Cajun Chicken Bell Peppers (Print Version)

Tender chicken pieces with colorful bell peppers in bold Cajun spices. Quick skillet 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)

# How to Prepare:

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. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Remove from heat.
06 - Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot with lemon wedges on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The spice blend creates this incredible crust on the chicken that locks in all the juices
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like something from a restaurant
  • The colors alone make this dish feel like a celebration on your plate
02 -
  • I once skipped the water step and ended up with these stubborn brown bits stuck to my pan, so don't skip it
  • The chicken will continue cooking slightly after you remove it from the heat, so don't overcook it in the pan
  • Letting the chicken rest in the spice blend for even ten minutes while you prep the vegetables makes a huge difference
03 -
  • Heat your pan properly before adding the chicken, or you'll end up steaming instead of searing
  • Don't crowd the pan, cook in batches if necessary, otherwise the chicken will never get that gorgeous brown crust

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