Jambalaya

Classic Jambalaya Recipe: A Flavor-Packed Creole Favorite from Louisiana 🇺🇸🌶️🍤

Few dishes capture the heart and soul of Louisiana quite like Jambalaya. This bold, one-pot wonder is a savory celebration of Creole and Cajun flavors, blending rice with an irresistible mix of spices, vegetables, sausage, chicken, and seafood. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just craving comfort food with serious depth, jambalaya delivers big flavor with minimal fuss.

🥘 What Is Jambalaya?

Jambalaya is a traditional Louisiana dish with French, Spanish, and African influences. It’s similar to paella but packs a distinctly Southern punch. The base typically includes the “holy trinity” of Cajun cooking—onion, celery, and bell pepper—plus rice, seasonings, and protein.

There are two main styles:

• Creole (red jambalaya): Includes tomatoes.
• Cajun (brown jambalaya): Skips the tomatoes for a more earthy, smoky flavor.

This recipe leans toward Creole jambalaya, but you can easily adapt it to your preference!

📝 Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need for a hearty pot of jambalaya:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound smoked sausage (like andouille), sliced
• 1 pound boneless chicken thighs or breasts, cubed
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup long grain rice, uncooked
• 2½ cups chicken broth
• 2 teaspoons Creole or Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Optional garnish: green onions, hot sauce, fresh parsley

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Sear the Meat

Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sausage and brown until lightly crisped. Remove and set aside. Add chicken to the pot, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned. Set aside with the sausage.

2. Sauté the Veggies

In the same pot, add onion, bell pepper, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

3. Build the Base

Add the diced tomatoes (with juice), rice, chicken broth, Creole seasoning, smoked paprika, and thyme. Stir everything together and bring to a gentle boil.