By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 14, 2026
Serves 4
616 cal · 35 min
Cajun-Style Dirty Rice
Recipe GLPR64b8e3293a2b55
A flavorful one-pot Cajun dish combining seasoned long-grain rice with ground pork, chicken livers, and smoky bacon, sautéed with the classic holy trinity of onion, celery, and bell pepper. This satisfying main course delivers authentic Louisiana flavor in just 35 minutes.
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Ingredients
1 1/2 cups long-grain rice
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 pound ground pork
1/2 cup chicken livers
3 slices bacon, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
2 green onions, chopped
Directions
In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until the edges begin to crisp, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
Add the ground pork to the bacon fat and cook over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks, until it is no longer pink and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, approximately 5 minutes.
Stir in the chicken livers and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are no longer raw in the center and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Add the chopped onion, celery, and green bell pepper to the pot and sauté over medium heat for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables begin to soften and become fragrant.
Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning over the meat and vegetables, stirring well to coat evenly. Cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute to bloom the spices.
Add the uncooked rice to the pot, stirring to combine with the meat, vegetables, and seasonings. Toast the rice for about 1 minute.
Pour in the chicken broth and water, stirring gently to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer undisturbed for 15–18 minutes until all liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 2 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork, stir in the reserved bacon and the chopped green onions, and serve immediately.
Comments
Dirty rice is a Charlotte-friendly weeknight dish that avoids any special stops—all ingredients appear at Harris Teeter, Food Lion, or Walmart, though chicken liver may require a quick trip to the meat counter rather than the packaged section. The stated 35 minutes is honest for a skilled cook, though chopping the holy trinity of onion, celery, and pepper plus rendering bacon adds real time; expect 45 minutes if you're not swift. Cost per serving lands around $2.50–$3 driven mainly by the ground pork and chicken liver, which are inexpensive proteins, making this a solid weeknight value. The dish is forgiving, reheats well in the microwave, and feeds a family of four with no fussiness, though it does require moderate attention while the pork cooks and the rice absorbs—not a set-it-and-forget-it meal.
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