One Pot Cajun Shrimp and Rice Recipe

Cajun Shrimp and Rice made in one pan on your table in just over 30 minutes!

Thisย Cajun Shrimp and Riceย is a symphony of flavors and textures all cooked in ONE POT for the ultimate easy weeknight dinner! It can be on your table in 30 minutes with whatever veggies you have on hand and perfectly al dente rice (thanks to my tricks!). Best of all, this recipe features homemade Cajun seasoning for optimal, not too salty, zippy, smoky, customizable Cajun heat.

top view of Cajun Shrimp with rice in a skillet


ย 

Why youโ€™ll this comforting
One Pot Cajun Shrimp

This Cajun Shrimp and Rice not only hits all the comforting, satisfying, dizzyingly delicious notes but leaves you with only one pan to clean!ย  Hereโ€™s more reasons to love this recipe:

  • Delicious. The Cajun Shrimp is a juicy flavor bomb all on its own, but swaddle it with palate pleasing textural rice, smoky, spicy sausage and veggies and you are blessed with layer up on layer of dynamic flavor and hypnotic texture that will have you savoring each rewardingly complex bite.
  • You are in charge of the heat!ย ย You can make this Cajun Shrimp and Rice as spicy or tame as youโ€™d like by adding more or less cayenne pepper โ€“ so donโ€™t be fooled into thinking this Cajun Shrimp has to be spicy โ€“ just flavorful!
  • One pan, meal-in-one.ย  Donโ€™t you just love a scrumptious, easy meal-in-one recipe?ย  ย One pan means only one pan to clean and your protein, veggies and carbs all cook at the same!ย  That makes this recipe perfect for weeknight dinners, or anytime you donโ€™t feel like doing dishes!ย 
  • Quick and easy.ย ย This Cajun Shrimp recipe may taste exquisite, but if you know how to heat oil and stir veggies, you can make this recipe.ย  Shrimp is actually the easiest protein to cook โ€“ and it cooks in minutes without any chopping.ย  Now all thatโ€™s left to do is sautรฉ the veggies and dump in the rest of the ingredients.
  • Versatile.ย  This Cajun Shrimp and Rice can work with whatever you have on hand.ย  Swap the veggies, omit the sausage, swap in chicken, etc.ย  As long as you stick to the Cajun spice blend and basmati rice, it will taste fabulous.
a bowl of Cajun shrimp and rice
ingredient icon

Cajun Shrimp and Rice Ingredients

This Cajun Shrimp recipe is seasoned with DIY Cajun seasoning made with easy-to-find, pantry friendly seasonings.ย  Youโ€™ll whisk the spice blend together and use some it on the shrimp and the rest of it with the rice.ย  If you donโ€™t already own all of the Cajun seasonings, I highly suggest you add them to your pantry โ€“ they are staples you will useย allย the time! ย Hereโ€™s what youโ€™ll need for this recipe:

What is Cajun seasoning made of?

  • Smoked paprika: rich, mild, sweet, and smoky made from smoked pimento peppers dried over oak fires then crushed.ย  It is not spicy, just flavorful. You can find smoked paprika with the rest of the spices at your grocery store.ย  I use it in ALL my Cajun and Mexican recipes, so I promise your purchase will not go to waste.
  • Garlic powder:ย  made from dehydrated garlic and lends the signature, garlicky flavor that compliments the heat. ย 
  • Onion powder: dehydrated, ground onion to bring the pungent onion flavor.
  • Salt:ย essential to enhance all of the other flavors.ย  You can generously season your Cajun Shrimp and Rice all you want but if it doesnโ€™t have enough salt, it will still taste bland.
  • Driedย oregano: walks the line between sweet, bold, earthy, and slightly bitter with a trace of mint.
  • Dried thyme: ย boasts a strong herbal flavor with sharp grass, wood, and floral notes. ย 
  • Pepper: adds a peppery kick without being too spicy.
  • Cayenne pepper: is what really brings the heat.ย  You can control the spice level of the homemade Cajun seasoning blend by using more or less cayenne pepper. ย 
showing how to make Cajun shrimp by mixing Cajun seasonings together
a skillet of Cajun shrimp with rice, sausage, onions, bell peppers and celery

