Smothered Skillet Chicken Cajun: Savor the Bold, One-Pan Southern Sensation

Smothered Skillet Chicken Cajun

Introduction

Bring bold Southern flavors straight to your table with Smothered Skillet Chicken Cajun—a one-pan wonder that serves up tender, juicy chicken smothered in a luscious, spicy gravy. This recipe delivers robust Cajun seasoning, a perfect balance of heat and richness, and a creamy sauce packed with onions, peppers, and a hint of garlic. Ideal for busy weeknights, Smothered Skillet Chicken Cajun is both quick to prepare and an instant favorite for family dinners or casual gatherings.

Deliciously Unique Smothered Skillet Chicken Cajun

What sets Smothered Skillet Chicken Cajun apart is its powerful, aromatic spice blend and melt-in-your-mouth gravy. The chicken is seared to golden perfection, locking in flavors and juices, while the savory pan sauce is thickened just right for ladling over rice, mashed potatoes, or even pasta. It’s a meal that satisfies in every bite—comforting yet full of character.

Perfecting Your Spicy Cajun Gravy

Making the flavorful gravy is the heart of this dish. Sauteed onions and bell peppers create a sweet foundation, while flour and broth combine for a smooth, creamy base. Classic Cajun spices—smoked paprika, cayenne, thyme, and oregano—add depth and complexity. For extra richness, a splash of cream or a pat of butter finishes the sauce. Simmer until the mixture thickens and the flavors meld beautifully around the chicken.

Assembling Smothered Skillet Chicken Cajun

Once your spiced chicken is nestled in the silky gravy, allow everything to simmer gently. This lets the sauce infuse the chicken with bold Cajun character and ensures an ultra-moist, flavorful result. Serve right from the skillet—with plenty of sauce spooned over each piece.

Serving Suggestions for Show-Stopping Smothered Skillet Chicken Cajun

Pair your Smothered Skillet Chicken Cajun with white or brown rice, buttery mashed potatoes, or even creamy grits for true Southern flair. Garnish with chopped parsley or scallions for a pop of color and freshness. For a complete meal, round out with sautéed greens or roasted vegetables on the side.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes 4 generous servings. Each serving (with sauce, without rice or added sides) offers approximately 370–420 calories, 32g protein, 16g fat, and 11g carbohydrates. It’s a hearty, satisfying dish, perfect for fueling busy evenings.

Smothered Skillet Chicken Cajun (Recap)

Smothered Skillet Chicken Cajun is beloved for its bold seasoning, creamy gravy, and one-pan convenience. Flavor-packed and soul-warming, it’s sure to become a staple for weeknight dinner rotation or anytime you crave authentic Southern-inspired comfort food.

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/3 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional, for more heat)
Fresh parsley or scallions, for garnish

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

CookifyAI meal planning interface

Instructions

  1. Season both sides of the chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 4–5 minutes per side, until golden brown. Remove chicken and set aside (it will continue cooking later).
  3. In the same skillet, add onion and bell peppers. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook another 30 seconds.
  4. Sprinkle flour over vegetables. Stir and cook for 1 minute to create a roux.
  5. Slowly add chicken broth, stirring constantly, and cook until thickened and smooth (about 2 minutes).
  6. Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in heavy cream, thyme, oregano, and cayenne (if using). Return chicken to skillet, nestling it into the sauce.
  7. Cover and simmer for 8–10 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and sauce is velvety. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  8. Garnish with chopped parsley or scallions. Serve hot over your choice of rice, mashed potatoes, or grits.

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is an all-star for weekly meal prep and planning. Save and schedule this recipe to your weekly lineup to automatically consolidate ingredient amounts and create smart, organized shopping lists.

Planning Benefits:

  • Automatically calculates ingredient totals across all your planned meals
  • Sorts your shopping list by grocery section, saving you time at the store
  • Prevents duplicate purchases and forgotten essentials
  • Streamlines meal prep, making your week less stressful and more delicious

Pro tip: When planning a week of meals, schedule all your recipes in CookifyAI. If this recipe and another use bell peppers or chicken broth, your list reflects the total needed, taking the guesswork (and overbuying) out of meal prep.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Enjoy the Cajun comfort of Smothered Skillet Chicken, and simplify your busy weeknight meal prep with smart planning solutions!

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