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To make Cajun Chicken & Rice Foil Packs, gather these key ingredients: - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chopped into bite-sized pieces - 1 cup long-grain white rice - 2 cups chicken broth (low-sodium recommended) - 1 bell pepper, diced (choose between red or green for color) - 1 cup corn kernels (can be fresh, frozen, or canned) - 1 small onion, finely diced - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (adjust based on spice preference) - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (for a deeper flavor) - 1 tablespoon olive oil - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish Each ingredient plays a role in creating a flavorful dish. The chicken provides protein, while the rice acts as a hearty base. The bell pepper and onion add crunch and sweetness. Garlic and Cajun seasoning bring in bold flavors. Using low-sodium chicken broth helps control salt levels. You can select red or green bell peppers based on your taste or mood. The corn adds a touch of sweetness and color. Do not skip the fresh parsley! It adds a pop of color and freshness when you serve. Cooking with these fresh ingredients makes the meal bright and tasty. {{ingredient_image_2}} First, chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces. This helps it cook evenly. Next, dice your bell pepper and onion. You can choose red or green bell pepper for flavor and color. Then, measure one cup of long-grain white rice and two cups of low-sodium chicken broth. Set these aside; you'll need them soon. Start by preheating your grill to medium-high heat. If you prefer the oven, set it to 400°F (200°C). While that's heating, grab a large mixing bowl. Combine the chopped chicken, rice, diced bell pepper, corn, onion, and minced garlic in the bowl. Drizzle one tablespoon of olive oil over the mixture. Sprinkle two tablespoons of Cajun seasoning and one teaspoon of smoked paprika. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix everything well, so each piece is coated in flavor. Now, tear out four sheets of aluminum foil, each about 12 inches long. Divide the chicken and rice mix evenly among the sheets, placing it in the center. Pour half a cup of chicken broth over each pile. This keeps everything moist while cooking. Fold the foil over the mixture and seal the edges tightly. Make sure there are no gaps for steam to escape. Place the packets on the preheated grill or in the oven. Cook for 25 to 30 minutes. Check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and that the rice is tender. Once done, remove the packets and let them rest for a few minutes. Be careful when opening them; hot steam will escape. After resting, serve the contents into bowls. For a nice touch, garnish with freshly chopped parsley. You can also add a lime wedge on the side for extra flavor. This makes your meal look vibrant and fresh. Enjoy this simple and tasty dish! To make sure your chicken is fully cooked, check the internal temperature. It should reach 165°F (75°C). Using a meat thermometer helps you avoid undercooked chicken. If you don’t have one, cut a piece of chicken open. It should be white, not pink. Adjusting spice levels with Cajun seasoning is easy. Start with two tablespoons, then taste. If you want more heat, add more seasoning. You can also use a milder seasoning blend if you prefer less spice. Making sure foil packets are sealed is key. Fold the edges tightly to keep steam inside. This helps cook the chicken and rice evenly. If the packets are not sealed, steam will escape, and your meal may not cook well. Avoiding steam escape is also important. When opening the packets, do it carefully. The steam is very hot and can burn you. Open them away from your face to stay safe. You can add extra ingredients to customize the recipe. Hot sauce gives a nice kick if you like heat. Different vegetables work well too. Try adding zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach for more color and nutrition. Fresh herbs can also enhance the dish. Consider adding thyme or cilantro for a fresh taste. You can mix and match to find your favorite flavors. Pro Tips Adjust Spice Level: If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the amount of Cajun seasoning or substitute it with a mild seasoning blend. Perfectly Cooked Rice: Ensure to pour the chicken broth evenly over the mixture; this helps the rice cook perfectly and absorb all the flavors. Custom Vegetables: Feel free to add any of your favorite vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms for extra nutrition and flavor. Rest Before Serving: Allow the foil packets to rest for a few minutes after cooking to let the flavors meld and make it easier to handle. {{image_4}} You can change the main protein in your foil packs. Shrimp works great and cooks quickly. Just toss in the shrimp with the other ingredients. Sausage is another tasty choice. Slice it up and mix it in. For a vegetarian option, use chickpeas or tofu. They soak up flavors well and add protein. You don’t have to stick with white rice. Brown rice is a healthy choice and adds texture. It takes longer to cook, so add more broth and time. Jasmine rice gives a nice aroma. It’s soft and pairs well with Cajun spices. Try wild rice for a nutty flavor and chewy bite. Switch up the spices to create new tastes. Lemon pepper adds a zesty kick. Garlic herb seasoning gives a fresh taste. You can also try adding a bit of cumin for warmth. Adjust the spice level based on your taste. Mix and match to find your favorite flavor blend. To store leftovers, cool them first. Place the foil packs in a shallow dish. Cover with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. You can keep them in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to store longer, freezing is a great option. For freezing, remove any foil and place the food in a freezer-safe bag. Squeeze out the air and seal it well. These packs can last in the freezer for up to three months. When it’s time to enjoy leftovers, you want to keep the flavors fresh. The best way is to reheat in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the foil pack on a baking sheet and cover it with foil. Heat for about 15-20 minutes. This keeps the chicken juicy and the rice fluffy. You can also use a microwave. Just place the food in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in short bursts of one minute until warmed through. Stir between each burst for even heating. Meal prep makes weeknight dinners easy. You can prepare the chicken and rice mixture ahead. Chop chicken and veggies and mix them in a bowl. Season them well, then store in the fridge for up to two days. When you’re ready, just fill the foil packs and cook. This saves time on busy nights. You can also make extra packs and freeze them. Just remember to label them with the date. You’ll have a tasty meal ready in no time! To ensure the chicken is cooked, check its internal temperature. The safe temperature for chicken is 165°F or 75°C. Use a meat thermometer to make this easy. Insert it into the thickest part of the chicken. If it reads 165°F, your chicken is ready! This step is key for food safety. Undercooked chicken can make you sick. Yes, you can prep these foil packs ahead of time! Start by chopping your chicken and veggies. Then, mix the rice and spices as usual. Assemble the foil packs but don’t cook them. You can store them in the fridge for up to a day. When you’re ready, just pop them on the grill or in the oven. This saves time on busy nights! Grilling is a great way to cook these foil packs. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. The main difference from baking is the smoky flavor. When grilling, place the packets directly on the grill grates. They should cook for about 25-30 minutes, just like in the oven. Be careful when opening them as hot steam will escape! This post showed you how to make tasty Cajun Chicken and Rice Foil Packs. We covered the key ingredients, prep steps, and cooking tips. You can customize it to suit your taste, substituting proteins or changing rice types. Storing leftovers and reheating is easy, too. Experiment with your favorite flavors. Packed with flavor, this dish is quick to prepare and perfect for busy days. Enjoy your cooking adventure and share your results!

