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    Home » Chicken Recipes

    Modified: Mar 14, 2025 · Published: Sep 12, 2023 by Vicky · This post may contain affiliate links · 7 Comments

    Cajun Chicken Recipe

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    Whole Cajun Roast-Chicken
    Cajun Chicken Recipe Pin

    This Cajun Chicken Recipe makes a delicious and flavorful whole chicken that your family will love. And it's just as good as anything you'd buy in the store. Chicken recipes make dinner easy and this one is no exception.

    With this recipe, you’ll roast up a chicken that's juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside, and packed with Cajun spices. It’s a cost-effective way to make a homemade version of a Cajun roasted chicken that rivals any store-bought option!

    Cajun Chicken Recipe Pin
    Jump to:
    • Cajun Roast Chicken Recipe
    • What To Serve With Cajun Chicken
    • Ingredients For Cajun Chicken Recipe
    • Best Chicken Roasting Tools
    • How To Roast a Cajun Spiced Chicken
    • Tips For Roasted Cajun Chicken
    • FAQs For Whole Cajun Roast Chicken
    • Cajun Recipes
    • Easy Dinner Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    I love that this recipe works for weekly family meals or a small gathering. It’s easy enough for casual dinners but tasty enough to share with guests. You'll also love this Picnic Chicken with BBQ Sauce.

    Cajun Roast Chicken Recipe

    This Cajun roasted chicken is perfect for those nights when you want a flavorful meal that feels a little more exciting than the usual. The Cajun brine gives the chicken incredible flavor while keeping it moist. The Cajun spice rub adds just the right amount of heat and seasoning.

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    This recipe is super practical too. A whole chicken easily feeds a crowd when paired with simple sides like roasted vegetables, green beans, or a salad. Plus, if you get chicken on sale, making this at home is much cheaper than buying a prepared roasted chicken.

    whole cajun roast chicken.

    What To Serve With Cajun Chicken

    A side of coleslaw can add a cool, creamy contrast to the spicy seasoning, balancing out the dish perfectly. You could also include some oven-roasted sweet potatoes for a touch of natural sweetness. Here are some of our favorite side dishes:

    • Air Fryer Cajun Potatoes
    • Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
    • Best Side Dishes
    • Cheesy Jalapeno Biscuits Recipe
    • Jiffy Corn Pudding

    Ingredients For Cajun Chicken Recipe

    This cajun chicken recipe may seem like it needs a lot of ingredients, but most of them are the spices for the chicken. I love this combo of spices because they remind me of the flavor of Costco rotisserie chicken.

    • Whole Chicken - I prefer organic free-range chicken.
    • Butter - Room temperature. Provides flavor, helps the spice to adhere and helps to create the golden brown skin.
    • Brown Sugar - Helps to balance the heat of the cajun spices.
    • Smoked Paprika - Provides a smoky flavor to the chicken.
    • Cayenne Pepper - Adds the heat. Add less for a less spicy chicken.
    spices for chicken brine

    Best Chicken Roasting Tools

    To make this Cajun roasted chicken, you’ll need a decent-sized roasting pan with a rack. If you don’t have one, a baking dish will work, but a rack helps the chicken cook evenly.

    A meat thermometer will come in handy to make sure the chicken is done. Tongs are great for handling the chicken in a mess-free way.

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    How To Roast a Cajun Spiced Chicken

    Before making this chicken with cajun seasoning, you'll want to make the brine. The brine is important because it injects the chicken with flavor and helps it to stay moist and juicy while cooking.

    To whip up the Cajun brine, grab a large bowl and combine all the brining ingredients with a cup of warm water. Give it a good stir until everything is fully dissolved.

    spices for cajun rub

    Clean the chicken, removing and discarding the innards. Then put the chicken in a large bowl and cover it with the brine. I get my chicken from ButcherBox, which has the healthy, high-quality meat at great prices. Best of all, it's delivered to your door.

    chicken brining in bowl

    Fill the bowl with enough water to cover the chicken. Then cover the bowl with plastic wrap or foil and place it in the fridge. Let the chicken brine for 8-12 hours and make the Cajun rub by combining all the rubbing ingredients in a bowl.

    cajun rub in a bowl

    When the chicken is done brining, remove it from the bowl. Rinse and pat dry. Place it on the rack in the roasting pan. Mix softened butter with Cajun rub and rub it on the chicken.

    chicken in a roast pan

    You'll want to bake the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165° F on a meat thermometer.

    whole cajun roast chicken on cutting board

    Doesn't that look yummy? The skin is crispy and delicious while the inside is so tender!

    whole Cajun roast chicken

    This Cajun-baked chicken recipe will taste moist and juicy, making it a hit with the whole family!

    whole cajun roast chicken sliced

    Tips For Roasted Cajun Chicken

    Tip 1: Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should reach 165°F at the thickest part of the thighs. This ensures your chicken is cooked perfectly - safe to eat but still juicy.

    Tip 2: You can make the cajun spice mix in advance and keep it in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

    Tip 3: If you don't want to make a whole chicken, you can also use the cajun spice in the recipe on boneless skinless chicken breasts or skinless chicken thighs. This dish is very versatile!

    cajun chicken recipe.

    FAQs For Whole Cajun Roast Chicken

    Should you cover the chicken when roasting?

    I don't cover it while it is cooking, but I do cover it when it comes out of the oven while the juices redistribute through the meat.

    Can I cook this chicken in the crockpot?

    You can! Cook on low heat for 6-8 hours. The skin will not get crispy as it will when you roast it, but you can always transfer the chicken to an oven to broil for 10 minutes.

