Welcome to my kitchen, where today we’re spicing things up with a delightful Cajun Shrimp and Rice recipe. I’ve always been a big fan of making my own Cajun seasoning mix from scratch, finding that it adds a personal touch to every dish. Of course, if you’re pressed for time, a store-bought mix works just fine too!

Traditionally, I’ve used this spicy, aromatic blend with chicken, but I recently discovered it pairs incredibly well with tiger shrimp. The transition was a hit, especially with my boyfriend, who absolutely loved the new twist! This recipe features tiger shrimp drenched in a sweet and spicy tomato and cream sauce, inspired by the vibrant and rich flavors of Louisiana. It’s creamy, satisfying, and so packed with flavor that you might just forget to chat while you’re eating!

Why Will You Love this Recipe?

A Taste of Louisiana: This dish isn’t just about great taste; it’s about bringing a piece of Louisiana right to your dinner table with every bite. So, let’s dive into the cooking process and whip up a meal that’s bound to impress!
Nutritional Benefits: Shrimp is a great source of protein and provides essential vitamins and minerals, while the variety of spices like cayenne pepper can help boost metabolism. Plus, the tomatoes and bell peppers add a healthy dose of antioxidants and vitamins.
Versatility and Ease: One of the best parts about this recipe is its versatility. It’s simple enough for a weeknight dinner yet impressive enough for entertaining guests. Plus, you can easily adjust the spice levels to suit your taste or substitute ingredients based on what’s available in your pantry.

Recipe Variations

Cajun Tofu and Rice: For a vegetarian twist on this classic dish, replace the tiger shrimp with firm tofu.
Creamy Cajun Chicken and Rice: If you’re a fan of poultry, try substituting chicken for shrimp. Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces.

Tools You’ll Need

Deep Nonstick Pan

Other Recipes You’ll Love

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Cajun Shrimp and Rice

Author: Laura Bais

This is an American recipe for tiger shrimp in a sweet and spicy tomato and cream sauce. It's so creamy and delicious that you won't even have time to talk while enjoying this meal, which is inspired by the rich culinary traditions of Louisiana. I didn't use store-bought cajun seasoning, but rather homemade.

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Prep Time 25

Cook Time 25

Total Time 50

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Louisiana

Servings people

Calories 720.2 kcal

Ingredients

For the Shrimp:

1.1 lbs of cleaned shrimp
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1.5 teaspoons salt
0.5 teaspoons black pepper
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons of mixed Italian herbs
1/5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 red bell pepper diced
2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Red Sauce:

1.5 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic minced
3 tablespoons flour

For the White Sauce:

1 2/3 cups chicken broth
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon honey
0.5 teaspoon salt
A pinch of black pepper
1 teaspoon mixed Italian herbs
A pinch of cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons hot sauce

Additional Ingredients Before Finishing:

1 small can about 14 oz of chopped tomatoes, drained but liquid reserved
1 hot chili pepper finely chopped
2.5 oz Gouda cheese grated
1 tablespoon lime juice
2 teaspoons chopped parsley

Rice

1⅓ cup rice
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp rice vinegar

Instructions

Start by combining all the ingredients for the white sauce.
Pat the shrimp dry and season with smoked paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, mixed herbs, and cayenne pepper. Set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for about 1.5 minutes per side until they start to turn pink.
Add the diced bell pepper to the shrimp during the last minute of cooking.
Remove the shrimp and peppers from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the reserved tomato liquid to deglaze the pan, scraping up any bits that have stuck to the bottom.
Add the minced garlic and butter, stirring until the butter is melted. Cook for 2 minutes.
Sprinkle in the flour and stir to incorporate.
Cook for a few minutes until the flour starts to brown slightly.
Slowly pour in the white sauce mixture, stirring constantly to prevent any lumps from forming. Allow the sauce to come to a boil and thicken.
Once the sauce has thickened, add the chopped tomatoes, chopped hot chili pepper, and cook on low heat for about 10 minutes to meld the flavors.
At the end of cooking, stir in the lime juice, grated Gouda cheese, and the cooked shrimp and bell peppers. Mix well until everything is heated through.
Remove from heat and stir in the chopped parsley. Serve the shrimp over a bed of light rice or with fresh bread, garnished with extra parsley if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1portionCalories: 720.2kcalCarbohydrates: 72gProtein: 30.6gFat: 34.8gSaturated Fat: 17.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 241mgSodium: 3.661mgPotassium: 733.8mgFiber: 4gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 2.287IUVitamin C: 31.5mgCalcium: 300.3mgIron: 3.3mg

Keyword cajun, cajun seasoning

Before diving into the nutritional details, please review our Nutritional Disclaimer page for important context and clarifications.