How to make Cajun Rice and Shrimp

Letโ€™s take a closer look at how to make this recipe with step-by-step photos (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

  • Step 1: Season shrimp.ย  Mix Cajun seasonings together and add part of the blend to the raw shrimp; reserve the rest.ย 
showing how to make Cajun shrimp by mixing shrimp with Cajun seasoning
  • Step 2: Cook sausage and shrimp.ย  Add sausage and brown on each side, about 5 minutes.ย  Remove sausage to a plate using a slotted spoon.ย  Add the shrimp to the drippings and cook until opaque on each side.
showing how to make Cajun shrimp by searing shrimp in a skillet
  • Step 3:ย  Sautรฉ rice and veggies.ย  Sautรฉ rice, onions and all remaining Cajun seasoning for 3 minutes, then add the bell pepper and celery and sautรฉ 3 additional minutes.ย  Add garlic and sautรฉ 30 seconds.ย  Sautรฉing the rice with the veggies develops a protective outer shell that helps the grains keep some of its texture after they are cooked.
showing how to make Cajun shrimp by sautรฉing onions and rice then adding bell peppers and celery
  • Step 4:ย  Cook.ย  Add the diced tomatoes and sausage. Bring the pot to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to LOW. Simmer for 6-10 minutes, until the rice is tender.
showing how to make Cajun shrimp recipe by adding diced tomatoes and chicken broth to the pot
  • Step 5:ย  Combine. ย Stir in the shrimp, cover, and remove from heat.ย  Let the pot rest undisturbed for 10 minutes.ย  Drizzle in lemon juice and fluff with a fork. Dig in!
showing how to make Cajun shrimp with rice by combing shrimp with rice in a pot

    Tips for making Cajun Shrimp and Rice

    • Pat shrimp dry. This will help the Cajun seasonings stick to the shrimp and also help the shrimp sear and not just steam.
    • Donโ€™t overcrowd shrimp.ย ย Cook the shrimp in batches if needed so it has room to spread out and sear for the best flavor and texture.
    • Donโ€™t over-cook shrimp.ย ย Cook shrimp just until opaque for the juiciest shrimp.ย 
    • Cook the shrimp with the tail on.ย  Cook your shrimp with the tails on because the tail shells contain flavor that seeps out and we get more robust shrimp flavor, much like cooking meat on the bone.ย  Once your shrimp is cooked and resting you can remove the tails if you desire.ย 
    • Use the correct rice.ย  Set yourself up for success and use long grain basmati rice. Itโ€™s your insurance against mushy rice.
    • Rinse and drain rice thoroughly.ย  Rice contains a lot of starch, which is crucial to remove in this recipe so it doesnโ€™t cook up sticky and mushy.ย  To rinse, place the rice in a fine mesh sieve and thoroughly rinse under cool running water for several minutes until the water runs pretty clear.ย It will never be 100% clear, but you donโ€™t want to shortcut this process!
    • Use a ceramic/enameled pan:ย it is essential your pan has a nonstick protective coating like an enameled Dutch oven because the rice will soak up all the liquid, evaporating the protective barrier between the rice and the pan. Your rice will burn 100% of the time unless you use a ceramic or enameled surface pan.ย  This is the exact pan I used.
    • Bring the liquid to a simmer before covering.ย  The entire out surface of the liquid should be rippling before you add the lid. This can take several minutes, so be patient.ย  This cooking time counts towards cooking the rice and is why the total covered cooking time is so short. ย ย ย 
    • Cook on low just until the rice is al dente.ย  Once simmering, give the rice a stir, cover with the lid and turn the heat down to LOW. Cook the rice until it has a slight bite because it will continue to steam once removed from heat.
    • If the liquid evaporates before rice is done: ย add just a little water, keeping in mind that the rice will continue to steam for 10 minutes once itโ€™s removed from heat, so it doesnโ€™t need to be 100% cooked once the liquid is gone.
    • If the rice is still wet once itโ€™s done: donโ€™t worry, it will continue to absorb the liquid the last 10 minutes while steaming. When you remove the lid after 10 minutes, you can let the rice sit an additional 5-10 minutes to dry out.
    • Donโ€™t overcook the rice.ย  The cooking window is where you need to use your own discretion because lots of variables come into play such as the width of your pan, the quality of your pan (how well it retains heat), if your stove runs hot or not, how long it took to bring your rice to a simmer before covering, etc.ย  So, I recommend checking your rice at 5 minutes and covering and continuing to cook if needed until most, if not all, of the liquid is absorbed and the rice is almost done.
    • Let the rice rest.ย  Now the magical steaming.ย  After the rice is mostly cooked, give it one stir, remove from heat and rest, COVERED, for 10 minutes.ย  I donโ€™t understand all of the science behind it, except that it works.ย  It allows you to use less liquid so the grains arenโ€™t water logged and mushy and instead the rice finishes cooking in the hot, steamy pan.
    • Use a fork to fluff the rice:ย the tines help separate the rice grains, whereas a spoon can mash or break the grains.
    • Salt and pepper and cayenne to taste:ย make sure to taste and season as needed. If your Cajun Shrimp and Rice tastes like itโ€™s missing something, it is probably salt, pepper or cayenne pepper.
      a bowl of Cajun shrimp and rice

