Easy One Pot Cajun Shrimp & Rice is ready to eat in just 30 minutes, perfect for weeknight family dinners and a simply delicious shrimp and rice recipe! It’s so satisfying, easy-to-make, only requires a few ingredients, and full of cajun flavour; making it one of the best one pot meals everyone will enjoy! Serve for dinner, and perfect for leftover lunch the next day!
Easy One Pot Cajun Shrimp & Rice
All hail one pot dinners, they are definitely my favourite kind of weeknight dish, full of flavour, of course delicious with minimal cleanup! This rice and shrimp recipe comes together in no time, about 30 minutes to be exact. Start by sautéing your shrimp and aromatics, then add rice, broth, season and voilà, you’re finished!
Here are some other reasons why I love this Cajun Shrimp & Rice dish:
- Family friendly, with flavours the entire family will enjoy
- Make enough for leftovers the next day; perfect dish to reheat
- Easy prep, one pot, meal-in-one with easy cleanup
Check Out These Other One Pot Dinner Recipes
- One Pot Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage
- One Pot Italian Sausage, Spinach & Cheese Tortellini
- Healthy Hearty Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup
What is Cajun Seasoning?
Cajun seasoning is a delicious spicy flavourful blend of herbs and spices that usually consist of paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper and oregano. It perfect for adding good flavour to chicken, seafood, beef, pork and even veggies!
How to Make Homemade Cajun Seasoning
Make your own cajun seasoning by combining a mix of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, chilli powder, and cayenne pepper to create the delicious blend.
What Type of Rice to Use for Easy One Pot Cajun Shrimp & Rice
Use Parboiled Rice – it is recommended to use parboiled rice, as other rice grains may not yield the same results. Parboiling reduces the stickiness of rice (improves the texture) so it yields full and separate kernels once cooked. This is especially desirable in this dish.
What You Need to Make Easy One Pot Cajun Shrimp & Rice
Cajun Shrimp
Raw Shrimp
Cajun Seasoning
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder
Smoked Paprika
Salt
Freshly Cracked Black Pepper
Olive Oil
Cajun Rice
Parboiled Brown Rice
Butter
Onion
Garlic
Chicken Stock
Cajun Seasoning
Italian Seasoning
Green Onions
How to Make Easy One Pot Cajun Shrimp & Rice
- Preheat Oven – to 375°F (190°C).
- Season Shrimp – with cajun seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and black pepper; set aside.
- Saute Shrimp – Heat olive oil in a 10 inch skillet or deep pan over medium high heat. Add shrimp and saute until cooked, about 2-5 minutes, flipping at the halfway point. Remove and transfer to a plate; set aside.
- Saute Aromatics – melt butter in skillet then add onions, sauté for 2-3 minutes then add garlic and continue to saute until fragrant and softened.
- Add Broth & Rice – stir in chicken broth and rice. Season with cajun seasoning, italian seasoning, salt and pepper to taste. Increase heat to high and bring mixture to a boil, stirring frequently for around 3 minutes, then reduce heat to medium low and cook until most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Cover and transfer to Oven – for about 12-15 minutes or until rice becomes tender to your liking. Remove from oven, allow to rest for 10 minutes, stir in shrimp, garnish with green onions and enjoy!
Easy One Pot Cajun Shrimp & Rice Recipe Tips
Saute Shrimp First – once done cooking shrimp, transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm until the end, then stir into rice aor place on top and serve.
Gather and Prepare all Ingredients – especially if you want to get dinner on the table quick, prep your ingredients before turning on the heat!
Use a Large Skillet/Pan – ensure you use a pan that is big enough to hold rice after it expands during the cooking process. If you use too small a pan and rice will not cook thoroughly and evenly.
Do Not Overcrowd the Skillet – when sauteing the shrimp, do not overcrowd the pan as this will create excess liquid and reduce the temperature of the oil, resulting in soggy shrimp. For the best results, saute the shrimp in batches if needed.
