Cajun Chicken With Sweet Peppers: A Flavor-Packed One-Pan Meal

Cajun Chicken With Sweet Peppers is a bold, colorful, and flavor-packed one-pan meal that brings the taste of the bayou to your table. With vibrant bell peppers, juicy chicken breasts, and a powerful punch of Cajun seasoning, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinner parties. It’s quick to prepare, easy to clean up, and incredibly satisfying. If you’re craving something hearty, spicy, and deeply flavorful, this is the recipe you need.

This article walks you through how to make the perfect Cajun chicken skillet—from seasoning your chicken to sautéing the vegetables and assembling the final dish. You’ll also learn expert tips for flavor boosts, delicious variations, and smart storage solutions. Let’s dive in and bring the sizzle of Cajun cooking right into your home kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Cajun Chicken Recipe

1. Big, Bold Flavor

Cajun seasoning delivers the perfect balance of heat and depth. Combined with the natural sweetness of bell peppers, every bite is a flavor explosion.

2. Fast and Fuss-Free

You can have this entire meal on the table in just 30 minutes. One pan means minimal dishes and maximum flavor.

3. Healthy and Satisfying

With lean protein from chicken and fiber-rich vegetables, this dish is a wholesome choice that won’t weigh you down.

4. Flexible and Customizable

Add more veggies, swap in shrimp, or dial the heat up or down. It’s easy to tailor this recipe to suit your preferences.

5. Kid-Approved

Even picky eaters tend to love this flavorful combo. The mild sweetness of bell peppers balances the Cajun spice beautifully.

Recipe Details

• Serving Size: 4 servings
• Total Calories: Approximately 360 calories per serving
• Cuisine: Cajun / American Southern
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

How to Make Cajun Chicken With Sweet Peppers

Step 1: Season the Chicken

Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Rub them all over with Cajun seasoning, ensuring each piece is fully coated.

Step 2: Heat the Oil

In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.

Step 3: Sear the Chicken

Add the chicken breasts to the pan. Sear for 5 to 7 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temperature should be 165°F or 75°C). Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.

Step 4: Cook the Vegetables

In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed. Toss in the sliced bell peppers and onions. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, or until tender-crisp and slightly caramelized.

Step 5: Add Garlic

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 6: Deglaze with Broth

Pour in the chicken broth. Stir, scraping up the flavorful brown bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.

Step 7: Simmer with Chicken

Return the chicken to the skillet. Let everything simmer together for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

Step 8: Adjust Seasoning

Taste and add extra salt, pepper, or Cajun seasoning if needed.

Step 9: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle with chopped parsley just before serving.

How to Serve Cajun Chicken With Sweet Peppers

Elegant Plating

Plate each chicken breast over a bed of sautéed peppers and spoon a bit of the broth over the top.

Delicious Pairings

Serve with steamed white rice, quinoa, mashed potatoes, or cornbread. Each makes a perfect base to soak up the flavorful juices.

Meal Prep Tip

This dish reheats beautifully. Pack individual portions with rice or grains for an easy grab-and-go lunch.

Expert Tips for Maximum Flavor

• Use Homemade Cajun Seasoning: Mix smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, thyme, oregano, and black pepper for a fresher, bolder taste.
• Marinate If You Can: For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in Cajun seasoning and a splash of olive oil for 30 minutes before cooking.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Give the chicken space to sear properly and develop a flavorful crust.
• Finish with Citrus: A squeeze of lemon or lime juice just before serving brightens the dish.

Fun Variations to Try

Spicy Shrimp Skillet

Swap the chicken for jumbo shrimp. Cook them quickly and reduce the simmering time.

Creamy Cajun Chicken

Add a splash of cream or a spoonful of cream cheese at the end for a silky sauce.

Veggie Overload

Include mushrooms, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes for even more veggie goodness.

Pasta-Style Twist

Serve over cooked linguine or penne for a Cajun chicken pasta dinner.

How to Store and Reheat

Refrigeration

Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Freezing

Let the dish cool completely, then freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

Warm in a skillet over medium heat until heated through, or microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each.

Tools You’ll Need

• Large skillet or sauté pan
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Measuring spoons
• Meat thermometer
• Tongs for flipping the chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely. Chicken thighs are juicy and flavorful. Just adjust cooking time as needed.

Is Cajun seasoning very spicy?

It can be, depending on the brand. Adjust the amount based on your heat preference.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes. This recipe contains no dairy unless you add cream or cheese for variation.

What’s the best way to cut bell peppers?

Slice them into long, thin strips for even cooking and visual appeal.

Conclusion

Cajun Chicken With Sweet Peppers is a simple yet deeply satisfying dish that brings Southern flair to your dinner table. With juicy, well-seasoned chicken and colorful sautéed peppers in every bite, it’s a meal that looks as good as it tastes. Whether you serve it over rice, with crusty bread, or wrapped in tortillas, this one-pan wonder is bound to become a regular in your rotation.

Don’t be surprised if your family requests it week after week. It’s fast, flavorful, and everything a weeknight dinner should be. Give it a try—and let the spices of Cajun country bring a little heat and a lot of happiness to your home.

Save

Cajun Chicken With Sweet Peppers: A Flavor-Packed One-Pan Meal

Recipe by SamCourse: DinnerCuisine: Cajun, AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Calories

360

kcal

Total time

25

minutes

This Cajun chicken with sweet peppers recipe is a bold and flavorful skillet meal made with juicy chicken breast, colorful bell peppers, and zesty Cajun seasoning. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a perfect low-carb, high-protein dinner for busy weeknights or meal prep.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 red bell pepper, sliced

• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced

• 1 green bell pepper, sliced

• 1 onion, sliced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 cup chicken broth

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

• Season the Chicken
• Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Rub them all over with Cajun seasoning, ensuring each piece is fully coated.
• Heat the Oil
• In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.
• Sear the Chicken
• Add the chicken breasts to the pan. Sear for 5 to 7 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temperature should be 165°F or 75°C). Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
• Cook the Vegetables
• In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed. Toss in the sliced bell peppers and onions. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, or until tender-crisp and slightly caramelized.
• Add Garlic
• Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
• Deglaze with Broth
• Pour in the chicken broth. Stir, scraping up the flavorful brown bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.
• Simmer with Chicken
• Return the chicken to the skillet. Let everything simmer together for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
• Adjust Seasoning
• Taste and add extra salt, pepper, or Cajun seasoning if needed.
• Garnish and Serve
• Sprinkle with chopped parsley just before serving.

Notes

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