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Delicious Cajun Shrimp Sausage Dirty Rice in a bowl garnished with parsley
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5 from 1 vote

Cajun Shrimp Sausage Dirty Rice

A spicy, hearty, and flavorful Southern dish featuring shrimp, sausage, and rice.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Main
Cuisine: Southern
Keyword: Easy
Servings: 4 servings

Equipment

  • Large Skillet or Pot

Ingredients

Ingredients

  • 1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
  • 8 oz smoked sausage (andouille or kielbasa), sliced
  • 8 oz peeled shrimp
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 each green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1.5 cups chicken broth (400 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra kick)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Green onions, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook until browned and slightly crispy, about 3–5 minutes. Remove sausage and set aside.
  • In the same pan, add the shrimp. Cook for 1–2 minutes on each side, until just pink and opaque. Remove and set aside with the sausage.
  • Lower the heat to medium. Add a little more oil if needed, then sauté the diced onion, bell pepper, and celery until softened—about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  • Stir in the uncooked rice and let it toast for a minute, mixing well with the vegetables.
  • Return the sausage to the pan. Add smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, garlic powder, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir to coat everything in those amazing spices.
  • Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and cook for 18–20 minutes until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
  • Gently fold the shrimp back into the pan during the last 3 minutes of cooking, allowing them to reheat and flavor the rice.
  • Once done, fluff the rice with a fork, garnish generously with chopped green onions, and serve hot!

Notes

This dish pairs beautifully with a crisp garden salad or roasted okra. Crusty French bread is perfect for soaking up any leftover juices.