Description
A comforting one-pan meal with tender Cajun-seasoned chicken, fluffy rice, and a rich parmesan cream sauce. Ready in 30 minutes, this easy weeknight dinner delivers bold Creole-Australian fusion flavors with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup jasmine or basmati rice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 small onion, diced
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated fresh parmesan
4 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp Cajun seasoning
1 tsp dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
Heat olive oil and 2 tbsp butter in a large ovenproof skillet
Sauté garlic and onion until softened (3-4 mins)
Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning
Cook chicken in skillet until golden (3-4 mins per side)
Add rice, remaining butter, thyme, and 1 cup water; stir to coat
Pour in heavy cream and parmesan
Bring to boil, cover, and transfer to oven
Bake 15-20 mins until rice is tender and chicken is 165°F (74°C)
Rest 5 mins before fluffing with a fork
Garnish with parsley
Notes
For dairy-free option: substitute coconut milk for cream and nutritional yeast for parmesan
Chicken can be cut into bite-sized pieces
Rice cooker alternative: follow manufacturer’s rice-cooking cycle
Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 days
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Oven-Baked One-Pan
- Cuisine: Creole/American Comfort
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Entire serving (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 150mg