      Cajun shrimp VARIATIONS:

      This Cajun Shrimp recipe is delicious as written or feel free to customize it with different protein, veggies, etc.ย  Here are a few ideas:

      • Spice it up: as written with ยผ teaspoon cayenne pepper, the recipe is mild-medium spicy but still boasts tons of flavor.ย  If youโ€™re looking for more of a kick, increase the cayenne pepper to ยฝ teaspoon cayenne. You can also sprinkle individual servings with cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes so everyone can customize the heat. ย ย ย 
      • Skip the sausage:ย  the andouille sausage is a spicy, flavor explosion.ย  If you skip it, you will likely want to increase the cayenne pepper or else the Cajun Shrimp and Rice will taste pretty tame.
      • Add veggies:ย add additional chopped vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, zucchini, green beans, peas etc.
      • Swap protein.ย ย I know this is Cajun SHRIMP, but the recipe will also work with chicken as well.ย  Make sure to not chop the chicken too small, about 1-inch cubes and sear it, donโ€™t cook it all the way through before simmering because it will finish cooking with the rice. You can also use ground beef, ground turkey, etc.
      • Add cheese:ย  stir mozzarella, Gouda, cheddar etc. into the shrimp and rice or add a layer on top to melt.

      Cajun Shrimp Recipe storage

      What to serve with Cajun Shrimp and Rice

      We love this Cajun Shrimp recipe with a big salad andย cornbread.ย  It is also delicious with:

      Cajun Rice and Shrimp FAQs

      WHATโ€™S THE EASIEST WAY TO PEEL AND DEVEIN SHRIMP?

      I like to purchase shrimp that is already peeled and deveined so all the work is done for me!ย  ย If you purchase shrimp that is not deveined, it will still have the dark, sandy intestinal tract running along the back of the shrimp just beneath the surface.ย  Sometimes it will be very dark and sometimes it will be harder to spot depending on when the shrimp ate last.
      While eating the shrimp with the veins wonโ€™t harm you, it can add grittiness and distract from the clean shrimp taste so I highly recommended removing it.ย  To devein shrimp:
      1. Locate the vein in the shrimp running along its back.
      2. Make a shallow cut and use the tip of the knife to lift it out.
      3. The veins and shells can then be thrown away.
      4. Rinse the shrimp pat with paper towels to dry.

      DO I HAVE TO DEVEIN BOTH SIDES OF THE SHRIMP?

      You may notice a second dark tract running along the shrimpโ€™s belly even if you have purchased โ€œdeveinedโ€ shrimp. This tract is NOT another digestive tract but the nerve cord and does not need to be removed.

      IS THIS GLUTEN FREE?

      Yes, this Cajun Shrimp recipe gluten free!ย  No substitutions needed.

