Description
Louisiana Dirty Rice is a classic Cajun dish featuring flavorful ground meat, optional chicken livers, and the traditional Holy Trinity of bell peppers, celery, and onions, all combined with fluffy long-grain white rice and seasoned with a blend of garlic powder, paprika, and Cajun spices. This hearty and savory recipe is perfect as a main course or a side dish, offering a true taste of Louisiana comfort food.
Ingredients
Rice
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
Meat and Aromatics
- 1/2 lb ground pork or ground beef
- 1/4 lb chicken livers (optional), chopped
- 1/2 cup diced bell peppers
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup diced onions
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Rice: Rinse the long-grain white rice under cold water until the water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of chicken broth to a boil, add the rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 18-20 minutes or until the rice is fluffy and all liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Brown Meat and Chicken Livers: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground pork or beef and the optional chopped chicken livers. Cook, breaking the meat apart with a spatula, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Sauté the Holy Trinity: Add diced bell peppers, celery, and onions to the browned meat in the skillet. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Mix in Seasonings and Rice: Sprinkle garlic powder, paprika, Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper over the meat and vegetables. Stir well to combine. Add the cooked rice to the skillet and mix thoroughly so the rice absorbs the flavors and colors from the meat and vegetables.
- Simmer and Serve: Lower the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. This allows the flavors to meld together. Garnish with sliced green onions before serving warm.
Notes
- Chicken livers are optional but add authentic richness and depth to the dish.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning according to your preferred spice level.
- Use chicken broth instead of water to cook the rice for added flavor.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in a skillet or microwave.
- For a spicier kick, add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to taste.
