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How to Make Jambalaya - Easy Recipe Guide

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How to make jambalaya at home with this simple recipe. One-pot meal packed with rice, chicken, sausage and seafood. Perfect for dinner parties!
Course main dish
Cuisine cajun, creole
Keyword chicken sausage rice, creole cooking, easy jambalaya, jambalaya recipe, louisiana jambalaya, one pot meal, southern food, spicy rice dish
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 8 people
Calories 420

Equipment

  • Essential Tools:
  • Large heavy pot or Dutch oven
  • Sharp knife for chopping
  • Wooden spoon for stirring
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Helpful Items:
  • Large serving spoon
  • Small bowls for prepped ingredients
  • Kitchen timer

Ingredients

Meat and Seafood:

  • 1 pound chicken thighs cut into chunks
  • 8 ounces andouille sausage sliced
  • 1 pound medium shrimp peeled
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Vegetables:

  • 1 large onion diced
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 2 celery stalks diced
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 green onions chopped

Rice and Seasonings:

  • 2 cups long-grain white rice
  • 3 ½ cups chicken broth
  • 1 can diced tomatoes 14 oz
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

  • Prep: Dice veggies, slice sausage, season chicken.
  • Brown Meats: Heat oil → brown chicken → remove. Brown sausage → remove, keep fat.
  • Veggies: Sauté onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic (8 min).
  • Build Flavor: Add tomatoes, spices, bay leaves, chicken & sausage. Stir in rice, toast 2–3 min. Add broth.
  • Cook: Bring to boil → cover → simmer low 18–20 min. (Don’t stir).
  • Shrimp: Add shrimp on top, cover, cook 3–5 min until pink.
  • Finish: Rest 5 min, remove bay leaves, fluff rice, garnish with green onions.