Hands-down the best jambalaya recipe! It is surprisingly easy to make, customizable with your favorite proteins (I used chicken, shrimp and Andouille sausage), and full of bold, zesty, Cajun jambalaya flavors that everyone will love.
This jambalaya recipe is savory, spicy, and oh-so satisfying. The Allrecipes community can’t get enough of the top-rated jambalaya — it has earned more than 1,000 rave reviews from happy home cooks.
About Jambalaya Recipe
Jambalaya is a one-pot dish that’s made with rice, meat or seafood, and vegetables. With French and Spanish influences, jambalaya is quite similar to paella. The name “jambalaya” likely comes from the Provençal word “jambalaia,” which means mishmash.
Like many Cajun and Creole foods, jambalaya starts with the Cajun holy trinity: a flavor base of onion, bell peppers, and celery.
Jambalaya Ingredients
These are the ingredients you’ll need to make the best jambalaya of your life:
· Oil: Chicken and andouille sausage are sautéed in peanut oil.
· Sausage: Opt for andouille sausage for the most authentic jambalaya.
· Chicken: Cut one pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces.
· Spices and seasonings: This chicken and sausage jambalaya is flavored with Cajun seasoning, fresh garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and file powder.
· Vegetables: You’ll need an onion, green bell peppers, and celery.
· Rice: Opt for plain white rice for this jambalaya recipe.
· Broth: Use store-bought or homemade chicken broth to cook the rice.
Also Read: Korean Fried Chicken (Yangnyeom Chicken)
How to Make Jambalaya
You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below – but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this tried-and-true chicken and sausage jambalaya:
1. Cook the meat: Season the sausage and chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning. Sauté the sausage until browned, then remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Sauté chicken until lightly browned on all sides. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
2. Cook the vegetables: In the same pot, sauté the onion, celery, bell pepper, and garlic until tender. Stir in the crushed tomatoes and seasonings. Add the meat and cook for 10 minutes.
3. Add the rice: Stir in the rice and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and cook until all the liquid is absorbed.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH JAMBALAYA
Since this dish is already incredibly hearty, I would recommend serving it with anything light and fresh, such as:
- My favorite Everyday Salad recipe
- Fresh sliced seasonal fruit (or this Berry Fruit Salad or Winter Fruit Salad)
- Iced tea, crisp dry white wine, or maybe a round of Moscow Mules
