These grilled Cajun Chicken Thighs with Zesty Quinoa are quick enough for a weeknight meal and delicious enough for a dinner party or backyard BBQ. Made with a simple rub of Cajun seasoning and served on a bed of fluffy quinoa, their smoky spicy flavours are perfectly balanced. You'll love this easy 30-minute meal! This recipe includes instructions for Baked Cajun Chicken Thighs, too!
I have to admit I'm a little obsessed with these Cajun Chicken Thighs. Actually, it's not just me who could eat these every day. Denis feels the same. We've had them several times in the last few weeks.
They're just that good. This is rapidly becoming one of our very favourite recipes for grilling or baking chicken thighs!
And served on top of a bed of zesty quinoa is the BEST way to enjoy them. The contrast of smoky, spicy Cajun seasoning with mild quinoa is just what's needed to make a dish of perfectly balanced flavours!
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An easy 30-minute meal!
Quick enough for a weeknight meal, but certainly delicious enough for a dinner party or backyard BBQ, this recipe for Cajun Chicken Thighs with Zesty Quinoa is one you'll likely add to your regular meal rotation. Another 30-minute meal!
You'll be surprised at how few ingredients you need to make this recipe for boneless chicken thighs!
🛒Ingredients
- 8 or 9 chicken thighs: boneless, skinless
- Cajun seasoning mix: homemade or store-bought
- olive oil
- quinoa
- lime
This may be the easiest dinner you'll make this month!
🔪 Instructions
Combine Cajun seasoning mix (my homemade mix is the best!) with olive oil and brush on both sides of the chicken thighs. You can let it marinate for an hour or more, or grill it immediately.
Grill over medium-high heat until almost cooked through, then turn and continue cooking on the other side until done. The chicken pieces should reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F. when measured with an instant-read meat thermometer. It's sometimes hard to overcook chicken thighs, unlike chicken breasts which can become dry and stringy!
Baked Cajun Chicken Thighs
Prefer to bake the chicken thighs? Just follow the directions above, then arrange in a baking dish instead of grilling.
Roast in the oven at 400° for about 20 minutes or until the thighs have reached an internal temperature of 165°F. when measured with an instant-read thermometer. If they are not ready, continue baking and checking the temperature every 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook the quinoa. Choose to cook it in an Instant Pot or on the stovetop.
Instant Pot directions to cook quinoa
- Measure 1 cup of quinoa into a strainer. Rinse it under cool running water to remove the natural coating, called saponin, that can make quinoa taste soapy. Add the quinoa, zest of 1 lime, 1.5 cups of water and a pinch of salt to the pressure cooker bowl.
- Close and lock the lid. Press Manual, then use the + or - button and choose 1 minute pressure cooking time.
- When it beeps, use the "10-Minute Natural Release" method to allow the quinoa to continue cooking in the residual steam and heat. Let the Instant Pot go into "Keep Warm" mode and set a household timer for 10 minutes. Then press Cancel and turn the steam release handle on the lid to the "Venting" position. Open the lid once the steam has been released. Add the juice of one lime and extra salt, if desired. Fluff with a fork.
Stove Top directions to cook quinoa
- Measure 1 cup of quinoa into a strainer. Rinse it under cool running water to remove the natural coating, called saponin, that can make quinoa taste soapy. Add the quinoa, zest of 1 lime, 1 ¾ cups of water and a pinch of salt to a medium saucepan.
- Cover and bring to a rolling boil. Reduce the heat to low and continue to cook, covered, for 15 minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat and let it stand for 5 minutes, covered. Then stir in the juice of one lime and extra salt to taste. Fluff with a fork.
🍽 Serving suggestions
Add a salad or a side dish of green veggies to round out this meal.
Serve with rice or Crispy Lemon Oven Roasted Potatoes or Grilled Lemon Garlic Potato Kabobs instead of quinoa.
Keep it low-carb! Cajun Chicken is also delicious served on a bed of cauliflower rice. Add some lime zest and a squeeze of juice.
🗒More Cajun recipes to try
Love Cajun flavours? You may like these recipes, too.
📖 Recipe Card
Cajun Chicken Thighs with Zesty Quinoa
Ingredients
- 8 chicken thighs, boneless, skinless
- ¼ cup Cajun seasoning mix
- 2 tablespoon olive oil, extra virgin
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 lime
- fresh oregano, for garnish
Instructions
Cajun Chicken Thighs
- Combine Cajun seasoning mix (my homemade mix is the best!) with olive oil and brush on both sides of the chicken thighs. You can let it marinate for an hour or more, or grill it immediately.
- Grill over medium-high heat until almost cooked through, then turn and continue cooking on the other side until done. The chicken pieces should reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F. when measured with a meat thermometer. It's sometimes hard to overcook chicken thighs, unlike chicken breasts which can become dry and stringy.
Baked Cajun Chicken Thighs
- Prefer to bake? Just follow the directions in #1 above, then arrange in a baking dish instead of grilling. Roast in the oven at 400° for about 20 minutes or until the thighs have reached an internal temperature of 165°F. when measured with an instant-read thermometer. If they are not ready, continue baking and checking the temperature every 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook the quinoa. Once cooked, transfer to a serving dish and top with Cajun Chicken Thighs. Garnish with fresh oregano, if desired.
Instant Pot Directions to Cook Zesty Quinoa
- Measure 1 cup quinoa into a strainer. Rinse it under cool running water to remove the natural coating, called saponin, that can make quinoa taste soapy. Add the quinoa, zest of 1 lime, 1.5 cups of water and a pinch of salt to the pressure cooker bowl.Close and lock the lid. Press Manual, then use the + or - button and choose 1 minute pressure cooking time. When it beeps, use the 10-Minute Natural Release method to allow the quinoa to continue cooking in the residual steam and heat. Let the Instant Pot go into "Keep Warm" mode and set a household timer for 10 minutes. Then press Cancel and turn the steam release handle on the lid to the "Venting" position. Open the lid once the steam has been released. Add the juice of one lime and extra salt, if desired. Fluff with a fork.
Stove Top Directions to Cook Zesty Quinoa
- Measure 1 cup quinoa into a strainer. Rinse it under cool running water to remove the natural coating, called saponin, that can make quinoa taste soapy. Add the quinoa, zest of 1 lime, 1 ¾ cups of water and a pinch of salt to a medium saucepan.Cover and bring to a rolling boil. Reduce the heat to low and continue to cook, covered, for 15 minutes.Remove the pot from the heat and let it stand for 5 minutes, covered. Then stir in the juice of one lime and extra salt to taste. Fluff with a fork.
Nutrition
This post has been updated and revised with new information.
Elly
Love those Cajun flavors. This is a great spice mix and is really good on chicken. Thanks.
Paula
I've made these on repeat all summer long! They're just so easy once you mix up the Cajun seasoning spice mix. My family LOVES this recipe. So darn good. 5 stars!
Flavour & Savour
Thanks! I know--they taste like you've been marinating them all day and yet--it's just a simple spice rub. Thanks for rating and letting me know!