This Chicken Jambalaya recipe is Cajun comfort food that’s packed with flavor. The holy trinity of Cajun cooking – onion, celery, and bell peppers – is married up with chicken andouille sausage and seasoned with garlic, herbs and plenty of bold spices. It’s anything but bland!
What’s in Cajun Chicken Jambalaya
With ingredients like Cajun seasoning and garlic, you know that this easy chicken dinner is bound to make your mouth water!
- Chicken Breasts: Make sure to cut your chicken into bite size pieces, for even cooking and making things easier to bite!
- Cajun Seasoning: Any brand works, so just use your favorite.
- Olive Oil: Avocado oil also gets the job done if preferred.
- Andouille Sausage: You can substitute andouille sausage for another smoked sausage.
- Onion: I like to use white onions, but yellow onions will also do the trick.
- Celery: Always rinse your celery prior to chopping it to get rid of any dirt or residue.
- Bell Peppers: You’ll need a red and a green bell pepper.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic should be used here for the very best flavor – not pre-minced!
- Crushed Tomatoes: You can crush fresh tomatoes. However, I find it easiest to just pop open a can!
- Dried Oregano: This gives the best herbaceous note. A little goes a long way!
- Chicken Broth: Homemade chicken broth is my favorite to use!
- White Rice: You just can’t have jambalaya without it.
PRO TIP: Some dishes like soup, stew, and chili just get better with time. Jambalaya is not one of those things! Mainly because if you let it cook it for too long, you’ll cook all the moisture out of it. You want it nice and wet. So wait until the end of your cooking time to put the rice in so it doesn’t overcook.
Is chicken jambalaya spicy?
This is not a super hot dish. It’s got a nice heat but won’t burn off your buds! For a spicier jambalaya, you can add one or two jalapeños. You can always add cayenne at the end if you’d like.
Jambalaya is a popular Louisiana-origin dish of Spanish, French, and West African influence, consisting mainly of meat and vegetables mixed with rice. Traditionally, the meat always includes sausage of some sort, often a smoked meat such as andouille, along with pork or chicken and seafood, such as crawfish or shrimp.
Cajun seasoning is a bold blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne powder, salt, pepper, and dried herbs.
You have a few options! Mexican chorizo sausage (comes close to andouille in flavour, but not in texture) works well. You can also opt for kielbasa or any Polish smoked sausage if preferred.
How to Store and Reheat
Let the jambalaya fully cool to room temperature prior to storing it in an airtight container. In the fridge, it’ll stay fresh for about 3-4 days. Microwave your leftovers in 30 second intervals, stirring each time it stops, until warmed all the way through.
How to Freeze
Freeze chicken jambalaya in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Don’t forget to date and label!
Serving Suggestions
This chicken jambalaya is a great meal all by itself! You don’t really need to worry about a side dish here. If you do want to serve it more of a NOLA flair, consider shaking up a hurricane cocktail!
More One Pan Chicken Recipes We Love
- Pineapple Chicken
- Cajun Butter Chicken
- Cheesy Chicken and Rice
- Stuffed Buffalo Chicken
- Caramel Chicken
- Cajun Chicken
- See all of our One Pot Chicken Recipes!
Best Chicken Jambalaya Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning divided
- 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 pound Andouille sausage sliced into rounds
- 1/2 onion diced
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 green bell pepper
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 can 14.5 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cups white rice
Instructions
- Season the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once heated, add the chicken to the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned on all sides. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
- Heat another tablespoon of oil in the skillet. Add in the sausage, cooking until browned. Transfer the sausage to the plate with the chicken.
- Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in the skillet. Add in the onion, celery, and bell pepper. Season with salt and pepper, and sauté until softened. Add in the garlic and cook for another minute.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, oregano, chicken broth, and rice. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cover the pan and cook for 20-25 minutes or until the rice has cooked and the liquid has absorbed. Stir in the chicken and sausage and cook until everything is heated through.
- Give the jambalaya a good stir. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Krystal Brooks says
This was so good!!!
Becky Hardin says
Thanks for sharing!!
B Schmidt says
Great recipe! The whole family loved it!
Becky Hardin says
That’s awesome!
Laquysha Morris says
I Loved the recipe but I tweaked it to my liking I hate 9nions Yuck lol. But great recipe.
Becky Hardin says
Thanks for sharing!
Elisha Beliard says
Aw, this was a really nice post. Taking the time and actual effort to make a great article… but what can I say… I hesitate a lot and don’t manage to get anything done.
Jennifer H says
This is a great recipe. Easy! My husband tries jambalaya at all the area restaurants. Said this rivals, if not better, than those he’s tried. I only did 1 thing different. I used a can of fired roasted diced tomatoes rather than just a can of crushed.
Becky Hardin says
That’s wonderful to hear, Jennifer! Fire roasted sounds like a great addition!
Leona says
Followed the recipe! Turned out great! Everyone loved it!
Becky Hardin says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Leona!
Sharon Grant says
Just made this tonight! Wouldn’t change a thing! Excellent!
Becky Hardin says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Sharon!
Vince Manino says
Awesome tasting!!
Helen says
We thought this was really delicious and very spicy! I pretty much followed the recipe except I used a little less chicken and a little more broth, and it turned out perfectly. Definitely one I’ll be making again!
Becky Hardin says
I’m so happy to hear you loved it, Helen!