      ย 

      showing how to serve Cajun Shrimp and Rice by adding a serving to a bowl and garnishing with green onions

      Cajun recipes are always a favorite at our house, exploding with flavor in every bite! Donโ€™t miss these other Cajun winners: Cajun Chicken in Bell Pepper Sauce, Blackened Chicken Alfredo, Cajun Salmon with Mango Salsa,ย Cajun Chicken Alfredo Bake,ย Cajun Steak with Apricot Glaze,ย Cajun Pork with Pineapple Glazeย andย Cajun Shrimp Pasta.

      WANT TO TRY THIS cajun shrimp RECIPE?

      PIN ITย TO YOUR dinner, shrimp or one pot BOARD TO SAVE FOR LATER!

      FIND ME ON PINTERESTย FOR MORE GREAT RECIPES!ย  I AM ALWAYS PINNING :)!

      ยฉCarlsbad Cravingsย by CarlsbadCravings.com

      top view of Cajun Shrimp with rice in a skillet

      One Pot Shrimp and Rice

      ย This Cajun Shrimp and Riceย will have everyone clamoring for seconds and thirds!ย  Each and every bite is filled with succulent shrimp, juicy sausage and al dente rice laced with just the right kick of zippy, smoky, Cajun heat. To make this deceptively easy Cajun Shrimp recipe, youโ€™ll sear the sausage followed by the shrimp, sautรฉ the onions, bell peppers and rice, then add the broth and diced tomatoes and simmer to al dente perfection.ย  Of course, this recipe is incredibly versatile, add whatever veggies you like or omit them altogether, you can even swap the shrimp for chicken! ย Your family will especially love this Cajun Shrimp and Rice alongside sweet cornbread and roasted broccoli. Let's eat!ย 
      Servings: 6 servings
      Prep Time: 10 minutes
      Cook Time: 20 minutes

      Save This Recipe To Your Recipe Box

      You can now create an account on our site and save your favorite recipes all in one place!

      Ingredients

      Shrimp and Rice

      • 1 pound raw large shrimp, shelled, deveined, patted dry
      • 12 ounces Cajun/andouille sausage sliced ยฝ-inch thick (pork or chicken)
      • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
      • 1 1/2 cups long grain basmati rice, thoroughly rinsed and drained
      • 1/2 onion, chopped
      • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
      • 2 stalks celery, chopped
      • 3 cloves garlic, minced
      • 2 3/4 cups low sodium chicken broth
      • 1 15 oz. can fire roasted diced tomatoes, not drained
      • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
      • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
      • Green onions or parsley for garnish (optional)

      Cajun Spice Mix

      • 1 1/2 tsp EACH smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder
      • 1/2 tsp EACH dried oregano, dried thyme, pepper
      • 1/4 teaspoon salt
      • ยผ-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

      Instructions

      • Mix Cajun seasonings together. Add 1 ยฝ tablespoons to the raw shrimp in a bowl and stir to coat; set aside.
      • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 3.5 qt (or larger) braiser or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add sausage and brown on each side, about 5 minutes. Remove sausage to a plate using a slotted spoon; set aside.
      • Add 1 tablespoon oil to the drippings in the skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in an even layer and cook just until opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove shrimp to a plate using tongs. You can chop the tails off of the shrimp once cool enough to handle if desired.
      • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in the now empty skillet over medium-high heat. Add rice, onions and all remaining Cajun seasoning and sautรฉ for 3 minutes. Add the bell pepper and celery and sautรฉ 3 additional minutes (onions should be softened). Add garlic and sautรฉ 30 seconds.
      • Stir in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, tomato paste and the cooked sausage.
      • Bring the pot to a simmer, uncovered โ€“ the bubbles should reach to the center of the skillet (this can take up to 5 minutes, so be patient). Give everything a stir, cover, and reduce heat to LOW. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, checking and stirring at 5 minutes and replacing the lid. The rice is done when most of the liquid is evaporated and the rice is tender but slightly al dente. Add additional water or broth if the liquid has evaporated and the rice is not cooked yet.
      • Once the rice is al dente, stir in the shrimp, cover, and remove from heat. Let the pot rest undisturbed for 10 minutes.
      • Drizzle in lemon juice and fluff with a fork. Taste and season with additional salt or cayenne pepper to taste (I like more of both).