Adjust amount of Broth or Stock – The amount of stock required varies depending on the rice used. Add more stock if rice grains are not cooked through to your desired tenderness and all liquid has been absorbed from the skillet. Keep in mind, the rice will continue to steam for approx. 10 minutes once it’s removed from heat.
Easy One Pot Cajun Shrimp & Rice – Rice Success Tips
Rinse and Drain Rice Thoroughly – this is crucial to remove the extra starch from the rice so it doesn’t yield a sticky and mushy result. To rinse, place rice in a fine mesh strainer and thoroughly rinse under cool running water until the water runs clear.
If Liquid Evaporates Before Rice is Done – add additional liquid (water or broth) a tbsp at a time keeping in mind that the rice will continue to steam for 10 minutes once it’s removed from heat, so it doesn’t need to be 100% cooked once liquid is gone.
If Rice is Still Wet – the rice will continue to absorb the liquid while it is steaming. Allow the rice to sit uncovered for an additional 5-10 minutes to dry out, fluffing with a fork first.
How to Know When Rice is Cooked
If the rice is soft and fluffy it is fully cooked and ready to be served. You can taste test a few grains to ensure it is as well!
What Type of Shrimp to Buy
- Wild Caught Shrimp – look for medium or large wild caught shrimp as opposed to farm-raised for the best flavor and texture.
- Raw Deveined Shrimp – opt for raw (not precooked), peeled and deveined shrimp. This will save you loads of time, as the only prep you need is to defrost and season the shrimp.
- Frozen Shrimp – frozen shrimp is frozen shortly after it’s caught which means it’s frozen at peak freshness! It’s often more economical and quite easy to find. Also, shrimp behind the counter is typically frozen and thawed in most cases.
How Do I Defrost Shrimp?
Here are two options for how you can defrost shrimp:
- Refrigerate Overnight Method (Easy): one of the simplest ways to defrost shrimp is in your refrigerator overnight. Simply remove the desired amount of frozen shrimp, place in a covered bowl and let them defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
- Cold Water Method (Quick): the quickest way to defrost shrimp is to add the desired amount of shrimp to a large enough bowl, then fill the bowl with cold tap water and let it sit for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, replace the water with new cold tap water and allow the shrimp to sit once again – repeat after 10 minutes if needed until fully thawed.
How Long Does Defrosted Shrimp Last in the Refrigerator?
After you have defrosted your shrimp, store them in the fridge for 1 to 2 days.
Should You Devein Shrimp?
Deveining shrimp is when you remove the dark line you see on the backs of shrimp which is their digestive tract. Removing it is a matter of personal preference and choice as it is not harmful to ingest. However, it can have an unappealing look and taste (adds a gritty/sandy texture).
TSS Good to Know – larger shrimp often have grittier veins, which can have an unappealing texture and look.
What’s the Easiest Way to Peel and Devein Shrimp?
It is highly recommended that you purchase shrimp that is already peeled and deveined. However, in the event that you purchase shrimp that is not, follow these simple steps to get the job done:
- Pull Off Head and Legs – if applicable, pull off the head and the legs.
- Remove Shell – . remove, starting on the head end, the outer shell leaving the tail attached if desired.
- Remove and Discard Vein – locate the vein in the shrimp running along its back (also underneath – however this is optional) and make a shallow cut about 1/4 inch deep and use the tip of the knife to lift it out and discard.
- Rinse & Rest – rinse the shrimp and lay on a paper towel to dry until ready to use.
Should I Cook Shrimp with Tail On or Off?
You can cook shrimp with the tail on or off, depending on your personal preference. However, much like meat bones, the shell and tail of the shrimp contain much flavour which adds to the overall taste of the dish.
How to Know When Shrimp is Done Cooking?
Shrimp like most seafood cook fairly fast around 2-3 minutes per side, as opposed to other kinds of protein. There are two visual cues you can use to ensure you don’t overcook your shrimp – colour and shape.
Colour – when done, shrimp turn pink and opaque in colour with some pink and bright red accents as opposed to their translucent gray raw state. Remove the shrimp from the heat source once it is fully opaque without any gray left.
