One-Pan Cajun Shrimp and Rice
Spicy Cajun shrimp and fluffy tomato rice with the holy trinity of onion, pepper and celery, all cooked in one skillet. Like a weeknight jambalaya.
25% of it needs you at the counter
- Hands-on
- 10 min
- Cooking
- 30 min
- Serves
- 4
- Calories
- 370
- Protein
- 29 g
- Per serving
- $3.49
Why this recipe works
This is a simplified weeknight cousin of jambalaya: one pan, no sausage required, and it is ready in about 40 minutes. Turn the heat up or down with how much Cajun seasoning you use.
- Toasting the rice in the spiced fat seasons every grain.
- The shrimp go in only at the end, so they steam on top of the rice and stay tender.
- Onion, bell pepper and celery, the Cajun trinity, build the flavor base.
Ingredients
To serve
You will need
- 12-inch deep skillet with a lid
Method
Tap a step number to mark it done.
Season the shrimp
Toss the shrimp with 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning and set aside in the fridge.
Cook the trinity
Heat the oil and butter in the skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, pepper and celery and cook until soft.
Toast the rice
Stir in the garlic, the remaining Cajun seasoning and the rice and cook for 1 minute until the rice is coated and fragrant.
Simmer
Add the tomatoes, broth and salt and bring to a boil. Cover, lower the heat and simmer without lifting the lid until the rice is almost tender.
Add the shrimp
Scatter the shrimp over the rice, cover again and cook until pink and the rice is tender.
Rest and serve
Take off the heat, rest covered for 2 minutes, then fluff and scatter with scallions.
Techniques in this recipe
Raw Done: loose C Over: tight O When is shrimp done?
Shrimp are done when they turn pink and opaque and curl into a loose C. A tight O means overcooked and rubbery.
Read the full guide
Cook's notes
- Do not lift the lid while the rice simmers; the trapped steam cooks it evenly.
- Cajun seasoning blends vary in salt; taste before adding more salt at the end.
- Add sliced andouille sausage with the vegetables for a fuller jambalaya flavor.
Nutrition per serving
370 calories
$3.49 estimated cost per serving
Where the calories come from
| Protein | 31% of calories | 29 g |
|---|---|---|
| Carbs | 50% of calories | 47 g |
| Fat | 19% of calories | 8 g |
| Fiber | 4 g | |
| Sodium | 1120 mg |
Calculated from USDA FoodData Central values for the listed ingredients and amounts; not lab-tested. Cost estimated from average US retail prices.
Questions people ask
Can I use brown rice?
Yes, but add another ¾ cup of broth and simmer for about 35 minutes before adding the shrimp.
Is this spicy?
It is moderately warm. Use 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning total for mild, or add cayenne for more heat.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes. Thaw them in cold water for 10 minutes and pat dry before seasoning.
