Cajun Fried Rice
Get ready to spice up your dinner table with this Cajun Fried Rice recipe! It's a delightful blend of fluffy rice, colorful veggies, and zesty Cajun seasonings that dance on your taste buds. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal or a fun dish to impress your friends, this one has got you covered!
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked rice day-old rice works best!
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 bell pepper red or green, diced
- 1 cup diced cooked chicken or shrimp optional
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots mix
- 3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning adjust to taste
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce or to taste
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped green onions for garnish
- **Substitutions:** If you don’t have Cajun seasoning feel free to make your own or use a mix of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and thyme. You can swap out veggies depending on what’s in your fridge, like corn or zucchini. And if you’re keeping it veggie, just omit the shrimp or chicken!
Instructions
- Heat Things Up: Start by grabbing a large skillet or wok. Drizzle in that vegetable oil and get it nice and hot over medium heat. You want it sizzling, but not smoking!
- Sauté Away: Throw in the diced onions and sauté for about 2-3 minutes until they soften up. Then, add the minced garlic and bell pepper, cooking until everything is fragrant and the peppers are slightly tender, about another 2 minutes.
- Time for the Fun Stuff: Now, if you’re using chicken or shrimp, toss that in next. Let it warm through for about 2-3 minutes. Next, stir in the frozen peas and carrots, and give it a minute until they're heated.
- Bring on the Rice: Here comes the rice! Gently add your cooked rice—day-old rice is best because it’s a bit drier and fries up nicely. Break up any clumps with your spatula, and mix it all together!
- Spice It Up: Now sprinkle on the Cajun seasoning, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir it like you mean it, coating all the rice and veggies with that delicious flavor. Allow it to fry for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let those flavors meld!
- Taste Test: Take a taste! Is it spicy enough for your liking? Adjust with more seasoning, salt, or pepper. Once you’re happy with the flavor, it’s almost time to eat!
- Garnish and Serve: Plate it up, sprinkle some chopped green onions over the top, and you've got yourself a beautiful Cajun Fried Rice!