Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya

Flavor packed rice, chicken, sausage and vegetables comes together in one pot to make this incredible chicken and sausage jambalaya! This classic Cajun favorite is loved for a reason - because its so freakin' delicious!

If you've never had jambalaya before, this is the recipe for you. It's a classic Mardi Gras dish and is packed full of incredible Louisiana flavors.

With the richness, spice, and soulfulness, these Cajun dishes just make you feel GOOD! This jambalaya along with other Cajun favorites like instant pot red beans and rice and this easy Cajun rice are soulfully delicious.

We make this chicken jambalaya with tomatoes, so this could technically be considered the Creole version of jambalaya with the use of tomatoes. I just like the brightness they add.

What is jambalaya?

Jambalaya is a well known Creole/Cajun rice dish made with sausage, chicken and seafood, along with the holy trinity of bell peppers, celery and onions. It’s typically made in one pot (like this instant pot shrimp jambalaya) and is rich in Cajun flavor.

There are two types of jambalaya - Cajun and Creole. The main difference between the two is that the Creole version, which is common in New Orleans, contains diced tomatoes and can also sometimes be called red jambalaya.

Why this chicken and sausage jambalaya recipe works

• The andouille sausage adds a nice spicy, smoky flavor to the dish. This Cajun chicken dish packed full of Cajun/Creole flavors!
• It's super simple to make, and most ingredients can be found in your pantry. Plus it's basically a one pot meal (like this chicken etouffee) which makes cleanup a breeze.
• You can adjust the spice level in the dish pretty easily.
• It's great leftover!

Ingredients

The full list of ingredients and amounts to make jambalaya in one-pot can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Andouille sausage is a spicy smoked pork sausage made with lots of spices. It is commonly used in Cajun and Creole style cooking and has a ton of amazing flavor (it's the BEST sausage). You can substitute any smoked sausage if you can't find andouille.

Skinless chicken thighs work great here because they cook without getting dried out. You can use chicken breast instead, but your results won't be quite as moist and tender.

I use my own instant pot chicken bone broth and homemade Creole seasoning but you can use store bought chicken broth for convenience as well. I like the richness the homemade provides.

Step by step instructions to make chicken and sausage jambalaya

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or cast iron Dutch oven over medium heat and brown the chicken (about 2-3 minutes). Remove chicken and set aside.

2. Add the spicy sausage and brown on both sides (about 2-3 minutes). Remove and set aside.

3. Add the onions and green bell pepper and cook until softened, about 2 minutes.

4. Add the canned diced tomatoes, Cajun seasoning and thyme and stir to combine.

5. Add the chicken stock, uncooked long grain rice, chicken and sausage and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes.

6. Remove the lid and let simmer the last 5-10 minutes uncovered so any additional liquid can be absorbed. If it gets too dry, put the lid back on to finish the cooking.

Remove from heat, fluff with a fork and serve garnished with green onions.

Expert tips

1. If the white rice gets too dry while cooking for the last 5-10 minutes, just put the lid back on to let it finish cooking.
2. For more heat, add ¼ to ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper.
3. Make sure the rice is rinsed until the water runs clear to prevent the rice from getting sticky while cooking.
4. Prepare the vegetables and the meats before starting to cook to make it easier. You can even prepare it the day before for convenience!

Serving options

You can serve this Cajun chicken and sausage jambalaya on it's own as a main dish, or part of a whole meal!

• I love this served with instant pot cornbread or this air fryer garlic bread
• Get your veggies in with this instant pot steamed broccoli or this smothered okra
• Get your meal started with crawfish egg rolls or crispy air fryer okra
• If soup is your thing, this crawfish bisque is a great starter soup!

Frequently asked questions

More Cajun recipes

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