Creamy Cajun Shrimp Bowl

• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 3 tbsp olive oil (plus extra for sautéing onion)
• 1 ½ tbsp Cajun seasoning
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp regular paprika
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp honey
• ¼ tsp fresh ground pepper
• ¼ tsp chili powder
• 4 cloves garlic (grated)
• protein (shrimp or chicken) (for shrimp: broil 5 min per side; for chicken: bake at 425°F 18 min then broil 3-5 min)
• ½ cup white onion (finely diced, for sauce)
• 2 tsp tomato paste
• 1 ½ cups water (for sauce)
• ¾ cup cream (or 1 can full-fat coconut milk + ½ can water for dairy-free)
• 1 ½ tsp fresh thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• ¾ cucumber (small dice)
• ¼ cup red onion (finely diced)
• ¼ cup cilantro (chopped)
• 2 tsp lime juice (for salsa)
• 1 tsp olive oil (for salsa)
• 1 tsp salt (for salsa)
• 2 tbsp red chili (finely diced, optional)
• avocado (cubes, optional)
• rice (for serving)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the marinade and sauce base: mix together 2 tbsp lime juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1½ tbsp Cajun seasoning, ½ tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp regular paprika, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, 1 tbsp honey, ¼ tsp fresh ground pepper, ¼ tsp chili powder, and 4 cloves grated garlic.

2. 2

   Pour ⅓ of the marinade over your protein (shrimp or chicken) and let it marinate while you prep the rest. Reserve the remaining ⅔ for the sauce.

3. 3

   Make the creamy sauce: sauté ½ cup finely diced white onion in a bit of oil until translucent. Add 2 tsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat briefly, then stir in 1½ cups water, ¾ cup cream (or dairy-free alternative), the reserved marinade, 1½ tsp fresh thyme, and 2 bay leaves. Bring to a gentle low simmer.

   10 min
4. 4

   Prepare the cucumber salsa: combine ¾ cucumber (small dice), ¼ cup finely diced red onion, ¼ cup chopped cilantro, 2 tsp lime juice, 1 tsp olive oil, and 1 tsp salt. Optionally add 2 tbsp finely diced red chili and avocado cubes. Let sit while everything cooks.

   10 min
5. 5

   Cook the protein: for chicken, bake at 425°F for 18 minutes, then broil on high for 3-5 minutes until internal temp reaches 165°F. Rest and slice against the grain. For shrimp, broil 5 minutes, flip, then broil 4-5 more minutes.

   25 min
6. 6

   Serve over rice: ladle the creamy Cajun sauce around the rice, top with sliced protein, and finish with the cool cucumber salsa.