Cajun Shrimp Fried Rice Updated: June 2025 – perfect for summer grilling, easy dinner, or entertaining with bold Cajun flair.
Why You’ll Love It
This isn’t ordinary fried rice—it’s a flavor explosion. Crispy cajun‑seasoned shrimp meets bright veggies and day‑old rice in one sizzling skillet. It’s fast, full of spice, and ideal for anyone craving a quick, tasty twist on comfort food.
Ingredients
(serves 4)
1 tbsp olive oil
3 cups cooked day-old rice (white jasmine or yellow rice recommended)
1 lb large shrimp, peeled, deveined
1½ tbsp Cajun seasoning, plus ½ tbsp reserved
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
Salt & pepper, to taste
½ cup breadcrumbs
2 eggs, beaten
Vegetable oil, for frying
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ onion, chopped
5 scallions, sliced
1 cup frozen peas & carrots
4 mini sweet bell peppers, chopped
How to Make Cajun Shrimp Fried Rice
Combine & serve: Mix in scallions and crispy shrimp, turn off heat. Serve hot!
Prep the shrimp: Toss shrimp with salt, pepper, and lightly sprinkle with Cajun seasoning.
Bread the shrimp: Dip each shrimp in beaten egg, then coat with breadcrumb mix (Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, breadcrumbs).
Fry shrimp: In a skillet with medium-high vegetable oil, fry shrimp ~3–4 min until golden; drain on paper towels.
Sauté veggies: Discard oil, wipe skillet, then heat olive oil. Add onion, peas/carrots, and peppers—cook 3–5 min until soft.
Add rice & seasoning: Stir in garlic, cold rice, and the remaining ½ tbsp Cajun seasoning. Fry 2–3 min until heated.
Pro Tips & Variations
- Rinse & chill rice – If you don’t have day‑old rice, rinse freshly cooked rice until cool, then refrigerate 1–2 hr.
- Use combo rice – Mixing white and yellow rice boosts flavor and color.
- Level up heat – Add Cajun spiciness or a dash of cayenne for extra kick.
- Veggie swap: Slim down with broccoli or zucchini; keep roughly the same volume.
- Extra protein: Toss in andouille, chicken, or tofu for a meaty touch.
Why Cajun Shrimp and Fried Rice Works
This dish draws inspiration from Cajun cooking’s bold spirit—rich spices, crispy shrimp, and hearty veggies in a one‑pot meal that’s as easy as it is farmhouse-fun. Plus, it packs flavors from your Southern roots, perfect for busy weeknights or dinner parties.
Try These Cajun Faves Next
📸 Show off your spicy creation! Tag your shots with @evseats or tag me on Pinterest – let’s keep the flavor rolling.
Cajun Shrimp Fried Rice
This cajun shrimp fried rice is a spicy, flavorful, and delicious dish that is great as an easy weeknight meal, or for a fun dinner party with family and friends.
Ingredients
- 3 cups COOKED day-old rice (white or yellow)
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 1/2 tbsp cajun seasoning (reserve 1/2 tbsp)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- salt and black pepper
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs, beaten
- vegetable oil for frying
- 2 cloves garlic, diced
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 5 medium scallions, chopped
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 4 sweet mini bell peppers, chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine 1 tbsp cajun seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, and breadcrumbs.
- Season shrimp lightly with salt and black pepper. If you are using store bought cajun seasoning eliminate using salt as most cajun seasonings have a HIGH salt content.
- Dip the shrimp in the egg wash, then coat in the bread crumb and seasoning mixture. Ensure that each shrimp is well coated with the mixture.
- Heat a large pan with vegetable oil (enough oil to shallow fry the shrimp) over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot add the shrimp and fry until crispy and golden brown (about 3-4 minutes). Place on a paper towel lined plate and set aside.
- Drain the oil from the pan, wipe clean, and add 1 tbsp olive oil. Heat over medium-high heat.
- Add the onion, frozen peas and carrots, and bell peppers and saute for 3-5 minutes. Once the peppers have softened add the garlic, rice, and remaining 1/2 tbsp of cajun seasoning. Stir and mix well frying for about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the scallions and shrimp to the rice, turn off the heat and serve!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1 Amount Per Serving: Calories: 489Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 332mgSodium: 2613mgCarbohydrates: 56gFiber: 4gSugar: 5gProtein: 37g
