Spice Up Your Dinner with a Sizzling Jambalaya Recipe

Southern kitchens buzz with excitement when a hearty jambalaya with bold spices hits the table.

This classic louisiana dish blends rich culinary traditions with explosive flavors that dance across your palate.

Succulent shrimp, tender chicken, and smoky andouille sausage create a robust jambalaya recipe that promises pure comfort.

Each spoonful carries the warmth of creole seasonings and generations of cooking wisdom.

The secret lies in layering ingredients that build complex, mouth-watering depth.

Peppers, onions, and rice meld together in a symphony of taste that celebrates the spirit of new orleans cuisine.

You’ll want to gather around the pot and savor every single bite of this incredible one-pan masterpiece.

Tools To Make Jambalaya

• Large pan or Dutch oven: Essential for browning meats and cooking entire jambalaya dish.
• Cutting board: Perfect for slicing sausage, chopping vegetables, and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Needed to chop vegetables, slice sausage, and cut chicken into pieces.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients during cooking process.
• Measuring spoons: Help accurately measure spices and seasoning.
• Measuring cups: Useful for precise rice and broth measurements.

How To Cook Jambalaya Step By Step

• Sizzle the Meat

Heat oil in a large pot. Toss in sausage and cook until golden, then set aside. Brown chicken pieces in the same pan and remove.

• Wake Up the Veggies

Splash more oil and dance onions, peppers, and celery around the pan until soft. Sprinkle in garlic and spices, letting them release their wild aroma.

• Create the Flavor Base

Drop rice, tomatoes, broth, and seasonings into the pot. Let everything bubble and simmer, stirring occasionally until rice becomes tender and absorbs all the delicious goodness.

• Bring Everything Together

Return sausage and chicken to the pot. Gently nestle shrimp on top, covering and cooking until they turn a beautiful pink.

• Celebrate Your Culinary Masterpiece

Fish out the bay leaves. Shower the dish with fresh green onions. Serve steaming hot with a squeeze of lemon, ready to transport taste buds to Louisiana.

Tips To Boost The Flavor Of Jambalaya

• Smart Meal Prep: Cook extra jambalaya and store in airtight containers for quick lunches throughout the week. It reheats beautifully and tastes even better the next day.
• Spice Control: Adjust cayenne and Creole seasoning to match your heat tolerance. Start with less, then add more if you want extra kick without overwhelming the dish.
• Protein Swaps: Replace chicken with turkey or swap seafood for tofu to accommodate different dietary preferences. Ensure protein is cooked thoroughly before adding to the pot.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free Creole seasoning and confirm all ingredient labels. Substitute regular rice with cauliflower rice for a lower-carb alternative that maintains authentic flavor profile.
• One-Pot Magic: For easier cleanup, use a single large Dutch oven or cast-iron skillet. This method helps blend flavors and reduces dishes while creating a more concentrated taste experience.

Serving Suggestions For Jambalaya

• Zesty Sidekick Salad: Pair your jambalaya with a crisp, tangy green salad dressed in a light citrus vinaigrette to balance the dish's rich, spicy flavors.
• Bread Buddy Boost: Serve alongside warm, crusty French bread or cornbread to soak up the delicious sauce and add a comforting texture to your meal.
• Cool Drink Companions: Complement the spicy jambalaya with a cold beer, refreshing iced tea, or a zesty white wine like Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the heat.
• Leftover Magic Trick: Transform extra jambalaya into stuffed peppers or a hearty next-day lunch by adding a fresh layer of cheese on top and reheating gently.

