Description
Spicy Louisiana shrimp dirty rice delivers bold Cajun flavors in one skillet, blending succulent shrimp with hearty rice and zesty seasonings. Creole traditions shine through this quick, satisfying meal that brings Southern comfort directly to your plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 0.5 pound (227 grams) ground sausage
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 green onions, chopped
Grains and Seasonings:
- 1.5 cups long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Infuse rice with robust chicken broth, preparing according to package guidelines for enhanced depth of flavor.
- Sear andouille sausage in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat until golden and crisp, then transfer to a separate plate.
- Utilize the same skillet to caramelize the holy trinity of Cajun cooking – onions, bell peppers, and celery – until translucent and fragrant.
- Introduce minced garlic and aromatic spices, allowing them to bloom and release their intense flavors for approximately 30-45 seconds.
- Incorporate succulent shrimp, cooking until they transform into a vibrant pink hue and reach perfect tenderness, roughly 2-3 minutes.
- Reintroduce the reserved sausage to the skillet, creating a harmonious blend of proteins and vegetables.
- Gently fold the prepared rice into the mixture, ensuring even distribution of ingredients and spices.
- Splash Worcestershire sauce for an additional layer of umami complexity, stirring thoroughly to integrate all components.
- Finish the dish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped green onions, providing a bright, zesty garnish.
- Serve immediately while piping hot, capturing the vibrant Cajun essence of the dish.
Notes
- Boost rice flavor by using chicken broth instead of water, creating a deeper, more savory base for the entire dish.
- Ensure shrimp are cooked perfectly by watching for a pink color and slight curl, avoiding overcooking which can make them tough and rubbery.
- For a healthier version, swap pork sausage with turkey sausage and use brown rice to increase fiber and nutritional value.
- Make the recipe gluten-free by selecting gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and checking seasoning ingredients for potential wheat-based additives.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Creole
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 340 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg