Description
Spicy Cajun chicken recipe delivers a fiery Louisiana-inspired dish packed with bold flavors and aromatic spices. Home cooks can easily recreate this zesty meal that brings Southern culinary excitement directly to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 10 oz (285 g) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, juice reserved
- ¾ cup cheddar jack cheese, shredded
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- ¾ cup heavy cream (or substitute with half and half)
- 3 tbsps Cajun seasoning
- 3 tbsps butter
- 3 tbsps flour
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1–2 tbsps olive oil (or avocado oil)
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tsps hot sauce
- 2 tsps lime juice
- 1 tsp brown sugar (light)
- ½ tsp mustard powder
- ½ tsp oregano
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- Lime wedges
- Fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Protein Preparation: Slice chicken breasts lengthwise into thin, uniform portions using gentle mallet tenderizing for consistent cooking.
- Seasoning Process: Coat chicken slices generously with Cajun spice blend, lightly dust with flour, ensuring even coverage across all surfaces.
- Searing Stage: Preheat skillet to medium-high heat with thin oil layer, creating optimal browning conditions for chicken pieces.
- Flavor Development: Sear chicken individually, achieving golden-brown exterior (4-5 minutes per side), then transfer to holding plate while developing rich caramelized notes.
- Sauce Foundation: Deglaze skillet with tomato liquid, extracting concentrated browned bits to amplify underlying flavor complexity.
- Aromatic Infusion: Introduce minced garlic and butter, allowing fragrant elements to bloom and release intricate taste dimensions.
- Sauce Construction: Integrate flour smoothly, eliminating raw undertones and establishing velvety sauce base through continuous stirring.
- Liquid Integration: Pour sauce mixture gradually, whisking consistently to prevent lumping and ensure silky texture.
- Sauce Refinement: Bring to boil, then reduce to gentle simmer, allowing liquid to condense and thicken over 5-7 minutes.
- Cheese Incorporation: Fold shredded cheese slowly, stirring until completely melted and harmoniously blended into sauce.
- Final Flavor Adjustment: Add lime juice for bright accent, then return seared chicken to skillet for complete flavor saturation.
- Serving Presentation: Simmer uncovered, spooning sauce over chicken (4-5 minutes), then garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges, serving immediately alongside complementary accompaniments.
Notes
- Slice with Precision: Pound chicken breasts gently to achieve uniform thickness, ensuring even cooking and tender texture.
- Seasoning Technique: Massage Cajun spice blend thoroughly into chicken, creating a flavorful crust that locks in moisture.
- Searing Secrets: Use medium-high heat and minimal oil to develop a golden-brown exterior that seals in juices and creates rich flavor layers.
- Sauce Mastery: Whisk sauce continuously to prevent lumps, allowing it to thicken naturally and coat chicken with a smooth, luxurious finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg