Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken and Sausage with Rice

Name: Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken and Sausage with Rice
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 260 min
Total time: 275 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: Cajun or Creole
Ingredients: 1 tbsp McCormick paprika; 2 tsp McCormick thyme leaves; 1 tsp McCormick garlic powder; 1 tsp McCormick red pepper, crushed; 3/4 pound lean turkey sausage, cut in 1-inch pieces; 2 cups onions, coarsely chopped; 1 cup green bell pepper, coarsely chopped; 1 cup red bell pepper, coarsely chopped; 1 cup celery, sliced; 1 can (14 1/2 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained; 1 cup reduced sodium chicken broth; 4 McCormick bay leaves; 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs, about 2 pounds; 2 cups instant white rice

A hearty one-pot meal combining tender chicken thighs with turkey sausage in a flavorful Cajun spice blend. Bell peppers, onions, and celery create the classic trinity base while diced tomatoes and chicken broth form a savory cooking liquid. The dish finishes with fluffy instant rice that absorbs all the bold flavors. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want comfort food without the fuss - just layer everything in the slow cooker and let it work its magic.

Prep: 15 min
Cook: 4 hr 20 min
Yield: 12 servings
Level: medium
Cuisine: Cajun or Creole

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Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Nut-Free

Ingredients

12 servings

1 tbsp McCormick paprika
2 tsp McCormick thyme leaves
1 tsp McCormick garlic powder
1 tsp McCormick red pepper, crushed
¾ pound lean turkey sausage, cut in 1-inch pieces
andouille sausage1:1authentic
more traditional Cajun flavor
2 cups onions, coarsely chopped
1 cup green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
1 cup red bell pepper, coarsely chopped
1 cup celery, sliced
1 can (14 1/2 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup reduced sodium chicken broth
4 McCormick bay leaves
6 boneless skinless chicken thighs, about 2 pounds
chicken breasts1:1lean
may be slightly drier
Full guide →
2 cups instant white rice
brown rice1:1health
will need longer cooking time

Method

8 steps

1
Mix paprika, thyme, garlic powder and red pepper in small bowl
2
Place sausage, onions, bell peppers, celery, tomatoes, chicken broth, bay leaves and seasoning mixture in slow cooker
3
Stir to blend well
4
Top with chicken and sprinkle with remaining seasoning mixture
5
Cover and cook on LOW or HIGH until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender
6
Gently stir in rice and cover
7
Cook on HIGH until rice is tender
8
Remove bay leaves before serving

Tips

Tip 1

Remove bay leaves before serving to avoid accidentally eating them

Tip 2

For extra heat, increase crushed red pepper to taste

Tip 3

Let the dish rest 5 minutes after cooking for rice to fully absorb liquid

Good to Know

Storage

Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days in airtight container

Make Ahead

Can prep vegetables and spice mix day before, store separately

Serve With

Serve hot directly from slow cooker with crusty bread

Common Mistakes

Watch

Don't lift lid during cooking to avoid heat loss

Watch

Add rice only at the end to prevent mushy texture

Substitutions

turkey sausage→

andouille sausage1:1authentic

more traditional Cajun flavor

Full guide →

instant white rice→

brown rice1:1health

will need longer cooking time

Full guide →

chicken thighs→

chicken breasts1:1lean

may be slightly drier

Full guide →

fresh herbs→

dried herbs3:1convenience

use 2 tsp fresh thyme if available

Full guide →

Find more substitutions →

FAQ

Can I use frozen chicken thighs?

Yes, but increase cooking time by 1-2 hours on LOW setting to ensure chicken cooks through safely and completely.

What if I don't have all the spices?

Use 3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning blend instead of individual spices, or make your own with available spices.

How long will leftovers keep?

Store in refrigerator up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers.