Cajun Shrimp and Rice Skillet

With a cooking time of less than 30 minutes, no chopping required and made entirely in one large skillet, this flavorful Cajun shrimp and rice is an easy weeknight meal that the entire family will love. Made with a handful of simple ingredients, you can make this delicious recipe as is or get creative and add extra vegetables and protein.

Jump to:

• The Ingredients
• The Method
• Leftovers and Storage
• Make it Your Own
• Serving Ideas
• And if you liked this Shrimp and Rice Skillet…
• Cajun Shrimp Rice Skillet
• Comments

Let me introduce you to Jambalaya's undervalued cousin.

With the same base of rice, flavor from homemade Cajun seasoning and presence of shrimp, you can see the resemblance.

And while you might like Jambalaya for her extra pizz-azz (like Andouille sausage and okra), you have to appreciate today's Cajun shrimp and rice recipe for her simplicity.

Because on busy weeknights, one-pan meals are the easiest way to get dinner on the table.

Especially when they require no chopping, are ready in less than 30 minutes total and are so full of flavor (like today's Cajun shrimp recipe!).

From this Ground Beef and Broccoli to this Lemon Herb Shrimp Rice Skillet (the Italian herb cousin of today's recipe), you can't really have too many simple rice skillet dinners in your back pocket.

The Ingredients

• Butter- Salted or unsalted butter will work. If you need the recipe to be dairy free, you can substitute avocado or olive oil.
• Rice- Use a white long grain rice such as basmati or jasmine rice.
• Cajun Seasoning- I like to use this homemade spice blend because it has just the right amount of heat for us but any Cajun spice mix you have on hand would work.
• Sea Salt- Adjust to your tastes- depending on the seasoning mix you use, you may need less or more.
• Shrimp- I prefer to use 71-90 count so that there is some shrimp in every bite, but large shrimp will work too. Thaw, peel and devein shrimp (I like to buy the peeled ones to reduce a step!), wash and then pat dry with a paper towel.
• Frozen Corn- No need to thaw.

The Method

1. Toast Rice. In a large nonstick skillet, melt the butter over medium high heat. Add the rice and stir for 2-3 minutes to lightly toast.

2. Cook. Add the seasonings and water and stir. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

3. Add corn. Stir in the corn to give it a chance to heat up as the rice cooks the rest of the way.

4. Cook shrimp. Immediately after stirring in the corn, spread the shrimp out on top and cover the pan with a lid. Cook for 4-5 more minutes until the water is absorbed, the rice is tender and the shrimp are cooked through and pink.

5. Serve. You can stir the shrimp in or leave it on top.

Leftovers and Storage

To Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To Freeze: Extras can be frozen for up to 3 months.

To Reheat: Add a little water (just a splash) and rewarm in the microwave until heated through.

Make it Your Own

• Up the Veges: Add up to 3 cups of additional vegetables. If using vegetables that are uncooked, saute them in a bit of oil or butter until partially softened before adding the rice in the first step. Some tasty additions would be:
  • Bell Pepper (or stir some chopped roasted red peppers in at the end)
  • White Onion
  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Spinach (Stir it in at the same time as the corn)
• Use Chicken Broth- Give the dish an extra flavor boost and use chicken stock or broth instead of water.
• Add More Protein- Stir in some cooked and chopped Andouille sausage or try it with black beans.
• Use a Different Type of Rice- If you would like to make this with brown rice instead of white rice, increase the water to 4 cups.
• Dairy Free- Use olive oil in place of butter.

Serving Ideas

Garnish the dish with:

• Green onions
• Fresh parsley
• Red Pepper Flakes

And try serving it alongside:

• A piece of crusty bread
• Santa Fe Salad
• Cajun Honey Butter Corn
• Mixed Berry Spinach Salad
• Roasted Asparagus and Carrots

And if you liked this Shrimp and Rice Skillet…

…you might also like:

• Lemon Herb Shrimp Rice Skillet
• Cashew Shrimp Alfredo
• Chimichurri Shrimp Bowls
• Cajun Spaghetti Sauce

More One Pot Meal Ideas!