Description
Spicy Louisiana shrimp dirty rice delivers bold Creole flavors through tender shrimp and seasoned rice. Hearty ingredients and robust spices create a soulful Southern classic you’ll crave time and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 pound (227 grams) ground sausage (optional)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Grains, Seasonings, and Liquids:
- 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups chicken broth
Instructions
- Heat skillet over medium, melt butter until it sizzles and becomes fragrant.
- Sauté onions, bell peppers, and celery until vegetables become translucent and tender, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Incorporate minced garlic, sliced sausage, and Cajun seasoning, stirring frequently until meat develops a rich golden-brown exterior.
- Fold uncooked rice into the mixture, ensuring each grain gets coated with aromatic spices and vegetable essence.
- Pour chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce into skillet, creating a flavorful liquid base for the rice.
- Increase heat to high, bringing liquid to a rapid boil, then immediately reduce temperature to low.
- Cover skillet with tight-fitting lid, allowing rice to simmer undisturbed for 15-18 minutes until liquid is absorbed and rice becomes tender.
- Gently arrange raw shrimp across rice surface in a single layer, ensuring even distribution.
- Replace lid and cook for additional 5-6 minutes until shrimp turns opaque pink and develops a delicate curl.
- Remove from heat, let rest for 3 minutes, then delicately fluff rice with a fork.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions and parsley over dish for vibrant color and enhanced flavor.
- Serve immediately while rice remains warm and shrimp maintains its succulent texture.
Notes
- Swap butter with olive oil for a healthier version that reduces saturated fat and adds heart-friendly benefits.
- Opt for brown rice instead of white to boost fiber content and create a more nutritious meal with added whole grain goodness.
- Select wild-caught shrimp to ensure sustainable seafood practices and potentially enhance the dish’s environmental consciousness.
- Adjust spice levels by increasing or decreasing Cajun seasoning to match personal heat preferences without compromising the recipe’s authentic flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg