This one-pot Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya is an authentic Creole Jambalaya recipe loaded with tender chicken, andouille sausage, and all of the bold flavors of Mardi Gras!
One year ago right now I was taking it easy in the Big Easy, sipping on a beer while listening to some live Dixieland jazz, and working up the courage to wrestle an alligator. In the end, I decided not to wrestle the alligator because I just ate a bunch of Jambalaya and figured I should wait 30 minutes before going back in the water. I wouldn't want to risk getting a cramp, you know.
Though Cajun and Creole dishes rank as some of my favorites foods, I don't wait for return trips to New Orleans to enjoy them. Some of my most practiced recipes are Big Easy classics such as my Red Beans and Rice, and Gumbo recipes. I spent an equal amount of time perfecting this Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya recipe.
What is Authentic Jambalaya
Jambalaya is a classic Cajun and Creole one-pot rice dish found in New Orleans and surrounding communities. Though the recipe will vary depending on how your mother cooked it, and where you live, traditionally this heavily seasoned dish contains rice, meats such as chicken, andouille sausage, and/or shrimp, as well as the quintessential holy trinity of cooking: onion, bell pepper, and celery.
Creole Jambalaya vs Cajun Jambalaya
The primary difference between Creole Jambalaya and Cajun Jambalaya is the addition of tomatoes. Creole food was typically associated with city living and used more ingredients that they had available and could afford. Cajun food is country food, which was often more simplistic. My Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya recipe is an authentic Creole Jambalaya crafted with my homemade creole seasoning.
Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya
Chicken and Sausage are two of the most popular meat additions to Jambalaya. Andouille is the best sausage for jambalaya, however, if you are averse to spicy food you can substitute smoked sausage instead. I also favor using chicken breast, and I chop it fairly small so it is the same size as the bites of sausage in the dish.
Shrimp is another popular Jambalaya addition. Though I don't call for it in my recipe, if you choose to include it, adding approximately 12 medium shrimp to this recipe would be about right.
How to Make Jambalaya
Jambalaya is a one-pot dish that is actually quite easy to make. For best flavor, it is recommended to brown your meat first. I like using a saute pan for this because the burnt on fond will dissolve into the jambalaya while it cooks, really deepening the flavor.
Once the meat is browned, it can be removed from the pan so the vegetables can saute, then everything is added back in with the rice, liquid, and seasonings and cooked on low until the rice is tender. Jambalaya hack: If you cook at too high of heat and the liquid cooks out before the rice is tender, add a few splashes of water and continue cooking.
If you really want to make easy Jambalaya you can use store bought creole or cajun seasoning rather than using the seasonings called for in my recipe. However, I humbly believe following my recipe is worth it.
Authentic Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya
Ingredients
Jambalaya
- 1 Chicken breast (chopped)
- 7 ounces Andouille sausage halved lengthwise and sliced
- 1 cup long grain White rice
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- ½ medium Onion (chopped)
- ⅓ Green pepper (chopped)
- 1 stalk Celery (chopped)
- 1 Jalapeno pepper (chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
- ½ cup diced tomatoes
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon vinegar based hot sauce (Crystal or Tabasco are good options)
- 16 oz Chicken stock
Creole Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
Instructions
- Mix together all ingredients for Creole seasoning and set aside.
- Combine chopped chicken with 1 tablespoon of creole seasoning in a small bowl.
- Add one tablespoon of oil to a skillet heated to medium-high and seer chicken and sausage until a brown crust forms. Remove from pan and set aside. (chicken can still be raw on inside)
- Add remaining tablespoon of oil and saute onion, bell pepper, jalapeno pepper, and celery over medium heat until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute longer, until fragrant.
- Rinse rice by under cold water to remove excess starch which will prevent rice from sticking and becoming mushy. Water should run clear.
- Add chicken broth and scrape any burnt on fond from the bottom of the pan, then tomatoes, bay leaves, Worcestershire and hot sauce. Stir in rice, chicken, and sausage and add remaining Creole seasoning.
- Bring rice to a boil and briefly stir to ensure rice is not sticking to bottom. Reduce heat to low and simmer until rice absorbs liquid and becomes tender, about 15-20 minutes. Keep lid on as much as possible and refrain from stirring. Stirring releases starches which will cause the rice to become mushy.
- When the liquid has been absorbed test rice for doneness by squeezing between your fingers, rice should be soft all of the way through.
Notes
Nutritional Information
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Bernie
Been trying to perfect my jambalaya for quite sometime. This recipe is what i've been looking for. I will make it next time with thigh meat which I prefer. Other than that it was spot on! Thanks!
chris efing
I made this exactly as the recipe called for. There is nothing this recipe needs except a fork. Best I ever had!
Mags
This is really good! I didn't add in the jalapeno or tomatoes as i didn't have them on hand and we still loved it. My kids thought it was too spicy but the rest of us scraped the pan clean!
Ben Myhre
This looks like a flavorful and tasty dish. I, also, like some Cajun and Creole food. A bit of zing makes things good!