Cajun Chicken Ranch Rice Bowls (Printable Version)
Cajun-spiced chicken, rice, ranch, and crisp vegetables deliver bold flavors in a simple Southern-inspired bowl.
# The Ingredients You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1 1/2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Rice
06 - 1 cup long-grain white rice
07 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Vegetables and Toppings
09 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
10 - 1 cup corn kernels, fresh, canned, or thawed from frozen
11 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
12 - 1 avocado, sliced
13 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
14 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
15 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
→ Ranch Drizzle
16 - 1/2 cup ranch dressing
17 - 1 tablespoon milk or water, to thin (optional)
18 - 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional, for extra flavor)
# Step-by-Step Instructions:
01 - Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, combine rice, chicken broth or water, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until tender. Remove from heat, let stand covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
02 - In a mixing bowl, toss chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, olive oil, salt, and black pepper until thoroughly coated.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together ranch dressing, milk or water if needed to reach desired consistency, and hot sauce if using.
05 - Divide cooked rice among four serving bowls. Top with Cajun chicken, cherry tomatoes, corn, cucumber, avocado slices, red onion, and chopped cilantro or parsley.
06 - Drizzle ranch sauce over each bowl and garnish with lime wedges for squeezing over the top. Serve immediately.
# Additional Tips::
01 -
- Ready in under 1 hour for a weeknight dinner
- Customizable with vegetables and protein swaps
02 -
- Dairy is present in ranch dressing: check labels for gluten and allergens
- Cajun seasoning can be spicy: adjust amount to taste
03 -
- Prep rice and veggies ahead for even quicker assembly
- Thin ranch sauce with milk or water for easy drizzling