Shape – as shrimp cook, their muscle contract which cause them to curl this is the second indicator of doneness. Often it is said that perfectly cooked shrimp have “C” shape while over cooked shrimp have an “O” shape. However, most shrimp unless using jumbo shrimp can be perfectly cooked with a “C” shrimp as well. Once your shrimp begin to curl, they are usually done cooking.
See My Story Below for Step-by-Step Instructions!
How to Store Easy One Pot Cajun Shrimp & Rice
To Store in Refrigerator – allow shrimp and rice to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container and place in the refrigerator for up to three days.
To Freeze for Later – allow shrimp and rice cool completely and transfer to a freezer safe container, label and place in freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, allow to thaw completely in the refrigerator overnight.
How to Reheat Easy One Pot Cajun Shrimp & Rice
This dish reheats well, so feel free to batch cook and make extra so you can enjoy leftovers for the next few days!
Reheat (Stovetop) – reheat over medium-low heat until warmed through to your liking. This is my recommended and favourite way to reheat.
Reheat (Microwave) – microwave for one minute, stir, then continue to heat in 30 second intervals until warmed through.
Easy One Pot Cajun Shrimp & Rice Meal Prep
This is a great recipe You can divide into small portions and do the meal prep as well.
What to Serve with Easy One Pot Cajun Shrimp & Rice
This is truly a one pot meal, meaning everything is prepared in one vessel whether a pot, wok, skillet, dutch oven etc. However if you are interested in adding a side to this recipe try these:
- Roasted or Steamed Veggies
- Veggie Foil Packets
- Garden Salad or Salad of your Choice
Easy One Pot Cajun Shrimp & Rice Recipe Variations
- Add Different Seafood – if you’re feeling like you want to add more seafood feel free to do so! Scallops, crayfish, prawns, mussels, clams work well in this dish.
- Include Veggies – add veggies that are more hearty and able to hold up during the cooking process i.e. carrots, zucchini, broccoli and cauliflower.
- Change the Protein – not a fan of seafood, none at home in the fridge/freezer? Swap the shrimp for chicken – breasts or thighs do well!
Other Delicious One Pot Meals To Try
One Pot Italian Sausage, Spinach & Cheese Tortellini & One Pot Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage
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Easy One Pot Cajun Shrimp & Rice
Equipment
- 10-inch Cast Iron Skillet
Ingredients
Cajun Shrimp
- 1 lb Raw Shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 tbsp Cajun Seasoning
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1/4 tsp Salt more or less to taste
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
Cajun Rice
- 2 cups Brown Rice parboiled, thoroughly rinsed and drained
- 3 tbsp Salted Butter
- 1 Onion sliced
- 4 Cloves Garlic minced
- 2 3/4 cup Chicken Broth or stock
- 1 tbsp Cajun Seasoning
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 2 tbsp Green Onions thinly sliced for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Season shrimp with cajun seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and black pepper; set aside for at least 15 minutes.
- Heat olive oil in a 10-inch skillet or deep pan over medium high heat. Add shrimp and sauté until cooked, about 2-5 minutes, flipping at the halfway point. Remove and transfer to a plate; set aside.
- Melt butter in skillet then add onions, sauté for 2-3 minutes then add garlic and continue to sauté until fragrant and softened. Stir in chicken broth (or stock) and rice. Season with cajun seasoning, italian seasoning, salt and pepper to taste. Increase heat to high and bring mixture to a boil, stirring frequently for around 3 minutes, then reduce heat to medium low and allow to simmer until most of the liquid has absorbed. Cover and transfer to preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes or until rice tender to your liking. Remove from oven, allow to rest for 10 minutes, stir in shrimp, garnish with green onions and enjoy!
28 Comments
Mila
June 23, 2021 at 4:34 pmHuge fan of one-pot meals! This was so easy and delicious. My husband took over at the stove for this one, and it came out marvelous. Great flavors and SUPER easy to make!
Taneisha Morris
February 1, 2022 at 12:16 amOne pot meals are my fave as well! Thanks so the feedback – glad you loved it!
