This post contains affiliate links, and we may receive a small commission if you purchase through our site.
Are you tired of those boring dinner recipes and want to enjoy something different and flavorful with your family? Then you are in the right place; we’ve collected 25 Cajun dinner recipes that are super easy to make using only a few ingredients.
Starting from easy chicken recipes to mouthwatering shrimp dinner ideas, you will find a recipe for everyone in this post. So choose your favorite ones and impress your family and friends.
Loaded with bold and spicy flavors, these satisfying recipes are all inspired by Cajun cuisine and can be the perfect choice for your next dinner or weeknight meal.
What Is Cajun?
Cajun refers to a culture and cuisine that originated in Louisiana, USA, primarily among the Acadian people who were expelled from Canada by the British in the 18th century. It consists of hearty ingredients like seafood and sausage loaded with bold, spicy, and tons of flavor.
Commonly used spices in Cajun cuisine include cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic, onion, and bell peppers. Some popular Cajun dishes include jambalaya, gumbo, crawfish étouffée, and boudin sausage.
Main Ingredients In Cajun Cuisine
- Holy Trinity – The “holy trinity” is a blend of three vegetables: onions, bell peppers, and celery. This combination is used as a base for many Cajun dishes and provides a lot of flavor.
- Sausage – Andouille is one of the most used sausages in many recipes, like jambalaya and gumbo.
- Seafood – Louisiana’s proximity to the Gulf of Mexico means that seafood is a prominent ingredient in Cajun dishes. Crawfish, shrimp, oysters, and catfish are just a few examples of popular seafood options.
- Rice – a staple ingredient.
- Cajun Seasoning – This blend of spices is a crucial component of Cajun cooking and typically includes cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
The Best And Most Popular Cajun Recipes
Cajun cuisine it’s known for its variety of delicious and flavorful recipes. Here are interesting recipes that you might hear of:
- Jambalaya – a dish made with cooked rice, a mix of shrimp, and a variety of meat, including chicken and sausages.
- Gumbo – a popular recipe in Cajun and Creole cuisine, gumbo is made from a variety of meat and vegetables thickened with a sauce made from flour and oil.
- Red Beans and Rice
- Po’Boys – a sandwich made from fried seafood and roasted beef.
Side Dishes For Cajun Recipes
Since Cajun cuisine is loaded with many bold flavors and a mixture of many spices, the side dishes accompanying them have to pair perfectly. Here are some ideas:
- Cornbread
- Dirty Rice – Made with rice and ground meat, this flavorful and hearty side dish is a staple in Cajun cuisine.
- Coleslaw Salad
- Roasted Vegetables
Skillet Cajun Spiced Fish with Tomatoes
Cajun spices, tomatoes, onions and peppers give any white fish extra pizazz and a little kick. Super easy and quick!
Check out this recipe
Pan Seared Cajun Salmon
This Pan Seared Cajun Salmon recipe is perfectly golden and crispy on the edges with a flakey and tender center. It’s one of our family’s favorite low carb salmon recipe that’s super quick to make in under 15 minutes from start to finish.
Check out this recipe
Blackened Halibut
This blackened halibut is so delicious! The inside of the fish is tender and flaky while the outside is crusty and well-seasoned. Ready in just 20 minutes and truly easy to make, this is the perfect recipe to make on a busy weeknight.
Check out this recipe
Creamy Salmon With Pasta Alfredo and Cajun
The rich flavor of the fish makes this scrumptious creamy Salmon Alfredo seem more decadent than it really is. Perfect for guests or busy weeknight nights!
Check out this recipe
Cajun Baked Cod
This Cajun Baked Cod comes together using only 5 ingredients and in under 20 minutes! Tender, flaky fish with a flavorful Cajun sauce drizzled on top!
Check out this recipe
Cajun Whole Roast Chicken
Cajun Whole Roast Chicken – This crispy, spicy, juicy poultry is super tasty with minimal prep time. You can easily feed a large family or have leftover roasted chicken all week long to make sandwiches, chicken salad, and other tasty dishes. One try, and you’ll have this recipe on repeat every week, guaranteed.
Check out this recipe
Easy Cajun Butter Chicken Breasts
Tender pan seared chicken breasts are goldena and full flavoured. Seared in Cajun seasoning and garlic butter, ready in under 15 minutes. No marinating!
Check out this recipe
Cajun Air Fryer Chicken Bites
Tossed in a delicious cajun seasoning, and made crispy on the outside and tender juicy on the inside these are ready in no time for a healthy, delish snack or appetizer! This recipe is a family favorite that never fails to bring everyone around the table.
