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5.0 from 207 votes

Jambalaya (No Mushy Rice!)

Get a taste of New Orleans comfort food with this jambalaya recipe. It's a mix of chicken, sausage, shrimp, veggies, and rice — brimming with Cajun and Creole flavors. Watch the video below to see how I make it in my kitchen!

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 458 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Cajun

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 11 ounces fully-cooked andouille sausage sliced
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun Seasoning
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 2 green bell pepper deseeded and diced
  • 2 ribs of celery diced
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 ½ cups uncooked long grain white rice rinsed
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 (15-ounce can) crushed tomatoes
  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 pound large shrimp (in the 16-20 count range) peeled and deveined
  • sliced green onions and chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Season the chicken. In a medium mixing bowl toss together the diced chicken with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, until evenly coated.
  2. Cook the chicken. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large Dutch oven or wide-bottomed (and preferably deep) pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and saute until lightly golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate.
  3. Cook the sausage. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil along with the sausage to the same pan and saute for a couple of minutes, until lightly browned on both sides. Remove the sausage to the plate with the chicken.
  4. Saute the veggies. Add the onion, bell pepper, and celery, and saute for 4 to 5 minutes, until the veggies have softened. If you need to add a splash more oil feel free to do so.
  5. Add the garlic and spices. Add the minced garlic, the remaining 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, and the red pepper flakes to the pan. Stir together for 30 seconds.
  6. Add the rice and liquid. Add the rice and toast with the veggies and spices by stirring for a minute. Then add the bay leaf, tomatoes, and broth. Give it a stir, bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, and cover. Cook for about 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally just to make sure the rice isn't sticking to the bottom of the pot, until the rice is al dente. *see notes on rice below
  7. Add the shrimp. Remove the bay leaf, add the shrimp to the pan along with the sausage and chicken, gently stir, cover, and turn off the heat. The shrimp will cook through in about 4 to 5 minutes, and all of the liquid should be absorbed by the rice. Taste the jambalaya and season with extra salt and pepper if you'd like.
  8. Garnish. Before serving, garnish with sliced green onions and chopped parsley.

Notes

  • The variety of rice you use, along with the type of pot and stovetop temperature really impacts the cooking time and whether the rice goes soft and mushy, or if the grains stay fluffy. Basmati and jasmine rice can cook quickly, so I'd recommend checking on the texture at around 7 to 8 minutes. It's best to stop when it's al dente, as it will keep cooking when you add the shrimp and let it sit. If using parboiled rice or long-grain brown rice, you will need to cook the rice longer and add additional broth or water. 
  • Make sure to use a large Dutch oven or stock pot. This recipe makes a good amount, and it's easier to stir in a large pot. 

Nutrition Information

Calories 458kcal (23%) Carbohydrates 38g (13%) Protein 32g (64%) Fat 20g (31%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat 4g Monounsaturated Fat 10g Trans Fat 0.1g Cholesterol 159mg (53%) Sodium 793mg (33%) Potassium 731mg (21%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 4g (8%) Vitamin A 1261IU (25%) Vitamin C 30mg (33%) Calcium 84mg (8%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 458

% Daily Value*

Calories 458kcal 23%
Carbohydrates 38g 13%
Protein 32g 64%
Fat 20g 31%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g 24%
Monounsaturated Fat 10g 50%
Trans Fat 0.1g 5%
Cholesterol 159mg 53%
Sodium 793mg 33%
Potassium 731mg 16%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 4g 8%
Vitamin A 1261IU 25%
Vitamin C 30mg 33%
Calcium 84mg 8%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.