Marta
June 23, 2021 at 10:07 pmYou had me at “one pot” and kept me with the flavor. Deep flavors, perfectly seasoned shrimp. Awesome meal.
Taneisha Morris
February 1, 2022 at 12:17 amLove to hear it! Thanks so much!
Lilly
June 27, 2021 at 10:16 pmI’ve made this twice now just this week! It’s so quick, easy, and flavorful! I’ll probably make it again tomorrow! 🙂
Taneisha Morris
February 1, 2022 at 12:24 amYes!! You know a recipe is amazing when it’s in the rotation of weekly meals!!
Chef Mireille
June 27, 2021 at 11:45 pmWho doesn’t love a delicious looking one pot dish to try! As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to try it as I’m a huge seafood fan. OMG I am so happy I did. As I eat shrimp every week, thanks for such a delicious recipe!
Taneisha Morris
February 1, 2022 at 12:25 amYou and I both – so glad you enjoyed! Thanks so much for the review!!
Jessica
June 28, 2021 at 1:20 pmI couldn’t believe that I was able to whip this up in just 30 minutes. So full of flavor and delicious. I think this will become part of our weekly lineup!
Taneisha Morris
February 1, 2022 at 12:25 amThat’s one of the best parts – quick, easy and delicious!! Thanks Jessica!
Chenée Lewis
June 30, 2021 at 12:29 amThis was the PERFECT weeknight dinner tonight! So easy to make and full of flavor. Thank you!
Taneisha Morris
February 1, 2022 at 12:25 amLove making this for a quick and delicious weeknight meal!! Glad you enjoyed the flavours!!
Kaluhi
June 30, 2021 at 7:45 amMost glorious one pot dinner i just made! Thank you for sharing this recipe! We loved it so so much and we’ll make it again!
Taneisha Morris
February 1, 2022 at 12:26 amThanks so much for a beautiful review!! So glad you enjoyed!!
Tamara
June 30, 2021 at 8:07 amI made this shrimp last weekend for the family, and it is definitely one of our most favorite dishes now! So much flavor, so simple to make, and everybody just fell in love. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Taneisha Morris
February 1, 2022 at 12:26 amLove recipes that the whole family enjoys – so glad yours did!! Thanks so much Tamara!!
Jen
June 30, 2021 at 11:16 amYesss to everything about this dish! The flavour were on point, the shrimp was seasoned to perfect and it was so filling. I’m adding this to my favorites!
Taneisha Morris
February 1, 2022 at 12:27 amIt’s such a filling meal and so perfect for leftovers! Glad you enjoyed Jen!!
Shanna
June 30, 2021 at 8:51 pmIf you’re looking for a flavorful one-pot meal — this is it! I loved everything about this recipe. The shrimp were tender, and the rice was equally great. 5 stars!
Taneisha Morris
February 1, 2022 at 12:27 amThank you so much for such a lovely review and the 5 stars Shanna!!
Britney
July 1, 2021 at 10:06 amThis dish was so good! Quick, easy, and super flavorful! We had this for dinner twice this week and loved it each time!
Taneisha Morris
February 1, 2022 at 12:28 amLove to hear that!! Thanks so much Britney – keep on enjoying it!!
Jazz
July 7, 2021 at 10:52 amThis didn’t last long in my house. It’s a flavor bomb and really only took 30 minutes to make! Will be in our rotation going forward.
Taneisha Morris
February 1, 2022 at 12:28 amHahah! Love this! Thanks so much for the review Jazz!!
Meesh
July 14, 2021 at 8:34 pmThis was absolutely delicious! Came together so quickly
Taneisha Morris
August 6, 2021 at 11:27 amYes!! I love that about this recipe, so quick and easy!! Glad you enjoyed!!
Maryanna
November 26, 2021 at 4:55 pmThis recipe was everything! I make it constantly for the family – thanks so much for sharing!
Taneisha Morris
February 1, 2022 at 12:29 amSweet music to my ears! So glad you all enjoy! Thanks so much Maryanna!