Jambalaya Recipe | Diethood

This one-pot jambalaya recipe is easy, delicious, and satisfying thanks to the addition of chicken, shrimp, and spicy andouille sausage. You’re 30 minutes away from a Mardi Gras dinner that the whole family will love!

Easy Homemade Jambalaya Recipe

Jambalaya is my go-to winter stew! During the winter season, I make this jambalaya recipe about once a month. When the weather’s chilly, there’s nothing better than a hearty comfort food dinner with a little bit of heat to warm you up inside and out!

My jambalaya is flavorful and filling, and it’s also the perfect casserole for feeding a crowd. It’s a versatile dish that can be adjusted to suit your personal flavor preferences, and it really is an excellent recipe for those that like to try new things.

What is jambalaya?

Jambalaya is a popular Creole and Cajun dish with African, Spanish, and French influences. Because it originated in Louisiana, it’s often associated with Mardi Gras, but there’s no reason you can’t eat it year-round. (And trust me, you will want to!)

It is often prepared with chicken, shrimp or crawfish, andouille sausage, and rice, although there are all kinds of variations on the classic. The meat-and-rice combo is flavored with the Cajun holy trinity—onion, celery, and green pepper—along with herbs, spices, and diced tomatoes.

In addition to being the ultimate comfort food, this jambalaya recipe is also the ultimate one-pot dinner. You’ve got your veggies, your meat, and your starch all in one convenient pot. We’re talking a perfect weeknight dinner here, friends!

What You’ll Need

Here’s a rundown of the ingredients you’ll need for this jambalaya recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card for the quantities and recipe instructions.

• Yellow onion
• Celery ribs
• Bell peppers: Green is the classic choice for a jambalaya recipe, but you can use red, orange, or yellow if you prefer.
• Garlic
• Boneless skinless chicken breasts: I like boneless skinless chicken breasts because they’re so easy to work with, but you can also use a different cut of chicken.
  Sweet paprika: Sweet paprika is ideal, smoked paprika is delicious too, but avoid hot paprika unless you want your jambalaya super spicy!
• Oregano
• Andouille sausage: Cut the sausage into 1/4-inch rounds.
• Tomato paste: If you buy a can for this recipe, freeze the rest in 1-tablespoon portions, pop them in a freezer bag, and you won’t need to buy a new can next time you need tomato paste!
• Low-sodium fat free chicken broth: Chicken stock can also be used, but because stock is unseasoned, you’ll need to add more salt to the recipe.
• Diced tomatoes
• Long grain rice
• Cajun seasoning: Cajun seasoning can bring a lot of heat, so feel free to adjust to your liking.
• Shrimp: Peel and devein the shrimp.

What Kind of Sausage is Andouille?

Andouille is a Cajun smoked sausage made with pork, onions, pepper, and other seasonings. It’s coarse-grained, and it can be quite spicy, depending on the variety you buy.

How to Make Jambalaya

It’s time to roll up your sleeves and make this hearty jambalaya recipe! Here’s what you’ll need to do.

• Prepare. Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven set over medium heat.

• Cook the trinity. Add the onions, celery, and bell peppers to the Dutch oven and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 4 minutes or until just softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.

• Add the chicken. Stir in the chicken, sweet paprika, and oregano and cook for 5 minutes, or until the chicken is nicely browned on all sides.

• Add the next several ingredients. Add the sausage and tomato paste; stir and cook for 1 minute, then add the chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, rice, and cajun seasoning. Bring the mixture to a boil.
• Simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pot. Cook for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.

• Finish. Add the shrimp and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until it’s pink and cooked through. Remove from heat, garnish with sliced green onions and dried parsley, then serve.

Recipe Tips

As you can see, this jambalaya recipe is easy. That said, these additional tips will help you make it perfect!

• Can’t find andouille sausage? You can use a different type of smoked sausage like kielbasa or chorizo.
• Keep an eye on the rice. After 10 minutes, lift the lid of the Dutch oven and take a peek. If it looks dry, add more chicken broth.
• Don’t overcook it. Jambalaya isn’t a saucy dish, but it isn’t a dry rice dish either, so don’t wait for all of the liquid to absorb. As soon as the rice is tender, you can move onto the next step of the recipe.
• Adjust it to your liking. Cajun food is known for being spicy, but you can always make this jambalaya recipe on the milder side and then let everyone adjust the heat for their own individual servings by adding Tabasco or extra Cajun seasoning.

Serving Suggestions

Jambalaya is a complete meal with protein, vegetables, and grains all in one pot. Serve it as-is, or top it with extra green onions, parsley, or hot sauce. If you’d like to add a side, serve this jambalaya recipe with a small salad to keep it light and healthy or with some cornbread and an acidic red wine like Pinot Noir or Zinfandel.

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Jambalaya

• Leftover jambalaya can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the jambalaya in a saucepan over medium-low heat with a splash of water or broth and gently stir until heated through—or just pop it in the microwave!

Can I Freeze Jambalaya?

• Yes, you can freeze jambalaya for up to 3 months. Store it in an airtight container or freezer bag; let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving, then reheat it over medium-low heat. If it’s dry, stir in a few tablespoons of broth or water.

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ENJOY!