Jambalaya with Cajun Flavors (Printer-Friendly)
Hearty Louisiana dish with shrimp, chicken, sausage, rice, and bold Cajun spices for a comforting meal.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Proteins
01 -
Boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into uniform pieces (about 1 pound)
02 -
Large shrimp, peeled and deveined (about 12 ounces)
03 -
Andouille sausage, sliced (8 ounces)
→ Grains
04 -
Long grain white rice, rinsed (1 cup)
→ Vegetables
05 -
Celery stalks, diced (2 medium stalks)
06 -
Medium yellow onion, diced (1 medium)
07 -
Red bell pepper, diced (1 medium)
08 -
Garlic cloves, minced (3 cloves)
→ Pantry
09 -
Tomato paste (2 tablespoons)
10 -
Unsalted butter (2 tablespoons)
11 -
Vegetable or canola oil (2 tablespoons)
12 -
Old Bay Seasoning (2 teaspoons)
13 -
Cayenne pepper (1/4 teaspoon, adjust to taste)
14 -
Dried thyme (1/2 teaspoon)
15 -
Chicken broth, low sodium (2 1/2 cups)
16 -
Bay leaves (2 leaves)
17 -
Salt and black pepper, to taste
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
In separate bowls, season chicken pieces and shrimp with Old Bay Seasoning, ensuring even coating to infuse flavor.
02 -
Rinse the long grain white rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch, then cook according to package instructions until fluffy and set aside.
03 -
Heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add sausage slices and brown them until caramelized, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
04 -
Using the same skillet, brown chicken pieces thoroughly on all sides, then remove. Repeat with shrimp until just cooked through, then set aside separately.
05 -
Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet, then add diced onion, red bell pepper, and celery. Cook gently until vegetables become translucent and tender, about 7 minutes, stirring frequently.
06 -
Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, then add tomato paste. Mix continuously to fully integrate the tomato paste with the vegetables.
07 -
Add remaining Old Bay Seasoning, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper to the skillet. Pour in chicken broth and add bay leaves. Stir to combine and bring mixture to a gentle simmer.
08 -
Cover the skillet, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and encourage flavor melding.
09 -
Remove bay leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary. Off the heat, gently fold in the cooked rice, chicken, sausage, and shrimp until evenly combined and heated through.
10 -
Serve warm as a hearty, flavorful meal. Optionally garnish with fresh scallions or parsley and a squeeze of lemon for brightness.
# Helpful Hints:
01 -
Rinsing rice prevents clumping and maintains a fluffy texture. Browning proteins deeply enhances the dish’s complexity. Flavors improve when allowed to rest overnight.