Description
Jambalaya is a traditional Louisiana Creole and Cajun dish with roots tracing back to French, Spanish, and African influences. It’s often described as a hearty rice-based meal cooked with meat (usually chicken, sausage, and sometimes seafood), vegetables, and a powerful blend of seasonings.
Ingredients
Proteins:
- 500 g boneless chicken thighs, cubed
- 250 g spicy Andouille sausage, sliced
- Optional: 200 g shrimp, peeled & deveined
Veggies & Aromatics:
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 spring onions, sliced (white & green parts separated)
Pantry:
- 2 tbsp canola or vegetable oil
- 1½ cups long-grain white rice
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt & pepper to taste
Cajun Spice Blend:
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
1. Sear the Meats
Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pot. Brown chicken pieces with half the Cajun seasoning. Remove and set aside. Sauté sausage until golden; set aside.
2. Build the Base
Add onion, bell pepper, celery, and white parts of spring onion. Cook until softened. Stir in garlic and remaining Cajun seasoning. Cook 1 minute.
3. Toast & Simmer
Add tomato paste and rice. Stir to coat and toast lightly. Return meats to the pot. Add Worcestershire, bay leaf, and warm stock. Bring to a boil.
4. Cook the Jambalaya
Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25–30 minutes until rice is tender and liquid absorbed. If using shrimp, add in the last 5 minutes.
5. Finish & Serve
Fluff rice with a fork. Stir in green spring onions. Adjust seasoning. Serve hot with crusty bread or cornbread.
Notes
For an authentic touch, try using a mix of chicken, sausage, and shrimp, but feel free to swap in your favorite proteins or keep it vegetarian with beans and extra veggies. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving brightens up the bold Cajun spices.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 990mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: Cajun jambalaya recipe, Spicy jambalaya with sausage and chicken, Louisiana jambalaya recipe