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- 1 lb chicken breast, diced - 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined - 1 cup smoked sausage, sliced - 1 medium onion, chopped - 1 bell pepper (red or green), chopped - 2 stalks celery, chopped - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies - 3 cups chicken broth - 2 cups long-grain rice - 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning - 1 teaspoon dried thyme - 1 bay leaf - 3 green onions, sliced for garnish - 2 tablespoons olive oil - Salt and pepper to taste For this recipe, use these exact amounts: - Chicken: 1 lb diced - Shrimp: 1 lb cleaned - Sausage: 1 cup sliced - Onion: 1 medium, chopped - Bell Pepper: 1 chopped - Celery: 2 stalks chopped - Garlic: 4 cloves minced - Diced Tomatoes: 1 can (14.5 oz) - Chicken Broth: 3 cups - Rice: 2 cups - Cajun Seasoning: 2 tablespoons - Thyme: 1 teaspoon - Bay Leaf: 1 - Green Onions: 3 for garnish - Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons - Salt and Pepper: to taste If you don’t have one ingredient, try these: - Chicken can be swapped with turkey. - Use any type of sausage, like andouille or mild. - For a veggie twist, skip the meat and add more vegetables. Here are the tools you need: - A large pot or Dutch oven - A sharp knife for chopping - A cutting board - Measuring cups and spoons - A wooden spoon for stirring - Ladle for serving These tools help you work efficiently and enjoy the cooking process. Grab them, and you will be ready to make a delicious jambalaya! {{ingredient_image_1}} First, heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add one pound of diced chicken breast. Cook the chicken until it turns brown on all sides. This step takes about 5-7 minutes. Once done, remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside on a plate. Next, add one cup of sliced smoked sausage to the pot. Cook the sausage until it browns, which should take around 3-4 minutes. After it cooks, remove the sausage and keep it with the chicken. This helps keep the flavors rich. Now, it's time to sauté the vegetables. Add one chopped onion, one chopped bell pepper, two chopped celery stalks, and four minced garlic cloves to the pot. Stir these together and cook for about 5-7 minutes. You want the vegetables to soften and become fragrant. This is crucial for building flavor in your Jambalaya. After the vegetables are soft, add a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies, three cups of chicken broth, two tablespoons of Cajun seasoning, one teaspoon of dried thyme, and one bay leaf to the pot. Stir well to combine all of these ingredients. Next, return the cooked chicken and sausage to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil and then add two cups of long-grain rice. Stir again to mix everything. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 25 minutes. This helps the rice absorb all the flavors. Once the rice is cooked, gently fold in one pound of peeled and deveined shrimp. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the shrimp turns pink. Finally, remove the bay leaf, season with salt and pepper, and give it one last stir. Your Jambalaya is ready to serve! To cook Jambalaya well, start with medium heat. This helps brown the meat and cook the veggies. Stir often to blend the flavors. After adding the rice, lower the heat. Cover the pot to trap steam. This helps the rice cook evenly. Simmering is key. It allows the flavors to meld together. If you don’t simmer long enough, the rice may be too hard. Keep an eye on it, stirring gently every now and then. To boost flavor, use fresh herbs. Consider adding parsley or cilantro. They add brightness to your dish. You can also try a squeeze of lemon juice before serving. This small step can elevate your meal. Optional spices like cayenne pepper or paprika can add extra heat. If you like more spice, add a bit more Cajun seasoning too. Experimenting with these can create your perfect dish. Serving your Jambalaya well makes it more appealing. Use wide bowls or a big platter. This allows everyone to see the colorful ingredients. For garnishing, sprinkle sliced green onions on top. They add a nice crunch and a pop of color. You can also add fresh parsley for extra flair. A lemon wedge on the side looks great and adds flavor. Pro Tips Use Quality Ingredients: Opt for fresh, high-quality chicken and shrimp to enhance the overall flavor of your jambalaya. Adjust Spice Levels: If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the amount of Cajun seasoning or add it gradually to taste. One-Pot Wonder: This dish is designed to be cooked in one pot, which helps to marry the flavors beautifully. Avoid stirring too much once the rice is added. Rest Before Serving: Let the jambalaya sit for about 5 minutes after cooking before serving. This allows the flavors to settle and the rice to firm up. {{image_2}} You can change the protein in your jambalaya. Try using: - 1 lb diced pork - 