Cajun Rice Dressing is the perfect side to serve this Thanksgiving. This versatile flavor-packed dish can shine on its own, but it also complements your mains beautifully. The best part is that it's made in under 30 minutes once all the ingredients are combined making it a great addition to your table.
Ingredients
This recipe requires only a few basic ingredients that you may already have in your pantry or fridge. You'll need:
- Rice
- Ground turkey eat
- Chicken gizzards
- Low-sodium chicken broth
- Celery
- Onion
- Garlic
- Cajun seasoning
- Kosher salt
- Poultry seasoning
Ingredient Notes
- Although this recipe uses ground turkey, ground chicken, pork, or beef, will work too.
- I don't recommend leaving out the chicken gizzards because they add texture to the dish.
- This dish can also be made with Jasmine, Basmati, or long-grain white rice.
How to Make Rice Dressing
Grab your skillet and ingredients to quickly whip up this easy rice dressing for Thanksgiving—it’s the perfect side to pair with my Garlic Butter Herb Roasted Turkey Recipe. Ready to dive in?
- Add grape-seed oil to the skillet, when hot, brown the turkey meat.
- Next, add the chopped veggies and the cooked chicken gizzards, sliced.
- Add the seasoning to the skillet and stir to combine.
- Rinse the rice then add it to the skillet and stir to combine.
- Pour in the chicken broth and give a gentle stir until all the ingredients are combine.
- Cover with a tight fitting lid. Bring to a gentle boil then lower heat to a simmer. If you need to check during this process, lift the lid quickly and close. Cook until rice is tender.
- When done, remove the lid. The ingredients will look separated (as you can see from the photo.
- You will need to stir gently and fluff the rice. Feel free to garnish with the green part of a green onion
Top Tips
- Place uncooked rice in a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cool water.
- Do not overcook or undercook the rice it's important to pay attention to the time. (If you need to check during this process, lift the lid quickly and close. Cook until rice is tender)
- As soon as the rice comes to a gentle boil, immediately lower it to a simmer (if not the liquid will evaporate too quickly and the rice will be uncooked and the bottom of the pan will scorch.
- If you do not feel comfortable cooking rice on the stove-top, use a rice cooker instead.
- If using a rice cooker, follow the instructions in the recipe card right before adding the rice to the skillet.
- Do not skimp on the poultry seasoning and taste test in case more kosher salt and seasoning are needed. If so, add it.
- Feel free to prep ingredients ahead before day of cooking if you'd like.
FAQs
Cajun Spatchcock Chicken, Cajun Oven Roasted Turkey Thighs, Cornish hens, Rosemary Marinated Lamb Loin Chops, or Easy Braised Brisket. You can also serve alongside other side dishes Crispy Oven Roasted Broccolini and a Simple Italian Cucumber Salad.
Although you can easily reheat rice dressing in the microwave, heating food in the microwave can sometimes alter the texture and taste of certain foods. To reheat in the oven:
1) Tear off a sheet of foil large enough to wrap the rice dressing.
2) Lightly spray the foil with cooking spray to prevent the rice from sticking.
3) Add the rice dressing to the lightly sprayed side of the foil and add a 1 to 2 tablespoon of water or chicken broth.
4) Wrap the rice dressing within the foil creating a packet 'so-to-speak'.
5) Place the packet into a 375 degree preheated oven until the rice dressing is warm.
What to Serve with Rice Dressing
Whether you're planning a full Thanksgiving feast or just looking to round out your dinner menu, serve this flavorful side dish alongside complementary mains and other sides. From roasted meats to fresh salads, here are some delicious ideas to complete your meal.
- Dutch Oven Cajun Turkey Breast
- Oven Baked Tri Tip
- Prime Rib Dinner with Red Wine Sauce
- Easy Oven Braised Brisket
- Easy Sweet Buttermilk Cornbread
- Moist Lemon Cake Cornbread
- Simple Italian Cucumber Salad
📖 Recipe
Thanksgiving Cajun Rice Dressing
Thanksgiving Cajun Rice DressingEquipment
- Skillet or saute pan, rice cooker, or braiser
Ingredients
Saute Pan, Skillet, or Braiser
- 2 tablespoon olive oil (or grape-seed oil)
- ½ sweet onion (chop ½ of an onion or a whole bulb of shallot)
- 2 cloves fresh garlic (minced)
- 1 stalk celery (chopped)
- 1 cup chicken gizzards (boil until tender then chop)
- ½ lb ground turkey (½lb to 1lb ground meat (ground beef, pork or chicken can be used))
- 1-½ teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 2-½ teaspoon kosher salt (add to taste)
- 1-½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 3 cups uncooked white rice
- 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
Rice Cooker (Use as an alternate)
- 3 cups uncooked white rice (Jasmine, Basmati or any white rice)
- 3 cups low sodium chicken broth (measure using measurements inside of rice cooker)
- 2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoon grape-seed oil (extra virgin olive oil)
Instructions
Saute Pan, Skillet, or Braiser
- Chop onion, celery, and garlic. Set aside. Boil the chicken gizzards until tender. They will turn a dark brown color and should be tender when done. Remove from stove and drain. Then cut them up into small bite-sized pieces when they are warm enough to handle. Set aside.
- Add olive oil to the pan. When hot, add the chopped onions, garlic, and celery and saute until onions become translucent, add the ground turkey and cook just until browned. Add all seasoning and chopped gizzards to the pan and mix until combined.
- Rinse uncooked rice and add it to the same pan. Stir until well combined. Pour in the chicken broth and cover with a tight fitting lid. Bring to a gentle boil then lower heat to a simmer. If you need to check during this process, lift the lid quickly and close. Cook until rice is tender and liquid has evaporated.
- When done, remove lid. The ingredients will look separated (as you can see from the last photo in the collage above the meat is on the outer edges of the pan). You will need to stir gently and fluff the rice. Feel free to garnish with the green part of a green onion.
Rice Cooker Method
- Follow the instructions in the user manual for operating rice cooker. Also, use the measurements for how much rice you want to use according to the user manual.
- Rinse uncooked rice with cool water. Follow steps 1-2 above. Then, place uncooked rice in rice cooker, add liquid and the meat mixture from steps 1-2. Then follow steps in user's manual for working rice cooker.
- Then proceed to step 4 above.
Notes
-
- Place uncooked rice in a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cool water.
-
- Do not overcook or undercook the rice it's important to pay attention to the time. (If you need to check during this process, lift the lid quickly and close. Cook until rice is tender)
-
- As soon as the rice comes to a gentle boil, immediately lower it to a simmer (if not the liquid will evaporate too quickly and the rice will be uncooked and the bottom of the pan will scorch.
-
- If you do not feel comfortable cooking rice on the stove-top, use a rice cooker instead.
-
- If using a rice cooker, follow the instructions in the recipe card right before adding the rice to the skillet.
-
- Do not skimp on the poultry seasoning and add more kosher salt and seasoning if needed.
-
- Feel free to prep ingredients the day before if you'd like.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. For the most accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information using the specific ingredients and brands you use.
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