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Cajun Sausage Rice Skillet - Easy One-Pan Dinner with Bold Southern Flavors

This Cajun sausage rice skillet is a quick, satisfying meal that delivers maximum flavor with minimal cleanup in just 30 minutes. It combines spicy sausage, colorful vegetables, and perfectly cooked rice in one pan with bold Cajun seasoning that creates a smoky, aromatic dish perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 pound beef or chicken sausage, sliced into rounds
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 green onions, sliced for garnish

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove sausage from skillet and set aside.
  2. In the same skillet, add diced onion and bell peppers. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the rice and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to toast the grains slightly. This helps the rice absorb flavors better.
  4. Add the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir to coat everything evenly.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and diced tomatoes with their juices. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
  6. Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and stir to combine. Cook for another 2-3 minutes to heat through. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  7. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve hot directly from the skillet.

Notes

Long-grain white rice works best as it holds its shape well. Adjust spice level by reducing Cajun seasoning for milder dish or adding more cayenne for extra heat. Recipe adapts well to vegetable variations like corn, okra, or celery.