Cajun chicken is a flavorful, spicy dish that originates from the cuisine of Louisiana. It features chicken that is seasoned with a blend of spices like cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, oregano, thyme, and more. The chicken is then cooked until it absorbs all of those big, bold flavors. Cajun chicken packs some heat, so it’s important to serve it with sides that help cool things down and complement the seasoning of the chicken. With the right accompaniments, Cajun chicken can be a full and satisfying meal. Here are some of the best options for what to serve with Cajun chicken.
Rice
Rice is a classic pairing with Cajun chicken. The mild flavor and fluffy texture of rice provides the perfect foil for the spicy chicken. It helps soak up some of the heat while also absorbing all of the delicious seasoning and juices from the chicken. Here are some specific types of rice that pair well with Cajun chicken:
- White Rice: Plain white rice is a versatile option. Its neutral taste won’t compete with the chicken. Mix in some chopped green onions or parsley for extra flavor.
- Dirty Rice: This Louisiana specialty combines white rice with ground beef, onion, garlic, green bell pepper, and plenty of Cajun seasoning. It’s bold enough to match the chicken.
- Jambalaya: Jambalaya rice contains vegetables like tomato, green peppers, and onions plus cured pork like ham or andouille sausage. The smoky meat and savory veggies complement spicy Cajun chicken.
- Cilantro-Lime Rice: The bright, citrusy flavors of cilantro and lime zest cut through the heat of the chicken. Add a squeeze of lime juice over the finished dish.
Rice is endlessly versatile, so feel free to get creative with flavored rice blends. Just make sure the flavors complement (rather than compete with) the Cajun seasoning.
Breads
Bread is another excellent accompaniment for serving with Cajun chicken. The starch helps temper the heat while the texture contrasts nicely with the juicy, tender chicken. Here are some breads that pair especially well:
- Cornbread: This Southern staple is slightly sweet and very crumbly—perfect for dipping in the sauce and juices from your Cajun chicken.
- Biscuits: Flaky, buttery biscuits are ideal for soaking up every last bit of flavor. Bake up a batch of easy drop biscuits to serve on the side.
- French Bread: A crisp baguette is perfect for tearing and dipping into the rich juices and sauce left on your plate after eating the chicken.
- Garlic Bread: The savory garlic butter on garlic bread rounds out the spices in the chicken. Serve slices alongside the Cajun chicken.
For any of these breads, look for whole grain or seeded varieties to up the fiber and nutrients. And consider brushing hot bread with a little melted butter or extra virgin olive oil to perfectly complement the chicken.
Potatoes
Potatoes pair incredibly well with Cajun cuisine. They provide a neutral canvas that soaks up sauce and spice. Here are some easy potato options:
- Baked Potatoes: Load up big baked russet potatoes with butter, sour cream, chives, bacon, and cheese for delicious loaded potatoes.
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy potatoes are hard to resist alongside spicy chicken. Jazz them up with cajun seasoning, garlic, or chives.
- Roasted Potatoes: Cubed potatoes roasted with olive oil, cajun seasoning, and garlic until crispy are simple and delicious.
- Sweet Potatoes: Bake halved sweet potatoes and top with chipotle ranch dressing for a sweet counterpoint to the heat.
For the best texture contrast, aim for potatoes that are fluffy on the inside with crispy, golden exteriors. Potatoes prepared any style pair perfectly with saucy, seasoned Cajun chicken.
Vegetables
Fresh vegetables help add nutrition and texture contrast to a Cajun chicken dinner. Their natural sweetness also balances out spicy heat. Here are some great veggie sides:
- Corn on the Cob: Slather grilled or boiled corn with a spicy honey butter blended with cayenne and smoked paprika.
- Coleslaw: A creamy, cooling cabbage slaw tossed with chopped bell pepper and green onion.
- Collard Greens: Slow-cooked collards with smoked turkey add Southern flavor.
- Okra: Fry crispy breaded okra slices to serve alongside the chicken.
- Corn Maque Choux: This Louisiana dish sautés sweet corn with tomato and peppers.
Don’t be afraid to add a little Cajun seasoning to your veggies too. Options like okra, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, and greens pair especially well with some heat.
Sauces and Dips
A good sauce or dip can really round out a Cajun chicken dinner. Cooling, creamy condiments complement the seasoned chicken perfectly. Consider serving:
- Ranch Dressing: The classic dipping sauce pairs wonderfully with spicy chicken.
- Blue Cheese Dressing: Tangy, creamy blue cheese dressing can stand up to Cajun heat.
- Honey Mustard: Sweet honey mustard delivers a nice contrast to spicy chicken.
- BBQ Sauce: Opt for a Louisiana-style BBQ sauce flavored with Tabasco and cayenne.
- Remoulade: This creamy, piquant Louisiana sauce contains Creole mustard, capers, and cornichons.
You can also put out hot sauce like Tabasco, Crystal, or Frank’s RedHot so people can amp up the spice if they want. Provide lots of napkins too!
A Sample Meal
Here is a sample Cajun chicken dinner menu with recipes that incorporate some of these tasty accompaniment ideas:
Cajun Chicken
- Chicken thighs seasoned with Cajun seasoning blend
- Sautéed in olive oil and butter
- Finished with chopped garlic, thyme, green onions, and chicken stock
- Simmered until sauce is thickened
Creamy Cajun Coleslaw
- Shredded green and red cabbage
- Shredded carrots
- Minced red bell pepper
- Tossed in creamy dressing with mayo, sour cream, and buttermilk
- Seasoned with Cajun seasoning, chopped chives
Cheesy Garlic Toast
- Sliced French bread
- Brushed with garlic-infused butter
- Topped with shredded parmesan cheese
- Broiled until golden and crispy
Cajun Roasted Potatoes
- Cubed red potatoes
- Tossed in olive oil and Cajun seasoning
- Roasted at high heat until crispy outside and tender inside
With spicy chicken, cool slaw, crispy toast, and roasted potatoes, this Cajun-themed dinner offers a nice balance of flavors, textures, and temperatures. The star is the Cajun chicken, but the fixings complement it and round out the meal deliciously.
Tips for Serving Cajun Chicken
Here are some final tips for successfully serving Cajun chicken:
- Adjust the heat: For less spice, remove some or all of the cayenne and hot sauce from your chicken. For more heat, add a couple teaspoons extra.
- Offer hot sauce: Provide bottles of hot sauce so people can amp up the spice level on their plate.
- Include cooling dipping sauces: Offer chilled ranch, blue cheese, or remoulade sauce for dipping.
- Make it a meal: Include starchy sides, fresh veggies, and crusty bread to satisfy.
- Chill beverages: Have icy cold milk, sweet tea, lemonade, or beer to help tame the flame.
- Set out napkins: Cajun chicken tends to be saucy and messy, so have plentiful napkins on hand.
- Try smoked chicken: For a flavor twist, use smoked chicken legs or thighs and finish them with your favorite spicy Cajun rub.
Conclusion
Cajun chicken is meant to be savored, so take time to appreciate all of its complex flavors. Then, pair it with an array of cool and creamy sides to balance out the heat. Rice, breads, potatoes, vegetables, sauces, and dipping condiments all make excellent accompaniments. With the right combination of textures and flavors, a homemade Cajun chicken dinner can transport you straight to Louisiana. Just make sure to reach for plenty of napkins and icy cold beverages to manage the heat!