By utilizing leftover cooked chicken and a packaged dirty rice mix, this comforting and hearty Cajun Chicken Stew is on the table in just 40 minutes!
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I’m all about saving time while still being able to cook a flavorful meal that everyone loves. This soup is so delicious, no one will EVER know you took a few shortcuts!
This recipe yields about 12 cups, which is 6 generous (2 cup) servings.
If you don’t have leftover cooked chicken, you can also buy a cooked deli rotisserie chicken and shred the meat for this recipe… SO EASY!
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Originally published February 8, 2017. Photographs updated, recipe slightly revised and republished September 1, 2019.
Cajun Chicken Stew
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper seeds removed and thinly sliced
- 1 cup sliced celery about 2 stalks
- ¾ cup chopped yellow onion
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh garlic
- 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes undrained
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 3 cups fully cooked shredded chicken
- 1 (15.5 ounce) can dark red kidney beans rinsed and drained
- 1 (8 ounce) package New Orleans Style Dirty Rice Mix I used Zatarain's
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
- Heat olive oil in a large soup pot or dutch oven over medium high heat. Add red bell pepper, celery, onion and garlic. Cook, stirring constantly for 3 minutes.
- Add tomatoes with juice and chicken broth. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
- Add cooked chicken, kidney beans, contents from rice package, salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 20 to 25 minutes or until rice is cooked and tender.
- Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley when serving, if desired.
If provided, nutritional info is a courtesy, is not guaranteed and should only be considered as a guideline.
Lisa
Delish! I always keep cooked, shredded chicken in the freezer & I even had a box of Zatarain’s Dirty Rice mix in the pantry. I make my own french bread which was perfect for this. I made no changes at all & my grandkids devoured it, requesting that this be put into our regular rotation. (High praise indeed.) Many thanks for this one.
Thank you, Lisa – I’m so glad you and your grandkids enjoyed the stew!
Liz
Used leftover turkey from thanksgiving! It was super easy and quite tasty with a salad and some cornbread. Plan on making another batch and sticking it in the freezer for an “uh oh forgot about dinner” night!
Brittany Milstead
Very good! Something different and easy to make. Thank you!
Valerie | From Valerie's Kitchen
It has been raining here endlessly and this is looking so good to me right now! Love how easy it is too!
Thanks so much, Valerie! 🙂