Description
This Easy Jambalaya is a bold, one-pot Southern classic packed with tender chicken, smoky sausage, aromatic veggies, and perfectly seasoned rice. Ready in under an hour, it’s hearty, comforting, and full of flavor—perfect for a weeknight dinner or casual gathering.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, diced
- 8 oz smoked sausage (like andouille), sliced
- 1 tbsp oil (vegetable or olive)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 1 tbsp Cajun or Creole seasoning
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Hot sauce (optional, to taste)
- 1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined (optional)
- Chopped green onions or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Add sliced sausage to the pot and cook until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté onion, bell pepper, and celery for about 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Return chicken and sausage to the pot. Stir in crushed tomatoes, rice, chicken broth, Cajun seasoning, paprika, thyme, and hot sauce if using.
- Bring to a simmer, then cover and reduce heat. Cook for 20–25 minutes, or until rice is tender and liquid is mostly absorbed.
- If using shrimp, stir them in during the last 5 minutes of cooking until pink and opaque.
- Remove from heat, let rest 5 minutes, then fluff and garnish with green onions or parsley. Serve hot.
Notes
- Add shrimp at the end for a seafood twist.
- Make it spicier with cayenne or more hot sauce.
- Use veggie broth and beans for a vegetarian version.
- Swap white rice for brown rice and adjust cooking time/liquid.
- Make it Creole-style by adding extra tomatoes and herbs.
- Reheat with a splash of broth to keep it moist.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
