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Cajun Prawns with Rice
If you're looking for a quick seafood dinner with plenty of flavour, these Cajun prawns are a great choice. King prawns are coated in smoky Cajun seasoning, then cooked with garlic, peppers and onions before being served with fluffy rice.
It's an easy midweek meal with a little bit of heat, plenty of colour and lots of flavour. You can adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to suit how spicy you like it.
Cajun Prawns with Rice
Serves: 2
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
For the prawns
- 250g king prawns
- 1½ tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 red pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow pepper, sliced
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 1 tbsp tomato purée
- 100ml chicken or vegetable stock
- ½ lemon
- Small handful of fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
To serve
- 150g long-grain or basmati rice
- Fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges
- Spring onions, sliced, optional
Method
1. Cook the rice
Cook the rice according to the packet instructions.
Once cooked, drain if necessary, fluff with a fork and keep warm while you prepare the prawns.
2. Cook the vegetables
Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat.
Add the red onion and peppers and cook for around 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften and take on a little colour.
Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
3. Add the Cajun seasoning
Add the Cajun seasoning and tomato purée to the pan and stir everything together.
Cook for around 30 seconds, allowing the spices to become fragrant.
Pour in the stock and stir well. Allow the mixture to simmer for 2–3 minutes, letting the sauce reduce slightly.
4. Cook the prawns
Add the king prawns to the pan and stir them through the Cajun sauce.
Cook until the prawns are pink, opaque and cooked through.
If you're using cooked prawns, simply heat them through rather than cooking them for several minutes.
Squeeze over the juice of half a lemon and season with black pepper. Taste before adding extra salt, as Cajun seasoning can already contain salt.
5. Serve
Spoon the fluffy rice into two bowls or plates and top with the Cajun prawns and peppers.
Finish with fresh parsley, sliced spring onions if using, and a wedge of lemon.
Serve immediately.
What to Serve with Cajun Prawns
The rice makes this a filling meal on its own, but you can add:
- Corn on the cob
- Steamed greens
- A simple green salad
- Garlic bread
- Roasted vegetables
- Sweetcorn
- Avocado
- Crusty bread
For a little extra freshness, a simple salad with lettuce, cucumber and lemon works particularly well alongside the spicy prawns.
Why This Recipe Works
Cajun seasoning brings together smoky paprika, herbs and spices to give the prawns plenty of flavour without needing a complicated sauce. The sweetness of the peppers and onions helps balance the spice, while the lemon adds a fresh finish.
The king prawns cook quickly, making this a particularly useful recipe when you want a proper seafood dinner without spending ages in the kitchen.
Fishmonger's Tip
Don't overcook the prawns. They only need a short time in the pan. Once they're cooked through, take them off the heat to keep their texture tender.
If you're using cooked prawns, add them right at the end and give them just enough time to warm through.
Looking for King Prawns?
Our king prawns are a versatile seafood staple, perfect for dishes like these Cajun prawns, as well as pasta, curries, stir-fries, salads and BBQs.