      Notes

      cooking Tips

      • Cayenne pepper:ย  ยผ teaspoon is mild-medium and definitely mild if you omit the sausage.ย 
      • Sausage:ย  the sausage is juicy and spicy and definitely a highlight in the dish, so I donโ€™t recommend skipping!ย  If you skip it, you will likely want to increase the cayenne pepper or else the dish will taste pretty tame.ย  Also be prepared to add salt to taste.ย 
      • Use the correct rice: set yourself up for success and use long grain basmati rice. The type of rice is important because it affects the texture and consistency and ratio of ingredients. Other types of rice can have too much starch and are destined to become mushy.ย 
      • If the liquid evaporates before rice is done: ย add just a little water, keeping in mind that the rice will continue to steam for 10 minutes once itโ€™s removed from heat, so it doesnโ€™t need to be 100% cooked once the liquid is gone.
      • If the rice is still wet once itโ€™s done: donโ€™t worry, it will continue to absorb the liquid the last 10 minutes while steaming. When you remove the lid after 10 minutes, you can let the rice sit an additional 5-10 minutes to dry out.

      How to Store and Reheat

      • To store: store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
      • To freeze: let the shrimp and rice cool completely. Transfer to a freezer safe container, label and freeze for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw completely in the refrigerator overnight.
      • Microwave:ย  microwave for one minute, stir, then continue to heat at 30 second intervals until warmed through. Donโ€™t overcook or the shrimp will become rubbery.
      • Stove:ย  reheat gently on the stove over medium-low heat just until warmed through.ย 

      Did You Make This Recipe?

      Tag @CarlsbadCravings and Use #CarlsbadCravngs

      Leave a Review, I Always Love Hearing From You!

      Reader Interactions

      leave a review

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      14 Comments

      1. Susan Jackson says

        When do you add the cooked sausage? With the shrimp?

        • Jen says

          Thanks for pointing that out! I had it in the step by step photos but missed it in the recipe card. You add it with the chicken broth and diced tomatoes in step 5. Just corrected, enjoy!

      2. lucien auger says

        I didnโ€™t see where you add n the sausage. I assume it is along with the shrimp at the end of cooking.

        • Jen says

          Thanks for pointing that out! I had it in the step by step photos but missed it in the recipe card. You add it with the chicken broth and diced tomatoes in step 5. Just corrected, enjoy!

          • Jason says

            Hi Jen,

            Could you please clarify Step 6? Did you mean removing the lid instead of โ€œreplacing the lidโ€?

            • Jen says

              Hi Jason, it means to replace the lid after stirring, so you continue to simmer with the lid on, stir, then replace the lid. Hope this helps!

      3. Janet Bradley says

        Love love love the sound of this recipe, J=Have one question, can I replace to diced tomatoes with tomato sauce?

        THank yiu, Janet

        • Jen says

          Hi Janet, you can replace the fire roasted diced tomatoes with regular diced tomatoes but not tomato sauce because it has a lot more liquid. Good luck!

      4. KAY UP says

        This recipe was so good and not complicated at all. I used one pot, one cutting board and maybe 2 bowls. It does have a zip to it which is fine by me

        • Jen says

          Thanks so much Kay, Iโ€™m so pleased you found it easy and delicious! The less dishes the better!

      5. Hilary says

        This is so good! Thank you for sharing it!

        • Jen says

          Iโ€™m so please you loved, it, thanks Hilary!

      6. Sandra Stewart says

        Jan, this is my first time leaving a remark about your recipes I have tried many and enjoyed all of them. Your Cajun Rice And Shrimp is to die for very flavorful.

        Thanks for all the great recipes I have tried, keep them coming.

        Sandra in Louisiana

        • Jen says

          Hello Sandra in Louisiana! Thank you so much for your kind words! I am thrilled that you loved this dishโ€™s flavors and that youโ€™ve enjoyed exploring my other recipes! I will definitely keep them coming!