Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a splash of olive oil. Once shimmering, add sliced smoked sausage, cooking for about 5-7 minutes until browned and caramelized. Stir occasionally to ensure even browning, then remove the sausage from the skillet and set it aside while you prepare the base of your Cajun Honey Garlic Sausage Rice.

In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil if needed, and toss in the chopped yellow onion. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and starts to soften. Then, add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring until fragrant.

Now, stir in the diced red and green bell peppers along with the optional jalapeño if you like a bit of heat. Cook the mixture for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the peppers start to soften.

Pour in the rinsed long-grain rice and stir to coat it with the vegetable mix. Then, add chicken broth to the skillet, ensuring the rice is fully submerged. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, which should take about 2-3 minutes.

Once boiling, sprinkle in the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to taste. Stir well to combine all the seasonings and ensure the rice absorbs the flavorful broth. Reduce the heat to low, cover your skillet tightly, and let it simmer for 18-20 minutes or until the rice is tender.

While the rice cooks, take a small bowl and combine honey, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard. Whisk them together until smooth.

After the rice is cooked, unearth the flavorful sausage you set aside earlier and fold it into the rice mixture. Drizzle the honey garlic sauce over the entire dish, stirring gently to evenly distribute the flavors.

Remove the skillet from heat and let it sit covered for another 5 minutes. When ready, fluff the Cajun Honey Garlic Sausage Rice with a fork.