New Orleans Dirty Rice

Here's an authentic New Orleans Dirty Rice recipe, packed with Cajun flavors and traditional ingredients like chicken livers and sausage for that deep, savory taste.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice
• 3 cups chicken broth
• ½ pound chicken livers, finely chopped
• ½ pound ground pork sausage (or ground beef)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
• 2 celery ribs, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for heat)
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook the Rice
   • In a medium pot, bring chicken broth to a boil. Add rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for about 15-18 minutes, or until rice is tender. Remove from heat and let it sit, covered.
2. Cook the Meat
   • Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
   • Add chicken livers and cook until browned, breaking them up with a spoon. Remove from the pan and set aside.
   • In the same pan, add ground pork sausage (or beef) and cook until browned, breaking it up into crumbles.
3. Sauté the Vegetables
   • Add onion, bell pepper, celery (the "Holy Trinity" of Cajun cooking) to the pan. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
   • Stir in the garlic, cooking for another minute.
4. Season and Combine
   • Return the chicken livers to the pan.
   • Stir in salt, black pepper, cayenne, paprika, thyme, and oregano.
   • Add Worcestershire sauce and optional hot sauce for extra kick.
5. Mix in the Rice
   • Stir in the cooked rice, mixing well to combine all the flavors. Let everything cook together for 3-5 minutes so the rice absorbs the flavors.
6. Garnish and Serve
   • Turn off the heat and mix in green onions and parsley.
   • Serve hot with extra hot sauce on the side!

Serving Suggestions

• Pairs perfectly with fried chicken, BBQ ribs, or blackened fish.
• Serve with cornbread and a side of collard greens for a true Southern feast.