Cajun Chicken Bell Peppers Spicy Delight (Print Version)

Tender chicken and colorful bell peppers with bold Cajun spices for a fiery, satisfying meal ready in 40 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts about 1.1 lbs cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 red bell pepper sliced
03 - 1 yellow bell pepper sliced
04 - 1 green bell pepper sliced
05 - 1 medium red onion sliced
06 - 2 cloves garlic minced

→ Spices & Seasonings

07 - 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
08 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
09 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper optional for extra heat
10 - 1/2 tsp salt
11 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Liquids & Fats

12 - 2 tbsp olive oil
13 - 2 tbsp water as needed

→ Garnish

14 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
15 - Lemon wedges optional

# Preparation Steps:

01 - In a large bowl toss the chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning smoked paprika cayenne pepper salt and black pepper until evenly coated.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes stirring occasionally until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
03 - Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Sauté the onion and garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add the sliced bell peppers and cook for 4-5 minutes stirring frequently until just tender but still crisp. If needed add 2 tablespoons of water to deglaze the pan.
05 - Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables. Toss everything together and cook for 2-3 minutes to combine flavors.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Remove from heat. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot with lemon wedges on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The spice blend creates layers of flavor that hit different parts of your palate
  • Everything cooks in one pan so cleanup is almost nonexistent
  • Those tender crisp peppers add sweetness that balances the heat perfectly
02 -
  • Do not overcrowd the pan when searing the chicken or it will steam instead of brown
  • Letting the peppers retain some crunch creates better texture contrast in the final dish
  • The water trick is essential for getting all those flavorful browned bits off the pan bottom
03 -
  • Cut your chicken and vegetables into uniform sizes so everything cooks at the same rate
  • Let your skillet get properly hot before adding the chicken to achieve the best sear