Description
This Cajun Rice is a bold and flavorful copycat recipe inspired by Popeyes’ famous side dish! Made with ground beef, chicken gizzards, Cajun spices, and long-grain rice, this dish is hearty, spicy, and packed with Southern flavors. Whether you’re looking for quick dinner ideas, high-protein meals, or recipes to try, this easy one-pot rice dish is a must-make!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 cups long-grain rice
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup chicken gizzards, minced
- 1/2 green bell pepper, minced
- 1/2 yellow onion, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp thyme
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for extra heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the meat: Heat olive oil in a large pot or skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Sauté the aromatics: Add the minced chicken gizzards, bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften.
- Add spices: Stir in the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, thyme, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and pepper. Mix well to coat the meat and vegetables.
- Simmer with broth: Pour in the beef broth and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cook the rice: Add the rice and bay leaf, stirring to combine. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and cook for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Fluff and serve: Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot!
Notes
- Substitute chicken gizzards with chopped chicken livers for a richer flavor.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning to taste for more or less heat.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 65mg