Description
A flavorful Cajun chicken and rice dish that’s easy to prepare in a slow cooker.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
- 1 cup finely diced yellow onion
- 1 cup green bell pepper
- 1 tablespoon finely minced garlic
- 2 (14 oz) cans stewed tomatoes
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1/2 to 1 full tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 dried bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Green onions (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the veggies: Slice celery into 1/4-inch thick pieces, finely dice the onion, cut bell pepper into 1/4-inch pieces, finely mince garlic, and trim excess fat from chicken thighs.
- Add everything to the slow cooker: trimmed chicken thighs, sliced celery, diced onion, diced pepper, minced garlic, undrained stewed tomatoes, chicken stock, Cajun seasoning, ground cayenne pepper, and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper. Stir everything together.
- Cook on low for 5–8 hours or on high for 3–5 hours, until chicken can be easily shredded.
- Once everything is cooked, use tongs to remove the chicken thighs to a bowl and shred using two forks.
- About 30 minutes before serving, heat a pot on the stovetop to medium-high. Add butter and whisk until melted and frothy. Whisk in flour, one tablespoon at a time, until smooth.
- Continue whisking constantly until a creamy mixture forms. Lower heat to thicken slightly, then remove from heat.
- Pour the roux into the slow cooker and gently stir into the chicken-veggie mixture.
- Add the chicken back into the slow cooker. Stir, taste, and adjust seasoning if needed. Remove bay leaf and discard.
- For the rice, cook according to package directions or follow preferred method.
- Divide rice among bowls, spoon the slow cooker mixture on top, and stir together. Add chopped green onions if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- Note 1: Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to taste.
- Note 2: For a quicker method, refer to preferred basmati rice cooking instructions.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg