My shrimp are tough and rubbery. What did I do wrong?

You overcooked them. Shrimp cook incredibly quickly—often in just 3-4 minutes total. They are perfectly cooked when they turn pink and opaque and curl into a "C" shape. It’s better to slightly undercook them initially, as they will continue to cook when you add the rice and water to the pan.

Can I use a different protein?

Yes, absolutely! This recipe is fantastic with sliced, pre-cooked Andouille sausage (a classic Cajun sausage). Simply brown the sausage slices in the skillet first, then proceed with the recipe. Diced chicken breast or thighs would also be a great substitute.

What other vegetables can I add to this Cajun Shrimp and Rice?

This dish is a great way to use up extra vegetables. Try adding 1/2 cup of diced bell peppers (any color) or zucchini along with the scallions and tomatoes for an extra nutritional boost.

Cajun Shrimp and Rice: The #1 Ultimate 20-Minute Skillet Recipe

The Ultimate 20-Minute Cajun Shrimp and Rice Skillet

A quick and flavorful one-skillet meal, this Cajun Shrimp and Rice dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner. Large shrimp are sautéed in a skillet with butter, olive oil, garlic, and bold Cajun seasoning. Chopped plum tomatoes, scallions, and pre-cooked white rice are then added and cooked until everything is heated through. The dish is finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon.

Author: Evelyn
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Total Time: 21 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Sautéing
Cuisine: Cajun
Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails intact
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
4 plum tomatoes, chopped
2 bunches scallions, chopped
3 cups cooked white rice
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

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Instructions

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the butter, olive oil, and minced garlic until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add the Cajun seasoning and the shrimp to the skillet. Cook, stirring, for about 1 minute until the shrimp begin to curl.
Season the mixture with salt and pepper.
Add the chopped tomatoes and scallions to the skillet and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute.
Add the cooked rice and 1/4 cup of water. Continue to cook, stirring, for about 3 more minutes, until the rice is warmed through and the shrimp are fully cooked and opaque.
Stir in the chopped fresh parsley.
Serve immediately, with lemon wedges on the side if desired.

Notes

This recipe is designed to be a quick one-skillet meal, using pre-cooked rice to save time.
The entire dish comes together in under 10 minutes of cooking time once the ingredients are prepped.
Ingredient substitutions are noted as being available on the source website.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
Calories: 357
Sugar: 3-5 g
Sodium: 537 mg
Fat: 11 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g
Carbohydrates: 40 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 23 g
Cholesterol: 176 mg

Find it online: https://cookupjoy.com/cajun-shrimp-and-rice/