Check out this recipe
Air Fryer Cajun Chicken Drumsticks
This is one of my favorite meals I have made in the air fryer. Everyone loves really great flavorful Air Fryer Cajun Chicken Drumsticks. Today, I made it, and my entire family fell in love with them.
Check out this recipe
Cajun Chicken Wings
These Cajun Chicken Wings are seasoned with a homemade Cajun Spice Rub and cooked to perfection in less than one hour. Make these flavorful wings for your next tailgate, for a fun party appetizer, or a simple weeknight dinner.
Check out this recipe
Air Fryer Cajun Chicken and Vegetables
When I want to make meals that are more nutritious and less time consuming, I almost always grab the air fryer! This recipe for Air Fryer Cajun Chicken and Vegetables recipe is easy, tasty, and healthy!
Check out this recipe
Spicy Cajun Shrimp
Delicious spicy cajun shrimp served with sauteed vegetables. It’s a quick and healthy skillet meal ready in under 30 minutes!
Check out this recipe
Cajun Shrimp and Vegetable Skillet
This shrimp and vegetable skillet is the perfect marriage of Cajun spice and healthy cooking. It’s a quick, one-pan meal with tons of flavor. The Cajun shrimp and sausage are cooked with garlic, onion, bell peppers, yellow squash, zucchini, and herbs for a healthy dinner that won’t disappoint!
Check out this recipe
Cajun Shrimp Tacos
This Cajun Shrimp Tacos recipe is topped with a creamy cilantro lime avocado sauce. These gluten free skillet tacos are ready in 20 minutes!
Check out this recipe
New Orleans Gumbo with Shrimp and Sausage
My take on a hearty New Orleans Gumbo with shrimp and sausage! I’m making the roux from scratch so it’s extra flavorful! This recipe is perfect to make on the weekend and enjoy all week long as the flavor gets BETTER with time!
Check out this recipe
Cajun Spicy Tomato Soup
This makes a ton of spicy tomato soup–probably close to 2 quarts or even a bit more. Feel free to cut the recipe in half. You'll still have 4 nice-sized portions. The way the recipe is written, it is vegetarian. You can easily make it vegan by using oil for the cooking fat and using vegetable stock or water for the liquid.
Check out this recipe
Cajun Chicken Soup Recipe
This Cajun chicken soup is a delicious and easy Cajun soup recipe. Loaded with diced Cajun seasoned chicken, vegetables, rice, in a rich broth. A simple chicken and rice soup that is packed full of flavor.
Check out this recipe
Cajun Beef Stew Slow Cooker Recipe
This Cajun beef stew has been a family favorite for as long as I can remember. It’s a comforting slow cooker beef stew recipe with a bit of a kick from Cajun spice. It’s so darn good!
Check out this recipe
Cajun Cabbage Stew
Warm, comforting stews are a must during chilly weather! This incredible Cajun cabbage stew is filling but doesn’t skimp on flavor! Aromatic vegetables get cooked down with incredibly delicious andouille sausage and hearty cabbage to make a stew you’ll crave.
Check out this recipe
Real Cajun Jambalaya
This is a big pot of Cajun comfort food. A real Cajun Jambalaya is typically nice and slightly dry, full of meat and smokey flavors and some great Cajun seasonings to top it off.
Check out this recipe
Cajun Pork Chops
The most delicious and tender Cajun Pork Chops recipe in a just-spicy-enough tomato sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes with just 5 ingredients.
Check out this recipe
Cajun Honey Pork Bites
These cajun honey pork bites are the perfect quick solution for a delicious party snack or weeknight dinner. The richness of the buttery sauce is full of sweet and spicy flavors that make for a mouth watering treat.
Check out this recipe
Cajun Chicken Salad
Cajun Chicken Salad is a simple but rich salad recipe piled high with spinach, strawberries, feta cheese, and walnuts, then tossed with a homemade honey balsamic vinaigrette.
Check out this recipe
Cajun Coleslaw
Add some spice to your slaw with this tasty recipe! This creamy cajun coleslaw is simple and easy to make with just a few ingredients. Perfect to serve with BBQ and roasted meats, it’s a great make ahead side that everyone will devour!
Check out this recipe
Cajun Deviled Eggs
These Cajun Deviled Eggs are majorly delicious! They're rich and creamy with the perfect pop of zesty sweet heat! They make a great appetizer or tasty snack for on the go!
Check out this recipe
