Description
Jambalaya is a hearty and flavorful Southern dish, combining rice, meats, seafood, vegetables, and aromatic spices for a truly satisfying meal.
Ingredients
1 pound Andouille sausage, sliced
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 medium onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
3 stalks of celery, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups long-grain rice, rinsed and drained
6 cups chicken broth (preferably low-sodium)
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup frozen peas
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
2 tablespoons olive oil (for cooking)
Instructions
- Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 5-7 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from the pot and set aside.
- In the same pot, add the diced onion, bell peppers, and celery. Sauté for about 4-5 minutes, until the vegetables are soft. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the Cajun seasoning, thyme, cayenne pepper, and bay leaf. Add the rinsed rice and stir to coat the grains with the vegetable mixture and spices.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes (including the liquid) and chicken broth. Scrape the bottom of the pot to incorporate all the flavor bits.
- Return the cooked chicken to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and has absorbed the liquid.
- Stir in the shrimp, then cover and cook for another 5 minutes, until the shrimp are pink and fully cooked.
- Remove from heat and let sit for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!
Notes
Try different meats like smoked sausage, kielbasa, or fish like catfish for variety.
For a vegetarian version, swap the meat with plant-based proteins like tempeh and use vegetable broth.
If you like a spicier dish, add extra cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
For seafood-only Jambalaya, omit the chicken and sausage, focusing on shrimp and other shellfish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 160mg
