Crockpot Cajun Chicken and Sausage Rice

Crockpot Cajun chicken and sausage rice is an Southern inspired one-pot rice dish that is full of flavor. This hearty rice meal combines chicken, smoked sausage, the holy trinity, and Cajun seasoning. Made in the crockpot with uncooked rice, this easy recipe is perfect for a filling, fuss-free dinner.

Ingredients For Crockpot Pot Cajun Chicken and Sausage Rice

• Chicken Thighs: Chicken thighs are ideal for slow cooker recipes because they stay tender and juicy as they cook. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are the best option. Bone-in chicken thighs can also be used, but you will need to remove the bones before serving. 
• White Rice: Long-grain or short-grain white rice works for this recipe. The rice cooks directly in the slow cooker with the broth, vegetables, chicken, and seasonings, absorbing all the Cajun flavor. Rinse the rice before adding it to help remove excess starch and improve the texture. Avoid instant rice or quick-cooking rice because it can become mushy.
• Chicken Broth: Chicken broth is the main cooking liquid for the rice. It adds more flavor than water and helps the rice cook while keeping the dish savory. Low-sodium chicken broth is recommended because Cajun seasoning can vary in saltiness.
• The Holy Trinity: The holy trinity of Cajun cooking is a mixture of bell pepper, celery, and onion. This combination is the flavor base for many Cajun and Creole recipes. It is similar to traditional mirepoix, but uses bell pepper instead of carrots. As the vegetables cook, they add savory flavor and aroma to the chicken and rice.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic adds bold, savory flavor that works well with the Cajun seasoning, chicken, and vegetables. Minced garlic is best because it distributes evenly throughout the dish.
• Bay Leaf: Bay leaf adds subtle depth to the dish while it cooks. It does not overpower the recipe, but it helps round out the flavor of the broth, rice, and seasonings. Be sure to remove the bay leaf before serving.
• Cajun seasoning: Cajun seasoning gives this chicken and rice its signature flavor. Most Cajun blends include spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, black pepper, oregano, and thyme. Store-bought blends can vary in heat and salt level, so adjust the added salt based on the brand you use.
• Other seasonings: dried thyme, salt, pepper

How To Make Cajun Chicken and Sausage Rice In The Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker

1. Season the chicken with 2 tablespoons of the Cajun seasonings. Add the seasoned chicken, smoked sausage, rice, broth, garlic, onion, bell pepper, celery, bay leaf, 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, thyme, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker. Stir to mix well. Pat down so all of the food is submerged in the broth. There should be enough broth to barely cover the food. 
2.  Cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or LOW 6 to 8.

Instant Pot 

1. Add the rice, broth,  bell pepper, celery, onion, garlic, 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper to the Instant Pot. Stir to mix well.
2. Season the chicken with 2 tablespoons of the Cajun seasonings. Add the seasoned chicken to the slow cooker on top of the rice. 
3. Close lid the and seal the valve. Set to high pressure and cook for 10 minutes. When cooking time is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes then quick release any remaining pressure.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• One-pot slow cooker meal: The chicken, sausage, rice, vegetables, broth, and seasonings cook together in the crockpot.
• Packed with protein: Chopped chicken and diced sausage make this rice dish hearty and filling.
• Made with uncooked rice: The white rice cooks directly in the seasoned broth and absorbs all the Cajun flavor.
• Bold Cajun flavor: Cajun seasoning, garlic, thyme, bay leaf, and the holy trinity give this dish plenty of flavor.
• Great for busy weeknights: This is an easy comfort food recipe with simple prep.
• Family-friendly: The spice level can be adjusted depending on the Cajun seasoning and sausage you use.
• Customizable: Use smoked sausage, andouille sausage, chicken thighs, chicken breasts, or add shrimp near the end.

FAQs & Tips

What cut of chicken should you use?

I like to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs with this recipe. Yes, you can substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts.

What type of rice should you use?

This rice recipe is meant to use white rice. This can be long-grain or short-grain. Rinse the rice before adding it to the slow cooker.

What kind of sausage should you use?

This calls for a smoked (cooked) sausage.  Spice this recipe up and use andouille sausage!

Do you have to use smoked sausage?

Nope. If you don’t want to use the sausage, omit it. If you do, I suggest adding more chicken in it’s place. 

What happens if the rice is undercooked?

You will know this is done with all of the liquid is absorbed and the edges of the food in the pot starts to crisp. If your Cajun chicken and sausage rice comes out slightly under-cooked, cooking it a few minutes should do the trick. If you find that your rice it too wet (excess liquid), try taking the lid off and letting it continue to cook on the WARM setting until the liquid is evaporated. This should not take more than a few minutes.

What if your rice mushy?

Rice can become mushy if it cooks too long or if too much liquid is added. Slow cookers vary, so check the rice near the end of the cooking time and turn the slow cooker off once the rice is tender.

Can you use the WARM setting with this recipe?

No. When rice is left on a stove-top burner too long, even at a low heat, it will overcook & burn. Using a slow cooker is no different. After cooking time has completed, unplug the slow cooker or Instant Pot. Otherwise the food will continue to cook and the rice will burn. Even on the WARM setting.  

How do you store leftovers?

Store leftover Cajun chicken and sausage rice in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 

What size slow cooker did you use?

I use a  6-quart slow cooker or Instant Pot for this recipe.

Rice Recipes 

• Chicken & Rice

• Ground Beef Spanish Rice

• Mexican Beans & Rice

• Red Beans  & Rice w/Sausage

• Curry Chicken & Rice

Crockpot Cajun Chicken and Sausage Rice

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Crockpot Cajun chicken and sausage rice is an Southern inspired one-pot rice dish that is full of flavor. This hearty rice meal combines chicken, smoked sausage, the holy trinity, and Cajun seasoning. Made in the crockpot with uncooked rice, this easy recipe is perfect for a filling, fuss-free dinner.

• Author: Shannon Epstein
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Pressure Cooking, Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into pieces
• 12 ounces smoked sausage, diced
• 1 cup white rice, rinsed
• 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup onion, diced
• 1 large celery rib, sliced
• 1 large red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt (or more)
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tablespoon oil (for Instant Pot only)

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Instructions

Slow Cooker

1. Season the chicken with 2 tablespoons of the Cajun seasonings. Add the seasoned chicken, smoked sausage, rice, broth, garlic, onion, bell pepper, celery, bay leaf, 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, thyme, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker. Stir to mix well. Pat down so all of the food is submerged in the broth. There should be enough broth to barely cover the food.
2.  Cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or LOW 6 to 8.

Instant Pot 

1. Add the rice, broth,  bell pepper, celery, onion, garlic, 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper to the Instant Pot. Stir to mix well.
2. Season the chicken with 2 tablespoons of the Cajun seasonings. Add the seasoned chicken to the slow cooker on top of the rice.
3. Close lid the and seal the valve. Set to high pressure and cook for 10 minutes. When cooking time is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes then quick release any remaining pressure.

Notes

• Different types of rice can have slightly different cook times as do slow cookers. Your rice may take longer or shorter to cook.

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