    How do I store leftover Cajun chicken?

    Store leftover Cajun chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it in freezer-safe bags for up to 2 months. To reheat, place it in an oven at 350°F until warmed through to help preserve its crispiness.

    Cajun Recipes

    People love Cajun recipes because of their bold flavors and easily accessible ingredients. Packed with a mix of spices like paprika, cayenne, and garlic, these dishes deliver just the right kick of heat. Here are some easy Cajun recipes we love:

    • Cajun Sausage and Potatoes
    • Cajun Crab Boil
    • Cajun Red Beans and Rice Skillet
    • Cajun Chicken & Rice Soup Recipe

    Easy Dinner Recipes

    • easy italian recipes
      Easy Italian Recipes
    • Orange chicken over rice
      Easy Crockpot Orange Chicken Recipe
    • Breaded and baked pork chops on an orange plate with seasoning and tongs on a floral placemat
      Easy Air Fryer Pork Chops
    • keto crack chicken
      Keto Crack Chicken in the Crock Pot

    📖 Recipe

    Cajun Chicken Recipe

    Vicky
    Easy, juicy Cajun chicken recipe packed with bold flavors! Perfect for any cut of chicken and sure to please the whole family.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 45 minutes mins
    brining time 8 hours hrs
    Total Time 8 hours hrs 55 minutes mins
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine American
    Servings 5
    Calories 617 kcal

    Video

    Ingredients
      

    • 5-6 lb Whole Chicken
    • ¼ Cup Butter room temperature
    • Cajun Brine:
    • ¼ Cup Coarse Salt
    • 3 tablespoon Brown Sugar
    • 2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
    • 2 teaspoon Dried Oregano
    • 2 teaspoon Ground Red Pepper
    • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
    • Water to cover the Chicken

    Cajun Rub

    • 3 tablespoon Coarse Salt
    • 2 tablespoon Chili Powder
    • 1 tablespoon Onion Powder
    • 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
    • ½ teaspoon Cumin
    • 1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
    • 1 tablespoon Dried Thyme
    • 1 tablespoon Dried Basil
    • 1 tablespoon Dried Oregano
    • 1 tablespoon Dried Cilantro
    • ¼ teaspoon White Pepper
    • 2 teaspoon Black Pepper
    • *Or your favorite Cajun Seasoning

    Instructions
     

    • To make the Cajun brine, pour the brining ingredients into a bowl with 1 cup of warm water. Stir until dissolved.
    • Clean the chicken and remove and discard the innards. Place the chicken into a large bowl. Cover the chicken with the brine.
    • Then add enough water to cover the chicken completely. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator. Allow the chicken to brine 8-12 hours.
    • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
    • Remove the chicken from the brine and rinse it off and pat it dry. Place the chicken on a rack in a roasting pan.
    • To make the Cajun rub, combine coarse salt, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, thyme, basil, oregano, cilantro, white pepper and black pepper. Mix well.
    • Combine the softened butter with the Cajun Rub; rub it all over the chicken.
    • Roast the chicken at 425° F for 20 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350° F for an additional 20 minutes per pound. Bake the chicken to an internal temperature of 165° F at the thighs.
    • Remove the chicken from the oven and cover the pan loosely with foil for 10-15 minutes to allow the juices to distribute throughout the meat.
    • Slice and enjoy!

    Notes

    • Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the thighs—perfectly cooked and juicy!
    • Mix your Cajun spices ahead of time and store them in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
    • Don’t feel like roasting a whole chicken? This spice mix works just as well on boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs—super versatile!
    The nutritional information provided is a best estimate and will vary depending on specific ingredients, cooking methods, and portion sizes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 617kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 42gFat: 43gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 188mgSodium: 10139mgPotassium: 653mgFiber: 4gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 2528IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 132mgIron: 6mg
    Keyword whole cajun roast chicken
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Comments

      5 from 5 votes

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Tiera says

      June 03, 2023 at 5:47 pm

      Do I need to add chicken broth at the bottom of my pan and do I cover the chicken when I bake it?

      Reply
      • Vicky says

        June 05, 2023 at 12:12 pm

        You do not need to add chicken broth to bottom of the pan, though you can if you want to. You only need to cover the loosely with foil for 10-15 minutes after you remove it from the oven to allow the juices to distribute throughout the meat.

        Reply
    2. Sue says

      February 18, 2021 at 8:54 am

      5 stars
      My husband practically lives on store bought roasted chicken, so this recipe will be a game changer for us!

      Reply
    3. Claudia Lamascolo says

      February 18, 2021 at 8:01 am

      5 stars
      Love these flavors this may be dinner tonight!

      Reply
    4. Jess says

      February 18, 2021 at 7:37 am

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness, YES! This is way more affordable to make at home and tastes so much better!

      Reply
    5. Danielle Wolter says

      February 18, 2021 at 7:32 am

      5 stars
      I love Cajun spice anything. This sounds so delicious I can't wait to try it!

      Reply
    6. Tania | Fit Foodie Nutter says

      February 18, 2021 at 6:03 am

      5 stars
      I love all the spices you've used here! It makes one delicious family meal!

      Reply
    Vicky from Mess for Less

    I'm Vicky, the founder of Mess For Less, which I started in 2011 to share easy, family-friendly recipes. With over a decade of experience as a home chef and recipe developer, I love creating meals that bring people together. I also design play and learning activities for kids, using my background as a former teacher with a Master’s degree in education. Learn more about me.

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