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This classic Louisiana Jambalaya is quick and easy to prep and is all made in one pot. Delicious, hearty and full of flavor, this gluten-free rice dish is perfect comfort food.

jambalaya served in a green bowl with sliced green onions

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What is your favorite comfort winter food? My favorite meals during the cold winter months are spicy, warm and hearty dishes. Stews, chilis, soups, jambalaya are among my go to meals during this time of the year. There is just something about them that feels homey, tasty, and is enough to feed an army.

Last week, we had a snow day and I thought it was the perfect time to make jambalaya. It’s a traditional Southern food from Louisiana that is full of flavor and will make you forget that it’s cold and snowy outside. I am so ready for this cold weather to go away though. It’s already March and I m hoping that it will start to warm up soon.

Be sure to check out my chili recipe and butternut squash stew for more comfort food!

Jambalaya Ingredients

  • Olive oil, salt and pepper
  • Chicken breasts, andouille sausage and shrimp
  • Onion and garlic
  • Celery stalks
  • Red and green bell peppers
  • Tomato
  • Tomato paste
  • Spices (garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, thyme, oregano, bay leaves)
  • Worcester and sriracha sauce
  • Chicken broth
  • Long grain brown rice
  • Green onions, parsley and lemon juice

How To Make Jambalaya

  • Chop the onions, peppers, tomato, and celery.
Chopped vegetables
  • Season the chicken with the spices and brown in hot oil in a dutch oven. Set to one side and brown the sausage in the same pot. Set to one side.
The browned chicken and sausage
  • In the same pot, sauté the veggies.
  • Add in the tomato paste and seasonings and mix well.
Sautรฉing vegetables in a pan
The vegetables mixed with the spices and tomato paste
  • Add the Worcester sauce, Sriracha sauce, chicken stock and bring to a boil. Add the uncooked rice, chicken, and sausage to the pot.
  • Return to a boil, and reduce the heat to low to simmer, covered, for about 30 minutes.
  • Add the green onions, parsley, lemon juice and shrimp and simmer, covered, for another 10-15 minutes.

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • You can use fresh or frozen shrimp in this recipe. If you use frozen, ensure that they are fully thawed before cooking them.
  • Make the jambalaya in a dutch oven or heavy bottomed pot. It will distribute heat more evenly and you won’t get hot spots which can burn the food.
  • I use long grained brown rice, but you can use white. It will require a shorter cooking time, so adjust as needed.
  • Let the dish cool to room temperature before storing if making ahead.
Fresh herbs on top of the jambalaya
The cooked jambalaya in a dutch oven

Can you make it ahead of time?

Jambalaya is great for meal prep and freezer meals, and this recipe easily makes enough for 10 – 12 servings. Let it cool to room temperature before transfering to an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days and in the freezer for 3 months.

Thaw frozen jambalaya in the fridge overnight and it can be reheated on the stovetop.

That’s what I love about large one pot meals like this one is that you cook once, and you have food for several days. Win, win!

Is it spicy?

This Jambalaya has a nice spicy flavor, but not too much that you can’t eat it. My husband loves spicy food and he even adds a dash of Sriracha to his bowl. It is so filling and full of flavor, I can probably eat it every week.

If you are sensitive to heat, you can reduce or omit the cayenne pepper.

A High Protein Recipe

This jambalaya is packed with chicken, sausage, and shrimp, making it a hearty and satisfying meal. Plus, it’s naturally gluten- and dairy-free! Perfect for a cosy night in!

jambalaya served in a bow with fresh herbs
A bowl of jambalaya next to a dutch oven

Hope you give this colorful Jambalaya recipe a try. I would love to hear from you how you like it!

More Easy One Pot Meals

If you enjoyed this Jambalaya recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

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Jambalaya
5 from 5 votes

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Jambalaya

This jambalaya recipe is so flavorful and delicious. Classic Louisiana meal – hearty and filling. Recipe and step by step photos included.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 10 servings

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Ingredients 
 

Instructions 

  • Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven or large pot. Brush chicken with olive oil, season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and a dash of cayenne pepper. Place chicken in the pot and brown chicken on all sides, working in batches, you don’t want to overcrowd the pot. You don’t have to cook it all the way through as it will be cooked later on. Transfer chicken to a plate. Add the sausage to the same pot and saute for about 6 minutes until browned. Transfer to the plate along with the chicken.
  • Add another 1 Tbsp olive oil to the pot. Add the onion and garlic and saute for about 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent. Add celery, green & red peppers to the same pot and saute for 5-7 minutes longer. Add the tomato, tomato paste, and the herbs (1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp thyme, 1 tsp oregano, 3 bay leaves, and about 2 tsp salt & 1 tsp black pepper). Mix well and cook until all the vegetables and herbs are incorporated.
  • Add the Worchester sauce, Sriracha sauce, chicken stock and bring to a boil. Add the uncooked rice, chicken, and sausage to the pot. Return to a boil, and reduce the heat to low to simmer, covered, for about 30 minutes.
  • Add the green onions, parsley, lemon juice and shrimp and simmer, covered, for another 15 minutes.
  • Garnish with more parsley or green onions. Enjoy!

Notes

  • You can use fresh or frozen shrimp in this recipe. If you use frozen, ensure that they are fully thawed before cooking them.
  • Make the jambalaya in a dutch oven or heavy bottomed pot. It will distribute heat more evenly and you won’t get hot spots which can burn the food.
  • I use long grained brown rice, but you can use white. It will require a shorter cooking time, so adjust as needed.
  • Let the dish cool to room temperature before storing if making ahead.

Nutrition

Serving: 401g | Calories: 544kcal | Carbohydrates: 51.6g | Protein: 37.8g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 6.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13.9g | Cholesterol: 162mg | Sodium: 1635mg | Fiber: 3.4g | Sugar: 3.4g

Nutrition Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary with ingredients, brands, and portion sizes. For accuracy, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

Disclaimer: The information provided in this recipe is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or nutritional advice. I am not a doctor or a dietitian. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance regarding your diet or health. For more details, please read my full disclosure page.

About Neli Howard

Meet Neli Howard, the food blogger and recipe developer behind Delicious Meets Healthy. With over 12 years of cooking experience, Neli shares easy, wholesome recipes made with real ingredients to help you cook stress-free, flavorful meals the whole family will love. Her work has been featured in Healthline, Forbes, CNN, and more.

5 from 5 votes

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18 Comments

  1. Joanie @ Zagleft says:

    I grew up in New Orleans and jambalaya is one of my favorite foods from back home. For some reason, I haven’t made it in years. You’ve inspired me, now I can’t wait to try your recipe. Thank you!