Creamy Cajun Chicken & Grits

“Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones! Praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.”

-Psalms 30:4-5 NLT

There’s something incredibly comforting about a bowl of creamy grits, especially when they’re topped with juicy Cajun-seasoned chicken and a rich, velvety sauce. This Creamy Cajun Chicken and Grits recipe brings together bold Southern-inspired flavors with simple ingredients to create a meal that’s hearty enough for dinner yet elegant enough to serve when you’re entertaining.

At the heart of this recipe are the creamy stone-ground grits. Slowly cooked until smooth, they’re enriched with butter, cheese, and just the right amount of seasoning to create the perfect base for the flavorful chicken. Every spoonful is rich, comforting, and balanced by the savory toppings layered over the top.

The Cajun chicken adds plenty of bold flavor without overwhelming the dish. A blend of paprika, garlic, onion, herbs, and a touch of cayenne creates a beautifully seasoned crust as the chicken sears in the skillet. The result is juicy, tender chicken with just the right amount of smoky heat that pairs perfectly with the mild, creamy grits.

What really brings this meal together is the creamy Cajun pan sauce. Made in the same skillet as the chicken, it captures all of those flavorful browned bits left behind after searing. Garlic, onions, peppers, cream, Parmesan, and Cajun seasoning come together to create a silky sauce that’s rich enough to feel indulgent while complementing the chicken instead of overpowering it.

Lauren Eliza Eats

Creamy Cajun Chicken & Grits

A Southern-inspired comfort dish with a kick! Tender Cajun-spiced chicken served over creamy, buttery grits. 

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Southern

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Cajun Seasoning

• 2 Tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 Tbsp garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp onion powder
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp red chili flakes
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 2 tsp salt

Cajun Chicken

• 8 chicken thighs washed
• 3-4 Tbsp cajun seasoning
• 1 small tab butter
• 1 tsp olive oil

Creamy Cajun Sauce

• 1 small tab butter
• 1 small yellow onion diced
• 1 bell pepper diced
• 1 Tbsp garlic minced
• 1 Tbsp cajun seasoning
• 1 cup heavy cream

Creamy Grits

• 2 cup milk or heavy cream
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup dried grits
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• Butter to taste

Method

 

Cook cajun chicken

1. Add all the ingredients for the cajun seasoning to a bowl and combine well.
2. Wash your chicken thighs. Season and massage with cajun seasoning.
3. Melt butter in a skillet with olive oil and sear chicken on both sides until browned and fully cooked. Set aside and let cool.
4. Chop chicken into bite size pieces.

Sauté vegetables for creamy sauce

1. In the same skillet, add your diced onion, bell pepper, minced garlic, and more cajun seasoning.
2. Saute until golden brown and vegetables are cooked.
3. Add 1 cup heavy cream, and cook until creamy sauce thickens.

Prepare grits

1. For the creamy parmesan grits, mix 2 cups heavy cream to 2 cups water and bring to a boil.
2. Whisk in dried grits to boiling liquid and reduce the heat to a simmer. Add in salt.
3. Reduce heat to low and cover. Stir occasionally until grits are cooked through, thick, and creamy.
4. Turn off heat and mix in the parmesan cheese and finish with butter.
5. Plate grits first and top with cream cajun chicken. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.

Notes

If you do not have cajun seasoning, you can mix together 1 tsp seasoning salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/4 tsp chili powder.