Cajun Chicken & Rice Foil Packs

A flavorful and easy-to-make dish featuring chicken, rice, and vegetables, all cooked in foil packs for a convenient meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Cajun
Servings 4
Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 2 cups chicken broth (low-sodium recommended)
  • 1 piece bell pepper, diced (choose between red or green for color)
  • 1 cup corn kernels (can be fresh, frozen, or canned)
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (adjust based on spice preference)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (for a deeper flavor)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • for garnish fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions
 

  • Preheat either your grill to medium-high heat or your oven to 400°F (200°C), depending on your cooking method preference.
  • In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the chopped chicken pieces, long-grain rice, diced bell pepper, corn, finely diced onion, and minced garlic.
  • Drizzle the olive oil over the entire mixture, followed by an even sprinkling of Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Use a spoon or your hands to toss the ingredients together thoroughly until everything is well-coated.
  • Tear out four large sheets of aluminum foil, approximately 12 inches in length each.
  • Divide the chicken and rice mixture equally among the four sheets of foil, placing the mixture in the center of each sheet.
  • Carefully pour 1/2 cup of chicken broth over the chicken and rice portion on each foil sheet, ensuring even distribution.
  • Gently fold the foil over the mixture, sealing the edges tightly to create a pouch. Make sure there are no openings for steam to escape.
  • Place the sealed foil packets on the preheated grill or in the oven. Cook for about 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked (with an internal temperature of 165°F or 75°C) and the rice is tender.
  • Once cooked, remove the packets from the heat and allow them to rest for a few minutes before carefully opening (be cautious of the hot steam released).
  • Serve the delectable contents of the foil packs into bowls, and finish by garnishing with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant touch.

Notes

For an attractive serving, consider placing a lime wedge beside the bowls for an extra zing, and sprinkle a bit more parsley on top for color. Enjoy!
Keyword Cajun, chicken, foil packs, rice