Zesty Cajun Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya
This Zesty Cajun Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya is a vibrant and hearty dish that brings the soulful flavors of Louisiana right to your kitchen. Packed with succulent shrimp, tender chicken, and smoky andouille sausage, this dish is sure to heat up your dinner table! The combination of spices, fresh vegetables, and the rich, savory broth meld beautifully together, creating a dish that is both comforting and exciting. Perfect for family gatherings or a cozy night in, this jambalaya delivers bold flavors in every bite and embodies the spirit of Cajun cooking.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
butter
1/4 cup (melted)
onion
1 (coarsely chopped)
green bell pepper
1 (seeded and coarsely chopped)
celery ribs
3 (coarsely chopped)
garlic cloves
5 (minced)
shrimp
1 1/2 lbs (peeled and deveined)
boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 1/2 lbs (cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes)
bay leaves
3 (whole)
dried thyme
1 teaspoon (dried)
paprika
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
stewed tomatoes
2 (28 ounce) cans (whole)
chicken broth
1 cup (liquid)
Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup (liquid)
hot pepper sauce
1-3 teaspoons (to taste)
precooked spicy andouille sausage
1/2 lb (cut into 1/2-inch cubes)
smoked ham
1/2 lb (cut into 1/2-inch cubes)
crawfish
1/2 lb (peeled (optional))
scallion
1 bunch (coarsely chopped)
salt
2 pinches (or to taste)
long-grain white rice
3 cups (uncooked)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat, allowing it to foam before adding the vegetables.
2
Add the coarsely chopped onion, green bell pepper, celery, and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
3
Introduce the shrimp and chicken to the pot, along with the bay leaves and dried thyme. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for approximately 10 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink in the center and the shrimp has turned opaque.
4
Sprinkle in the paprika, stirring well to ensure it's evenly distributed among the ingredients.
5
Incorporate the stewed tomatoes, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, and hot pepper sauce. Stir thoroughly until well combined.
6
Add the precooked spicy andouille sausage and diced smoked ham. If using, stir in the crawfish and bring the mixture back to a boil over medium-high heat.
7
Once boiling, toss in the scallions, salt, and uncooked long-grain white rice. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let it simmer for 30 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the flavorful broth.
8
Once done, remove the lid, fluff the jambalaya gently with a fork, and serve hot with crusty French bread for a complete meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Cajun Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya?
It is a vibrant and hearty Louisiana-style dish featuring shrimp, chicken, and smoky andouille sausage cooked with rice and spices.
What proteins are included in this jambalaya recipe?
The recipe includes shrimp, boneless skinless chicken breasts, spicy andouille sausage, smoked ham, and optional crawfish.
What are the aromatic vegetables used in this dish?
The dish uses onion, green bell pepper, celery (the 'holy trinity'), and minced garlic.
What type of rice is recommended?
The recipe specifies using 3 cups of uncooked long-grain white rice.
How long does the rice take to cook?
The rice should simmer for approximately 30 minutes until it is tender and has absorbed the broth.
How much butter is needed to start the recipe?
You will need 1/4 cup of melted butter.
How should the chicken be prepared?
The chicken breasts should be cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes.
What is the recommended preparation for the shrimp?
The 1 1/2 lbs of shrimp should be peeled and deveined.
Can I add crawfish to this recipe?
Yes, the recipe suggests adding 1/2 lb of peeled crawfish as an optional ingredient.
What spices are used for seasoning?
The seasoning includes bay leaves, dried thyme, paprika, salt, and hot pepper sauce.
How much chicken broth is required?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of liquid chicken broth.
What type of tomatoes are used in this jambalaya?
The recipe uses two 28-ounce cans of stewed tomatoes.
How do I adjust the spiciness of the dish?
You can adjust the heat by adding between 1 to 3 teaspoons of hot pepper sauce to taste.
What is the first step in the cooking process?
In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat until it foams before adding the vegetables.
How long should I sauté the vegetables?
Sauté the onion, green bell pepper, celery, and garlic for about 5 minutes until softened.
When do I add the chicken and shrimp?
Add them after the vegetables are softened, along with the bay leaves and dried thyme.
How do I know the chicken is properly cooked?
The chicken is done when it is no longer pink in the center, which takes about 10 minutes on medium heat.
What sauces are used for flavor depth?
The recipe uses Worcestershire sauce and hot pepper sauce.
When should the sausage and ham be added?
The precooked andouille sausage and diced smoked ham are incorporated after the tomatoes and broth.
How do I prepare the scallions?
Use one bunch of scallions and chop them coarsely before adding them with the rice.
Is the rice added cooked or uncooked?
The rice is added uncooked so it can absorb the flavors of the broth while simmering.
What should the heat be set to while the rice cooks?
The heat should be reduced to low and the pot should be covered with a lid.
How many bay leaves are used?
The recipe calls for 3 whole bay leaves.
What should I do once the rice is tender?
Remove the lid, fluff the jambalaya gently with a fork, and serve hot.
What side dish is recommended with this jambalaya?
It is traditionally served with crusty French bread.
How many celery ribs are required?
You will need 3 coarsely chopped celery ribs.
What kind of sausage is best for this recipe?
Precooked spicy andouille sausage is recommended for authentic Cajun flavor.
How much smoked ham is used?
The recipe requires 1/2 lb of smoked ham cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
Is this considered a one-pot meal?
Yes, it is designed to be cooked entirely in one large pot for easy cleanup.
What is the serving suggestion for this dish?
Serve it hot as a comforting family meal or for gatherings to showcase soul-filled Louisiana flavors.