1 lb crawfish - 1 lb diced turkey If you want a veggie option, use: - 1 can of chickpeas - 1 cup of diced mushrooms - 1 cup of zucchini These swaps keep the dish tasty and fun. Want your jambalaya spicier? You can change the heat by: - Adding more Cajun seasoning - Mixing in cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes Start small and taste as you go. This helps you find the right heat for you. You can swap out the rice for different kinds. Here are some ideas: - Quinoa takes about 15 minutes to cook. - Brown rice needs about 40 minutes. - Cauliflower rice cooks in just 5-7 minutes. Make sure to adjust the liquid based on your rice choice. Enjoy exploring these variations! To store leftover Jambalaya, let it cool first. Place it in an airtight container. This method keeps the flavors fresh. Jambalaya lasts in the fridge for about three to four days. Always check for any signs of spoilage before eating. You can freeze Jambalaya for longer storage. Use a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags. Make sure to leave space for expansion. It can last for up to three months in the freezer. To reheat, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Then, heat it on the stove or microwave until hot. Stir it well to ensure even heating. Get creative with your leftovers! You can turn Jambalaya into a filling for tacos or burritos. Mix it with scrambled eggs for a tasty breakfast. Another idea is to add it to soups or casseroles. This way, you can enjoy Jambalaya in new and fun meals. Jambalaya is a rice dish that comes from Louisiana. It blends Spanish, French, and West African flavors. This dish often includes meat, seafood, and vegetables mixed with rice. Typical proteins are chicken, shrimp, and sausage. The dish is famous for its rich, bold taste and colorful appearance. Jambalaya can be served at parties or family meals. It reflects the culture and history of the Southern United States. To make Jambalaya spicy, add more Cajun seasoning. You can also include fresh peppers like jalapeños or cayenne. Another option is to use spicy sausage instead of regular sausage. You might also add hot sauce for an extra kick. Start with small amounts to find your perfect heat level. Yes, you can make Jambalaya ahead of time. It actually tastes better after sitting for a bit. Cool it down and store it in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat it on the stove or in the microwave. Just add a splash of broth to keep it moist. Jambalaya pairs well with various side dishes. A fresh green salad adds a nice crunch. Cornbread is another great choice to soak up the sauce. You can also serve it with steamed vegetables for a healthy option. Don’t forget some hot sauce on the side for those who want more heat! This blog post gave you the key to making delicious Jambalaya. You learned about important ingredients like chicken, shrimp, and rich spices. I provided clear steps to prepare the dish, from protein cooking to sautéing veggies. Tips helped boost flavors, and variations showed how to customize meals. Jambalaya is fun and flexible. With these guidelines, you can impress your friends and family. Enjoy experimenting and making it your own!

Fiery Cajun Jambalaya

A spicy and flavorful one-pot dish featuring chicken, shrimp, and sausage with rice.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Cajun
Servings 6
Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb chicken breast, diced
  • 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 cup smoked sausage, sliced
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 bell pepper chopped (red or green)
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups long-grain rice
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3 green onions sliced for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • to taste salt and pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and cook until browned on all sides. Remove from the pot and set aside.
  • In the same pot, add the sliced sausage and cook until browned. Remove and set aside with the chicken.
  • Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic to the pot. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
  • Add the diced tomatoes with their juices, chicken broth, Cajun seasoning, thyme, bay leaf, and cooked chicken and sausage back to the pot. Stir well to combine.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil, then add the rice. Stir again, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 25 minutes until the rice is cooked.
  • After the rice is cooked, gently fold in the shrimp and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink and cooked through.
  • Remove the bay leaf, season with salt and pepper to taste, and give it a final stir.

Notes

Serve hot in bowls or on a large platter, garnished with sliced green onions. You can also add a sprinkle of fresh parsley for an extra pop of color!
Keyword Cajun, chicken, jambalaya, seafood, spicy