One-Pan Cajun Shrimp and Rice Skillet Recipe

When you need a tasty dinner but have limited time or energy, this Cajun Shrimp and Rice Skillet is an ideal choice. Everything cooks in one pan and the meal is ready in about 30 minutes.

This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. It requires minimal hands-on time: after the initial few minutes of preparation you can step away while the rice simmers, stir once midway, and then return to finish the dish.

After the rice has cooked, add the shrimp and, in just a few minutes more, dinner is ready to serve. Simple, fast, and full of flavor.

Despite the short cooking time, this dish is far from bland. Bold Cajun spices pair beautifully with the mild, buttery sweetness of shrimp and season the rice for a well-balanced, satisfying meal.

What Type of Shrimp To Use

For this skillet recipe, medium shrimp (often labeled 31-40) are ideal. That number indicates how many shrimp you can expect per pound. Medium shrimp cook evenly in a skillet and are just the right size for a satisfying bite without cutting.

Smaller shrimp work if you prefer bite-sized pieces, but jumbo or extra-large shrimp are not recommended because they can be awkward to eat in a one-skillet rice dish.

How To Peel and Devein Shrimp

If you buy shrimp with shells on, you’ll need to peel and devein them. If you buy frozen peeled and deveined shrimp, you can skip these steps.

Peel the shell: Flip the shrimp so the legs are up. Separate the shell around the legs and pull it away. You can also make a shallow cut along the back with a small knife to loosen the shell.

Remove the tail: For this skillet recipe it’s best to remove the tail. Some recipes keep tails on for presentation, but tails can be removed for easier eating here.

Devein the shrimp: The dark vein along the back is the digestive tract and can taste gritty. Make a shallow cut along the back and lift out the vein with the tip of a knife.

Rinse and dry: Rinse shrimp under cold water, remove any remaining shell or vein, and pat dry before cooking.

Homemade Salt-Free Cajun Seasoning Recipe

You can use store-bought Cajun seasoning, but making a salt-free version at home lets you control the flavor and sodium content. Mix the spices below and store any extra in an airtight container.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 tbsp paprika (regular)
• 1 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 1/2 tbsp onion powder
• 2 tsp oregano
• 2 tsp thyme
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp parsley flakes
• 1 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust from 3/4 to 1 1/2 tsp to suit your heat preference)
• 1 tsp chili powder

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine all spices in a bowl and mix until evenly blended. This yields roughly 1/2 cup of seasoning. Store in an airtight container.

Possible Additions for the Skillet

This recipe is simple as written, but you can easily add vegetables to make it a heartier, more complete meal. Use what you have on hand and mix and match to suit your taste.

Bell peppers: Red, green, or yellow peppers add sweetness and color.

Onions: Yellow, white, or sweet onions bring savory depth. Sauté them in butter before adding garlic for more flavor.

Carrots: Diced carrots add earthiness and a pleasant crunch.

Mushrooms: Sauté sliced mushrooms with onions for an earthy complement to the shrimp.

Spinach: Stir in baby spinach just before adding the shrimp so it wilts slightly and adds color and nutrition.

Feel free to mix vegetables based on preference and seasonality.

Cajun Shrimp And Rice Skillet Recipe

*Specific measurements and step-by-step instructions are provided below. Read the tips above for best results.

INGREDIENTS

• 6 tablespoons butter – melted, divided
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup Cajun seasoning, divided (adjust to taste)
• 2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

Note: Cajun seasoning heat varies by brand—adjust the amount to suit your taste.

Garnish:

• chopped fresh parsley

INSTRUCTIONS

Have all ingredients measured and ready before you begin, as this dish comes together quickly. Heat a large skillet over medium heat.

Add 3 tablespoons of the melted butter to the skillet. When the butter is hot, stir in the minced garlic, half of the Cajun seasoning, and the uncooked rice. Sauté for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to toast the rice slightly and bloom the spices.

Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 20 minutes, stirring once halfway through to ensure even cooking.

While the rice cooks, combine the remaining melted butter with the remaining Cajun seasoning. Place the shrimp in a bowl and toss with the butter-spice mixture to coat evenly.

When the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, stir the seasoned shrimp into the skillet. Cover and cook 3–4 minutes, until the shrimp turn pink and are cooked through. Serve warm, garnished with chopped parsley if desired.

Enjoy! Mary

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Yield: 6 servings

Cajun Shrimp and Rice Skillet

A quick and easy Cajun shrimp and rice recipe cooked entirely in one skillet. A 30-minute meal that’s perfect for weeknights.

Prep Time
5 minutes

Cook Time
25 minutes

Total Time
30 minutes

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons butter – melted, divided
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup Cajun seasoning, divided
• 2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

Garnish

• chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 3 tablespoons butter. When hot, stir in garlic, half the Cajun seasoning, and the rice. Sauté 1 minute, stirring constantly.

2. Add chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook 20 minutes, stirring once halfway through.

3. While the rice cooks, mix the remaining melted butter with the remaining Cajun seasoning. Toss the shrimp in the butter mixture to coat.

4. When the rice is tender, stir in the seasoned shrimp. Cover and cook 3–4 minutes until shrimp turn pink. Serve warm garnished with parsley.

Notes

Recipe provided by Make Your Meals.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 280Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 193mgSodium: 3592mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 20g

Nutritional information is a general guideline; values vary by product and brand.