Storage Tips And Planning Ideas For Jambalaya

• Refrigerator Revival: Store leftover jambalaya in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, maintaining delicious flavors and textures.
• Quick Freezing Strategy: Package individual portions in freezer-safe containers. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve taste and quality.
• Reheating Magic: Warm portions in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Stir gently to distribute heat evenly and maintain moisture. Microwave works well for quick single servings, stirring halfway through.
• Meal Prep Champion: Perfect for batch cooking. Prepare double batches during weekends. Portion into grab-and-go containers for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week. Flavor actually improves after a day, making it an ideal make-ahead meal.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 480 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need For Jambalaya

• Chicken: Tender protein base that adds hearty flavor and substance to the jambalaya.
• Sausage: Delivers robust, smoky depth and traditional Creole character with spicy undertones.
• Shrimp: Brings delicate seafood sweetness and classic Louisiana coastal essence.

• Onion: Creates foundational savory base with sweet undertones for depth of flavor.
• Bell Peppers: Adds vibrant color, crisp texture, and mild peppery brightness.
• Celery: Provides subtle earthy crunch and traditional Cajun mirepoix component.
• Garlic: Introduces intense aromatic punch and rich umami complexity.

• Chicken Broth: Delivers rich, smooth cooking liquid with enhanced protein flavor.
• Diced Tomatoes: Contributes tangy moisture and slight acidic balance.
• Olive Oil: Ensures smooth sautéing and prevents ingredient sticking.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Introduces deep, complex umami undertone.
• Bay Leaves: Imparts subtle herbal background note during simmering.

• Paprika: Offers warm, slightly sweet red pepper essence.
• Oregano: Brings Mediterranean herbaceous undertone.
• Thyme: Contributes earthy, slightly minty herbal complexity.
• Cayenne: Delivers classic Creole spicy kick.
• Creole Seasoning: Provides authentic Louisiana flavor profile.
• Salt: Enhances and balances overall dish taste.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and aromatic sharpness.

Spicy Jambalaya Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Spicy Cajun jambalaya recipe brings Louisiana’s bold flavors to home kitchens with authentic Creole ingredients. Hearty rice dishes combining shrimp, sausage, and chicken create memorable meals you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
• 200 g (7 oz) shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 200 g (7 oz) smoked andouille sausage (or chorizo, sliced)
• 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice (uncooked)
• 1 (400 g / 14 oz) can diced tomatoes (with juices)
• 3 cups chicken broth (or seafood broth for extra flavor)
• 1 onion (diced)
• 1 green bell pepper (diced)
• 1 red bell pepper (diced)
• 2 celery stalks (chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 2 green onions (chopped)
• Fresh parsley (chopped)
• Lemon wedges (optional, for serving)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp Creole seasoning (or Cajun seasoning)
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• ½ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Searing Proteins: Heat olive oil in a large skillet and caramelize sausage slices until golden, then remove. Repeat the process with chicken pieces, achieving a deep bronze color and setting aside.
2. Vegetable Foundation: In the same pan, sauté onions, bell peppers, and celery until translucent. Introduce garlic and a symphony of spices – paprika, oregano, thyme, cayenne, and Creole seasoning – creating an aromatic base.
3. Liquid Integration: Fold rice into the vegetable mixture, incorporating diced tomatoes and chicken broth. Nestle bay leaves and splash Worcestershire sauce for depth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer until rice absorbs the liquid.
4. Protein Reunion: Return sausage and chicken to the pan, gently nestling them into the rice. Arrange shrimp on top, cover, and cook until they transform into a delicate pink, signaling perfect doneness.
5. Finishing Touch: Remove bay leaves, garnish with freshly chopped green onions and parsley. Serve with lemon wedges, allowing diners to brighten their jambalaya with a citrusy zest.

Notes

• Protein Searing Strategy: Brown meats thoroughly before adding to rice for deep, caramelized flavor development and enhanced taste complexity.
• Vegetable Sauté Technique: Cut vegetables uniformly and cook until translucent to ensure balanced texture and prevent overcrowding the pan.
• Spice Layering Approach: Toast spices briefly with vegetables to release essential oils and intensify their aromatic profiles before liquid integration.
• Rice Moisture Management: Use precise liquid-to-rice ratio and maintain low, steady simmer to prevent burning and achieve perfect rice consistency without becoming mushy.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Cajun/Creole

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 51 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg