Easy Jambalaya made with Chicken, Shrimp and Andouille Sausage in under 45 minutes. Served over rice or rice cooked with the jambalaya for one pot meal.
A somewhat classic version but a great addition to the site since you all love the Cajun Jambalaya Pasta on here so much!
 Easy One Pot Cajun Jambalaya Recipe
YES I know, I know, it is traditionally made with the rice in the pot. But here’s the thing, This is a giant pot of food. And unless you are serving 8 people tonight for dinner, you’re going to have leftovers. And you know what that rice is going to do to that delicious jambalaya? Dry it out.
I’ve cooked jambalaya the traditional way and without rice in the pot and I can tell you that I love it this way significantly more. I make my rice buttery and slightly salted before pouring this over the rice and just give it a few minutes to marry the flavors together.
I’ve never had a single person who has actually eaten the recipe complain once they’ve tried it. And leftovers are a breeze because theres still liquid in the pot!
How to reheat Jambalaya:
- If cooked without rice, scoop some rice into your bowl.
- Ladle the jambalaya over the rice, removing the shrimp from the bowl and setting it aside.
- Cover with a wet paper towel and microwave until very hot (for us this is 3-4 minutes).
- Lift the paper towel, add the shrimp into the bowl and cover the paper towel back over it and let it sit for 3-4 minutes.
- The shrimp will be hot but not rubbery as it would be if you were to cook it a second time in the microwave.
What is the difference between a gumbo and jambalaya?
Gumbo is a traditional stew type dish made with a roux to thicken the sauce. Jambalaya is a traditional rice based recipe made with chicken, sausage and shrimp in one pot.
How do you make Cajun seasoning? (enough for this recipe)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoons dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoons dried thyme
- Mix all the ingredients together and store in a covered container for up to three months
What is in a jambalaya?
A good jambalaya contains chicken, sausage, and shrimp cooked with the trinity of New Orleans flavors, celery, onion and bell peppers. Thyme, oregano, cajun seasoning and tomatoes are added to flavor the dish along with rice with is traditionally cooked with the rest of the ingredients or alternately served along side it.
What to serve with Cajun Jambalaya?
Traditionally jambalaya is served with rice and a side of Southern Cornbread. Sometimes a Creamed Corn is served, but if serving with creamed corn I’d spice it up with some jalapeños.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 pound andouille sausage links sliced
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 red bell pepper finely chopped
- 2 stalks celery thinly sliced
- 2 chicken breasts skinless, boneless, cut into chunks
- 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 pound shrimp 13-15 count
Instructions
- Add canola oil to your dutch oven on medium high heat.
- Add the sausage to the pan and cook until crisp and browned.
- Remove the sausage and add in the onion, bell pepper and celery.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring every few minutes.
- Reduce the heat and add the chicken, tomatoes, broth, thyme, oregano, cajun seasoning and cayenne and cook, covered, for 15-20 minutes.
- Add the shrimp and sausage, stir and cook for 3-5 minutes, uncovered, before serving.
Nutrition
Jambalaya is a rice dish. I have made it with pork ribs and no tomatoes. It varies from town to town.More like paella. Chicken and sausage is popular. Gumbo is a soup. It is served over rice.A stew is called a stew in Cajun cooking,like shrimp stew.Its thick and served over rice.If you don’t cook the rice together with the ingredients you don’t have jambalaya you have a stew or if its soupy it might be more of a gumbo.No roux in jambalaya ,roux and little liquid in stew, roux and more liquid in gumbo.
This recipe is amazing. I left out the shrimp and froze the whole batch in individual vacuum sealed bags for a camping trip off-grid. Serving this over fresh rice will be so awesome as a quick meal. Thank you! No soggy jambalaya for us!
I loved this recipe. Not a fan of spicy food but this was really delicious and turned out great.
I live in Louisiana where jambalaya is taken Seriously. I took a chance and prepared this recipe at home and my family ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!!
If using beef sausage I would treat it the same as regular sausage, correct?
Do you drain the can of diced tomatoes?
No, I do not.
I made this exactly according to your recipe, and also made your cornbread. What an easy, delicious comfort meal! Many thanks for sharing. We all loved it!
This is amazing!!!!!
Is this very spicy? It looks really good but my son doesn’t like spicy food so I was wondering how much I need to adjust the seasonings.
I would say its medium spicy. You might have to test it out to get it to the heat level he would enjoy.
Looks great. Will be trying it soon.
This is not Jambalaya. Jambalaya is cooked with the rice and no roux should ever be in Jambalaya. Cajun Jambalaya does not have tomato’s. Creole Jambalaya does have tomatoes.
who cares?? It’s delicious
I agree with you Alexis, there’s always a least 1 HATER full of negativity.
Not a hater just correct cooking terms. You should say thanks.
This was my first time making Jambalaya and this recipe is absolutely delicious! Entire family devoured it. Will definitely be saving this one and checking out your other recipes! Thank you!
I’m glad you decided to give it a try, Jackie.
Is there a way to make it thicker?
You can add a roux at the end to thicken it if you’d like.
Is the chicken cooked before adding? Or is it cooking in the broth?
It’ll cook in the broth. Enjoy!
Pretty good. Prefer rice cooked in and surprised recipe did not call for any garlic. Tasty though!
Deeellliigghhhtffffulllll ? easy and tastes GREAT!!
Thanks for the 5 stars, Charisse. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
This is Excellent, I made it as it says to, except for the Sausage
I used Eckridge kilbosa
Easy to make and Good to eat
Will be making it again
Have a Blessed day
In step 5 are you adding raw chicken? I would think you should brown it first.
5. Reduce the heat and add the chicken, tomatoes, broth, thyme, oregano, cajun seasoning and cayenne and cook, covered, for 15-20 minutes
BTW i love the rice on this side for those who want a healthier option with less carbs, you can control your rice intake when its on the side. that was how i found your recipe. Can’t wait to make it tonight, just concerned about cooking the chicken first before adding it.
Cheers,
Kay
Pls adding chicken to the mix which onions celery and bell peppers cook down to water and your adding the tomatoes and chicken broth. So it is boiling for 20 mins. Cooked chicken anyone.
This was my first time making jambalaya and it was great! Just the right kick. I used canned fire roasted red tomatoes and Better than Bouillon Lobster Base. My husband and I are pescatarians so I used only shrimp. Absolutely delicious ??
Wonderful recipe! My dad loved it as well as the rest of the family! Just the right amount of spice!
Thanks for taking the time to come back and let me know how much everyone enjoyed it, Kelly.
I have made 1/2 this recipe twice. Very good and easy to make. Big hit with the family. First time, I used the diced tomatoes. Second time, I used crushed tomatoes because I had them on hand. Didn’t notice much difference but will use diced next time – less liquid. Both times, served over brown rice. Thanks.
Thanks for the 5 stars, Patrick. Nice to know this recipe is now a go-to one for you.
Absolutely delicious I make it every week. I used Oktoberfest sausages and put them on the bbq and I also put chicken breasts on the bbq. I cut them up and add them with the cooked shrimp after. It was amazing. I made lemon rice on the side too it has great flavour. Great recipe I love it??
Sounds amazing!
I have made this recipe 3 times now. The first time I fixed the rice on the side and the next 2 times I cooked it with the rice. I love it both ways. It has great flavor and just the right amount of spice.
Thanks for coming back to let me know, Mauna.
This dish was absolutely delicious! My family and I loved it! Easy and not so many ingredients! You can prep ahead so when you are ready to cook it’s quick! Thank you!!
You’re welcome, Kim.
This was fantastic! Served with a side of cajun seasoned catfish caught by my father in law! Next time gonna do some hush puppies!
Is there a cooking video?
I don’t have one yet for this recipe.
When would you start putting in the rice if you wanted to cook it with the Jambalaya?
If you’d like to make it including the rice, I would use 2 cups of rice and 3 cups of broth. Enjoy!
When would you add the rice?
I’d add it in step 5 but allow the mixture to come to a simmer first before allowing it to cook for 15-20 minutes. Make sure to stir every 5 minutes or so while it cooks so that the rice doesn’t burn. Enjoy!
I made the jambalaya for the first time it was amazing so delicious 5 stars
This was quite lovely. Me and hubby really enjoyed it. I didn’t have an onion (which is quite rare in my household) but did use scallions. Cut down a bit on cayenne so it wasn’t spicy but maybe cut back too much since there wasn’t much of a kick. Other than that, everything was the same. Look forward to make more in the future. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Easy recipe, added a little salt once I sat down to eat, and a little rice in the bowl.
Hey there Sabrina! I came across your delicious recipe and realized that someone on Instagram is using same pictures and claiming it as their own. Not sure if that bothers you, but just wanted you to know. You worked on this recipe and it’s only right you receive credit.
Oh no! Do you mind emailing me the information. Contact @ dinnerthendessert . com.
Thank you!
This was an easy and delicious recipe! Takes me back to Louisiana where I served in the military. I just added a squeeze of lemon to my shrimp and extra cayenne because I’m spicy like that. Thank you!
Can i use a regular pan if i don’t have a dutch oven?
Yes 🙂
This is a great recipe and easy to prepare. I followed the recipe and it was delicious! We served it with rice and had a slaw and sourdough bread for a fabulous meal! Thanks for sharing this keeper!
I really enjoyed this meal. I made a few substitutes, for instance, I used pasta instead of rice and I couldn’t add thyme however it still came out so good. I also add about a cup of parmesan because I wanted the juice to be thicker.
ME again. I ONLY used sausage by the way. It was all the meat i had on hand . It with the pasta was enough to fill me up.
So glad you were able to easily adapt it. Thanks for the 5 stars, Kishany.
Trying to watch my calorie intake but obviously I still want to eat this deliciousness! ? I noticed that the recipe says it is 8 servings but what would you say the serving size is?
About 1 cup. Enjoy!
I’ve made this twice, my family eats this before I can get a picture. It’s delicious.
Haha, that’s a good sign!