Description
Cajun Chicken with Bell Peppers is a vibrant and flavorful weeknight meal featuring succulent chicken breasts seasoned with a bold Cajun spice blend, combined with crisp, colorful bell peppers and sautéed onions and garlic. This quick and easy recipe delivers a spicy, aromatic punch with a perfect balance of heat and sweetness, making it ideal for family dinners, meal prep, or versatile serving options like wraps and rice bowls.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasoning and Oil
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (blend of paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, dried herbs)
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Slice the bell peppers and onions into thin strips, mince the garlic, and pat the chicken breasts dry to ensure the seasoning adheres well.
- Season the Chicken: In a bowl, coat the chicken breasts evenly with the Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper to infuse them with robust flavor.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil if needed. Sauté the onion and garlic until fragrant and translucent, then add the bell peppers and cook for 4-5 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp.
- Combine and Finish: Slice the rested chicken into strips and return to the skillet with the bell peppers and onions. Stir to combine and let the flavors meld for a minute or two. Finish by squeezing fresh lemon juice over the dish for a bright, zesty finish.
Notes
- Use freshly ground Cajun spices for a more vibrant flavor compared to pre-mixed blends.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook chicken in batches if necessary to ensure proper searing.
- Allow the chicken to rest after cooking to keep it juicy and tender.
- Add bell peppers last to keep them crisp and colorful; overcooking can make them mushy.
- Adjust the spice level by modifying the amount of cayenne pepper or adding jalapeños for extra heat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Cajun chicken, bell peppers, spicy chicken, quick dinner, healthy chicken recipe, sautéed vegetables, Cajun spice