Description
Spicy Cajun Chicken Skillet delivers a zesty Louisiana-inspired meal packed with bold flavors and quick preparation. Southern comfort meets fiery seasonings in this one-pan wonder that brings sizzling excitement directly to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 10 ounces (283 grams) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, juice reserved
- ¾ cup (170 grams) cheddar jack cheese, shredded
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 ½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning (for chicken)
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (for sauce)
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 2 teaspoons lime juice
Liquid and Fat Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) chicken broth
- ¾ cup (180 milliliters) heavy cream (or half and half)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1–2 tablespoons olive or avocado oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Garnish:
- Lime wedges
- Freshly chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Prepare the Rotel tomatoes by draining them, carefully reserving the liquid for later use in the sauce preparation.
- Craft a vibrant sauce mixture, blending the reserved tomato juice with complementary seasonings and ingredients.
- Meticulously coat chicken pieces with a seasoned flour blend, ensuring an even and thorough coverage.
- Sear the flour-dusted chicken in a hot skillet, developing a rich golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture and flavor.
- Remove the perfectly seared chicken and set aside, keeping it warm while preparing the sauce.
- Deglaze the skillet using the reserved tomato juice, scraping up the flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Introduce butter and minced garlic to the skillet, creating an aromatic base for the sauce.
- Sprinkle flour into the skillet, whisking continuously to create a smooth roux that will thicken the sauce.
- Gradually incorporate the prepared sauce ingredients, stirring consistently to prevent lumps and ensure a silky texture.
- Allow the sauce to simmer, reducing and concentrating the flavors until it reaches a desirable thickness.
- Fold in creamy cheese and a splash of tangy lime juice, creating a rich and zesty sauce.
- Gently return the seared chicken to the skillet, nestling the pieces into the luxurious sauce.
- Simmer the chicken in the sauce briefly, allowing it to absorb the complex flavors and reheat thoroughly.
- Plate the chicken, generously coating with the vibrant sauce.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with bright lime wedges for an extra burst of citrusy freshness.
Notes
- Capturing bold Cajun flavors requires precise timing and high-heat cooking technique for maximum taste development.
- Deglazing the skillet with reserved Rotel tomato juice helps build deep, rich flavor layers essential to this dish’s authenticity.
- Cheese incorporation at the final stage creates a creamy, luxurious sauce that coats the golden-seared chicken perfectly, elevating the entire culinary experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg