Delicious and authentic Jambalaya

Even though I’m a native Texan, Cajun blood runs deep within my veins.

Every year we visit my Mom’s side of the family who lives outside of New Orleans for Christmas. And every Christmas we “Texas-folk” get to experience authentic Cajun cooking.

My Nanny will order in catering from this incredible restaurant down the street and we will all pig out on crawfish etouffée, shrimp creole, sausage and shrimp gumbo (made with the BEST gumbo roux) and chicken and sausage jambalaya.  

And that’s exactly how this recipe was created—after decades of tasting what TRUE and AUTHENTIC Cajun jambalaya tastes like, and dozens of rounds of recipe testing.

Why You Don’t Want to Miss Out

This is a jambalaya recipe that’s made with a good bit of spice from the andouille sausage and Creole seasoning, has some tomato flavor, and tender grains without being too mushy.

It’s by far the best I’ve found—and yes, even better than Creole Jambalaya from New Orleans’ most famous restaurants!

Ingredients and Substitutions

For the exact measurements and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card below.

Chicken, sausage, celery, onion, bell pepper, garlic, broth, rice, and Cajun spices are the main ingredients for this dish.
  • Tomatoes. You’ll need a combination of canned diced tomatoes and tomato paste to give additional umami flavor.
  • Chicken. One pound of skinless chicken thighs are cut into ½-inch cubes. You can sub in boneless skinless chicken breasts if preferred.
  • Sausage. Bite-sized pieces of andouille sausage add a spicy kick. You can leave the chicken and sausage out and replace with tofu for a vegetarian option.
  • White Rice. Make sure you use a long grain rice that is white and not brown. Brown rice requires more liquid and will not fully cook.
  • Holy Trinity. A combination of celery, onion, and green bell pepper are sautéed together to give this jambalaya its base of flavor.
  • Seasonings. Fresh garlic, dried basil, thyme, and cayenne pepper make up an authentic Cajun seasoning mix. You’ll also want bay leaves, oregano, kosher salt, and black pepper.
  • Broth. Regular sodium chicken broth was tested in this recipe. If you are watching your sodium intake you can use reduced sodium broth and adjust the salt to taste. Stick with vegetable broth for a vegetarian jambalaya.
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Step-by-step Instructions

Please see the recipe card below for the full instructions, ingredient amounts, and a printable recipe.

Cook the meat.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a Dutch oven over medium. Add sausage in a single layer and cook 3–4 minutes per side until browned, then remove with a slotted spoon. Add another tablespoon oil, sear chicken 2–3 minutes without moving, then cook 3–4 more minutes until browned on all sides (not fully cooked). Transfer to the plate with sausage.

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Sauté the veggies, then simmer.

Place the bell pepper, onion, and celery in the pot and sauté for 2 minutes. Stir in the garlic. Sauté for one more minute.

Pour the broth into the pot, being careful of splashing. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pan to remove any stuck brown bits or pieces. Add the white rice, diced tomatoes, Cajun seasoning, basil, oregano, salt, black pepper, and bay leaf. Return the chicken and sausage to the pan. Give everything a good stir. Turn the heat to high and let everything come to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot with a lid, and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes.

Pro Tip: Make sure you rinse the rice thoroughly under running water for 1 minute before using. This helps to prevent it from clumping together.

Serve the Jambalaya.

Remove the lid from the pot and let the jambalaya rest for another 5 to 10 minutes. Carefully remove the bay leaves and stir the mixture. Top with some fresh parsley when ready to serve.

Jambalaya is filled with rice, chicken, and sausage and seasoned with Cajun spices.

FAQs

What is Jambalaya?

Jambalaya is a rice dish with different types of meat, usually lean chicken and smoky sausage, along with veggies and seasoned with Cajun or blackened spices. It is a staple in Creole cooking in Louisiana, specifically in favorite restaurants in the New Orleans area. Different types of jambalaya will have a variety of ingredients, but the result is always a flavorful and spicy rice dish, somewhat reminiscent of Spanish paella.

What is the difference between gumbo and jambalaya? 

Both gumbo and jambalaya are Louisiana favorites with very similar flavors and ingredients. However, the main difference is that gumbo is made from a roux and has more of a stew texture while jambalaya is a rice dish, similar to Spanish paella.

Can you freeze jambalaya? 

While you can freeze jambalaya, note the texture will change upon thawing. Often, the rice will end up mushy while the veggies will get soggy. However, it is definitely safe to freeze it if needed.

What to serve with it?

Jambalaya is hearty enough that it can absolutely be a meal on its own. However, if you’d like a few more vegetables, here are some side dish ideas to try.

Keep it easy with Air Fryer BroccoliAir Fryer Carrots, or Air Fryer Zucchini.

You can also choose a salad, like Massaged Kale Salad with Avocado or Lemon Arugula Salad.

Roasted Cauliflower or an Air Fryer Baked Potato are delicious, too.

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4.89 from 42 votes

Cajun Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya

This Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya recipe is a family favorite! It's an authentic Louisiana recipe but is secretly so easy to make at home.
A Dutch oven full of a sausage Jambalaya recipe for a Cajun Mardi Gras party.
Yield 8 servings
Prep 30 minutes
Cook 30 minutes
Total 1 hour
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Ingredients 

  • 2 tablespoons oil divided
  • 12 ounces andouille sausage cut into half-inch slices
  • 1 pound chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 green bell pepper finely diced
  • 1 small sweet onion finely diced
  • 3 stalks celery finely diced
  • 4 garlic cloves finely minced
  • 1 ¾ – 2 cups chicken broth regular sodium*
  • 1 ½ cups long grain white rice rinsed and drained
  • 14.5 ounces can diced tomatoes regular or fire roasted
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning homemade or store bought
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon basil dried
  • 1 teaspoon oregano dried
  • 1 ¼ teaspoons salt to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • Cook the Sausage: Add 1 tablespoon of oil to a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Once heated, add the sausage in as close to single layer as possible. Cook for 3-4 minutes, or until browned, flip, and then brown the other side for an additional 3-4 minutes. Remove the browned sausage from the pot and let drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
    2 tablespoons oil, 12 ounces andouille sausage
  • Cook the Chicken: Add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Once heated, carefully add the cubed chicken. Cook for 2-3 minutes, undisturbed, in order to get a crusty sear. Flip over and continue cooking for a total of 5-6 minutes, or until browned on all sides. Remove from the pot and let drain on the paper towel-lined plate with the sausage.
    2 tablespoons oil, 1 pound chicken thighs
  • Sauté the Veggies: Add the bell pepper, onion, and celery. Sauté for 2 minutes. Add garlic and continue sautéing for another minute.
    1 green bell pepper, 1 small sweet onion, 3 stalks celery, 4 garlic cloves
  • Add the Rice, Seasonings, and Tomato: Pour in the broth and scrape the bottom of the pot to ensure there are no bits or pieces stuck. Stir in the white rice, diced tomatoes, Cajun seasoning, basil, oregano, salt, black pepper, and bay leaf. Carefully add the chicken and sausage and stir to combine.
    1 ¾ – 2 cups chicken broth, 1 ½ cups long grain white rice, 14.5 ounces can diced tomatoes, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, 2 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon basil, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 ¼ teaspoons salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Bring to Boil then Simmer: Turn the heat to high and bring everything to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low, cover the pot with a lid, and cook for 20-25 minutes.
  • Serve the Jambalaya: Remove the lid and let rest, uncovered, for another 5-10 minutes. Remove the bay leaves, give everything a good stir, and serve with additional chopped fresh parsley. Enjoy!
Last step! If you make this, please leave a review letting us know how it was!

Tap stars to rate!

4.89 from 42 votes

Video

Notes

*This recipe was updated January 8th, 2024.
  • Broth: If you prefer firmer rice, use less broth. If you like softer grains, use more.
  • Chicken: Chicken thighs are best in this recipe.
  • Seasoning: Make your own homemade Cajun seasoning so you can customize the spice level.
  • Prep-Ahead: You can cut the veggies and chicken a day early; simply keep tightly wrapped in the fridge until you’re ready to cook.
  • Storage: Leftover jambalaya will last for up to 3-4 days if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator or up to 4-6 months in the freezer. Reheating rice dishes can be a bit tricky. The best way to warm up leftover jambalaya is to add it to a large pot or skillet with a bit of oil and a touch of water. Warm it up slowly over medium-low heat until it is heated through. You can also warm up it up in the microwave in a microwave-safe dish.

Nutrition

Calories: 399kcal, Carbohydrates: 36g, Protein: 23g, Fat: 18g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 91mg, Sodium: 1005mg, Potassium: 601mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 924IU, Vitamin C: 20mg, Calcium: 67mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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4.89 from 42 votes (10 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Thank you for this recipe!! This is a Keeper for sure!! I made this because I had Andouille Sausage I needed to use up. I did make a few tweeks only because I was trying to use what I had on hand. So in place of the diced tomatoes and tomato paste I substituted with tomato sauce. I added fresh Thyme to it about a teaspoon because I had read another recipe with it in it and I have it growing in my yard. The basil didn’t make it in this round due to my husband helping me and I forgot it. We only added a little bit of the Cajun Seasoning, because I didn’t want it super hot, plus the sausage used was Hot not mild. The chicken I used 2 breasts that I had frozen pre-cooked, I should of used 4 to have more chicken in the dish. I had a red bell pepper not a green 1 so we used the red instead. I also didn’t have chicken base so I used vegetable base to make my broth, we ended up using around 4 cups, I started off with what the recipe called for but it didn’t seem like it had enough liquid to finish the rice and I didn’t want the dish to turn out dry either. I assumed I needed the extra liquid due to the tomato sauce in place of the diced tomatoes. I used my insta-pot to fix this. I first cooked everything on saute then once everything was in the pot and came to a boil I hit cancel and restarted the Insta-pot on slow cook Hi for the remaining time with the lid on. It turned out AMAZING we loved it. I still plan on trying this again as the recipe says as well. Fantastic recipe London we will definitely be making this again!!!

    1. Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Jennifer! Thank you for taking the time to leave a detailed review, this will be helpful. And thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and rating!

    1. Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Lorne! And so glad to hear the family did, too! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and rating!

    1. Ohhh man your family sure is lucky! I bet shrimp and crab would taste SO good in this! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and rating! Happy Cooking! ♡London

  2. I also wish there was a link to the old recipe. That one as really good. I have no idea what to do with the spices now… what does “cajun seasoning” mean? I tried the link within the recipe but it goes to a “blackened seasoning” recipe. Could you just spell out what spices to use? Like in the old recipe?

    1. Hi Emma! I’m sorry for the confusion. Blackened and Cajun are seasonings are often used interchangeably, with blackened being a little less spicy generally. The spices you need are 1 Tbsp. paprika, 1 Tbsp. garlic powder, 1 Tbsp. onion powder, 1 Tbsp. black pepper, 1 tsp. dried thyme, 1 tsp. cayenne pepper, 1 tsp. dried basil, and 1 tsp. dried oregano. Increase the cayenne pepper for more of a kick.