Spicy Cajun Shrimp, Kale + Cauliflower Rice

This Spicy Cajun Shrimp, Kale + Cauliflower Rice recipe is the perfect one-pot meal for the entire family during the weeknight. Completely packed with bold, spicy cajun flavor, this recipe includes a tender "rice-like" cauliflower base and comes topped with colossal well-seasoned shrimp and tender tomatoes, that will leave you having more than just a few bites! One pot meal, completely easy to make, ready in as little as 30 minutes.

I'm so excited to not only share this shrimp and cauliflower rice recipe with you, BUT I'm also excited about getting things back in full gear with Orchids + Sweet Tea. I have so many ideas floating around in my head and I've been slowly chipping away at bringing everything to fill circle with this blog and the way I want you to experience the recipes, information, and everything in between.

On another note----I recently remade this shrimp dish and I must admit that making it this time around was one of my favorite things that I've done. I don't know about you, but seafood is a great favorite in my house. We love our Shrimp, Salmon, Fish, and Lobster whenever we aren't eating more plant-based! Haha.

I remember being on a real mission to eat more healthy over the last years and thinking that this meant giving up a lot of familiar things and only being restricted to specific things. Luckily, the experimentations have been pretty amazing thus far and I'm loving our newest healthy food switch up and the true understanding that it doesn't need to be restrictive and having balance is OK.

How to Make Spicy Cajun Shrimp, Kale + Cauliflower Rice

Start this recipe by making the simple Cajun seasoning. This is a spice blend you’ll want to keep on hand to season everything from Cajun Sweet Potato Grits + Chickpea to Cajun Veggie Pumpkin Pizza. The ingredients are simple and you probably already have them at home. 

CAJUN SEASONING BLEND

To make your seasoning, combine:

• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning
• Smoked paprika
• Sea salt
• Black pepper
• Cayenne
• Dried thyme
• Onion powder

Together, these herbs and spices strike the perfect balance of savory and fresh with a bit of smoky heat. 

Let's Talk Benefits of Cauliflower 

When it comes to cauliflower, it's definitely a very healthy vegetable that offers a lot of nutrients, which include fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Folate, Potassium, Magnesium, etc.

Cauliflower also has a great source of antioxidants, which protects your body's cells from harmful toxins and inflammations.

In addition, cauliflower may aide in weight loss. How? Whelp, they are absolutely low in calories and works as a great substitute for rice and flour.

Other benefits:

• High in Choline (which maintains integrity of cell membranes, synthesizing DNA, and supports metabolism)
• Rich in Sulforaphane (a special type of antioxidant)
• Easy to add to diet
• Contains many other nutrients

How to Make Cauliflower Rice

OK, so as you can see, cauliflower has some pretty awesome benefits, so why not use it as a substitute for rice in this recipe, right? My sentiments exactly. The great thing is that making Cauliflower is SUPER easy! Granted, if you're low on time and energy, you can always purchase cauliflower rice via your Amazon or other stores that sell great healthy options.

However, if you're into making it from scratch like I did, then look no further. This recipe includes a handful of easy steps that will ensure that your rice comes out perfectly by simply using a food processor.

• Start off by breaking up the cauliflower into florets and rinsing and then patting dry.
• Next---add the florets to a food processor, pulsing a few times until fully broken up and minced into a "rice-like" consistency.
• Lastly, you add the cauliflower to a skillet along with your seasoning and a few ingredients and wallah!

Adding Greens

If you want to add different greens to this shrimp, kale + cauliflower rice, you certainly can. My article, Our Top 12 Favorite Healthy Green Leafy Vegetables shares a list of great greens! Off the top—-spinach or collard greens make great additions. Also, roasted broccolini is one of my faves to add.

Storage Suggestions

Cauliflower rice is at it's best when it's hot and soft. However, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. To serve, reheat the cauliflower rice on the stove or in the microwave in 30-second intervals until softened. If necessary, add a dash more milk, cream, or water to help loosen it up. You can store leftover shrimp in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.

More Seafood Related Recipes

• Sheet Pan Garlic Herb Salmon, Lobster + Veggies
• One Pot Creamy Lobster + Orzo
• Savory Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
• Best Easy Blackened Shrimp Po'Boy

Spicy Cajun Shrimp, Kale + Cauliflower Rice

5 from 13 votes

These hearty Spicy Cajun Shrimp, Kale + Cauliflower Rice is full of flavor and full comfort in just one pot.

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 30 mins

Serves: 4 servings

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Ingredients

CAULIFLOWER RICE:

• 2 head of Cauliflower, chopped in medium chunks + rinsed
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ cup veggie stock
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce
• 2-3 Tbsps cajun seasoning, homemade or store-bought (See Notes)
• 1 teaspoon freshly-squeezed lemon juice

SHRIMP + OTHERS:

• 2 lbs. Colossal shrimp
• 1-2 Tbsps cajun seasoning, homemade or store-bought (See Notes)
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 2 cups kale, de-stemmed + chopped
• 2 Tbsps unsalted butter, for cooking
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, whole or halved
• 1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzle

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

TO MAKE CAULIFLOWER RICE:

• Once you've broken cauliflower head into florets and rinsed and patted them dry, add florets to a food processor. Pulse a few times until cauliflower is broken down/minced into a "rice-like" consistency. Set aside.

SAUTEE THE SHRIMP:

• In a medium 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat, add 2 Tbsps of butter until melted. Add in the minced garlic to sauté frequently about 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Next, add in the shrimp (seasoned w/ cajun seasoning + parsley) and cook on both sides (about 3-4 minutes), until pink and cook through. Remove shrimp from the skillet unto a plate and set aside.

ASSEMBLY:

• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• In the same skillet (with juices from shrimp + all), add riced cauliflower and mix everything together. Next, add seasonings, lemon juice, and hot sauce and stir again. Cook for 2-3 minutes until cauliflower rice has fully soaked in everything is becomes tender. Add in the kale, tomatoes, and shrimp ensuring that they are spread out evenly.
• Drizzle everything lightly with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and place skillet directly in oven to bake for 8-10 minutes, until the kale has wilted and the tomatoes have become slightly tender.
• Remove from oven and serve immediately. Garnish with dried parsley and extra hot sauce, if desired.
• Bon Appetit!

Tips & Tricks

• STORAGE: Leftovers can be kept in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Re-heat when ready to serve.
• SPICES/HERBS: If desired, you can reduce the amounts slightly. Please know that this recipe is bold in flavor, so feel free to adjust based on your tastebuds.
• HOMEMADE CAJUN SEASONING: To make your won cajun season, see my Spicy Southern Shrimp + Grits recipe.
• CAJUN SEASONING (STORAGE): Any leftover cajun seasoning mix can be stored in a ziplock bag for later use or used as garnish. 

 

Nutrition

Calories: 322kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 380mg | Sodium: 507mg | Potassium: 1032mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 6550IU | Vitamin C: 53mg | Calcium: 264mg | Iron: 4mg

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Spicy Cajun Shrimp, Kale + Cauliflower Rice.

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