Description

Bring the bold, smoky flavors of Louisiana right into your kitchen with this Easy Homemade Jambalaya. It’s a one-pot comfort meal filled with andouille sausage, tender chicken, juicy shrimp, and a fragrant rice base seasoned with Creole spices. Perfect for an easy dinner, weekend meal prep, or even as a show-stopping dish for guests, this jambalaya recipe is hearty, colorful, and wildly flavorful. A must-try for lovers of Southern food ideas, quick dinner recipes, or anyone on the lookout for easy recipe inspiration.

Ingredients

8 oz andouille sausage, sliced

1 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into chunks

1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

2 celery stalks, diced

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juices

3 cups chicken broth

1 tablespoon Creole seasoning

1 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

1 bay leaf

2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

2 tablespoons cooking oil

Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sliced andouille sausage and cook until browned. Remove and set aside.

2. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then sear until golden on both sides. Set aside with sausage.

3. In the same pot, sauté onion, celery, and bell peppers until soft. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.

4. Stir in diced tomatoes, Creole seasoning, paprika, thyme, cayenne, and bay leaf. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes.

5. Add rice and chicken broth. Stir to combine. Nestle sausage and chicken into the pot. Bring to a simmer.

6. Cover and cook over low heat for 20–25 minutes, without lifting the lid.

7. Stir in shrimp, cover again, and cook for 5–7 more minutes, until shrimp are pink and cooked through.

8. Remove bay leaf. Sprinkle with green onions and parsley. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve hot.

Notes

For extra flavor, deglaze the pot with a splash of broth after browning the sausage.

Long-grain rice is essential to avoid a mushy texture.

Add shrimp only at the end to prevent overcooking.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Cajun/Creole

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Calories: 420
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 820
Fat: 18
Saturated Fat: 5
Unsaturated Fat: 11
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 35
Fiber: 3
Protein: 25
Cholesterol: 165

Keywords: easy recipe, jambalaya, creole rice, one pot dinner, southern comfort food, quick dinner