Creole Chicken

Dive into the bold and vibrant flavors of Creole Chicken, a hearty one-pot dish that brings the zesty essence of Louisiana right to your table. This recipe features tender, juicy chicken thighs seared to perfection and simmered in a rich, tomato-based sauce infused with the Holy Trinity of Creole cooking—onion, green bell pepper, and celery—alongside garlic and a medley of spices like Creole seasoning, smoked paprika, and thyme. A hint of optional cayenne pepper adds a touch of heat for spice lovers. Simmered to perfection with a bay leaf for depth, this dish is served over fluffy white rice and finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining, Creole Chicken is a soulful and satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare in just under an hour.

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 6 pieces boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes (canned)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1.5 tablespoons Creole seasoning
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 whole bay leaf
• 2 cups long-grain white rice, cooked
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Step 2

Season the chicken thighs with 1 tablespoon of Creole seasoning and sear them in the hot oil for 3-4 minutes per side until browned. Remove the chicken and set aside.

Step 3

In the same skillet, add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the canned diced tomatoes, chicken broth, tomato paste, smoked paprika, dried thyme, cayenne pepper (if using), and the remaining 0.5 tablespoon of Creole seasoning. Stir to combine.

Step 6

Return the seared chicken thighs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Add the bay leaf to the pot.

Step 7

Lower the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.

Step 8

Remove the bay leaf and discard it.

Step 9

Serve the Creole Chicken over cooked rice, garnished with chopped parsley for added freshness.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2049.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2286.4

Total Fat 97.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 23.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 750mg	0%
Sodium 4460.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 168.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.9g	0%
Total Sugars 27.4g
Protein 179.8g	0%

Vitamin D 42IU	0%
Calcium 326.2mg	0%
Iron 11.7mg	0%
Potassium 3601.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 38.6%

Protein: 31.7%

Carbs: 29.7%