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    Published: Feb 9, 2021 · Modified: Sep 25, 2021 by Pam

    Best Jambalaya Recipe Ever (Video)

    Thanks for sharing!

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    This is truly the best jambalaya recipe ever! It’s seasoned to perfection with ideal proportions of chicken, sausage and shrimp. The rice is just right – never overcooked or undercooked.

    bowl of best jambalaya recipe

    Is this a classic jambalaya recipe?

    Like so many much-loved recipes everyone has their own ideas about the right or wrong way to make Jambalaya. Additionally, there are as many opinions about what ingredients should be in a “classic” or “traditional” recipe.

    We like to think that they’re all right. Not just in the case of jambalaya, but with gumbo, with fried chicken, biscuits and brownies. We like to embrace the differences and the people who made them different.

    In the end we will leave the answer to that question up to you. One definition of the word classic is “remarkably and instructively typical”. I guess time will tell, but this jambalaya recipe seems to check that box nicely.

    large pot of jambalaya

    Is it Creole or Cajun?

    That’s an age old question, too. In general, Creole food is “citified” and is more common around New Orleans. It’s also heavier on the tomatoes. While we do have some tomatoes in our jambalaya, it’s brownish color would make it more Cajun, or “country-fied” (if that’s a word).

    One recipe that is traditionally considered to be Creole is Red Beans and Rice. It can be a vegetarian side or you can add andouille sausage and make it a meal!

    To confuse matters even more we use our beloved Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning, but we do tend to add it to so many of our recipes – whether they’re considered Creole or Cajun. Check below for a list.

    woman stirring jambalaya

    If you love learning about the various regions of the south and the recipes and ingredients they produce you need to check out Southern Food: Then & Now.

    Getting the rice cooked perfectly

    We’ve found this to be a problem over the years as have many jambalaya cooks. It can not be cooked enough by the time the liquid is absorbed. In that case, you’ll have a crunchy middle and nobody likes crunchy rice, right?

    Or, it gets mushy and overcooked. That’s not good either.

    After lots of frustrating attempts to get it just right we hit on the solution for this problem and that solution is converted rice. Some purists will argue that it’s not classic jambalaya if it’s made with converted rice, but we will argue right back.

    All of the requisite flavors are there and just sing out to be enjoyed. If mushy or crunchy rice would get in the way of the that enjoyment, then we believe it’s a problem to be dealt with. So we have dealt with that problem by bringing you the best jambalaya recipe ever!

    BE SURE TO WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW FOR A QUICK LOOK AT HOW THIS EASY JAMBALAYA COMES TOGETHER!

    bowl of jambalaya with beer & beads

    Don’t save this jambalaya recipe just for Mardis Gras

    Some people tend to save the recipes from this region and only make them during Carnival season or Mardis Gras.

    But, we enjoy them all year round and we would encourage you to do the same. We love our gumbo, jambalaya, Creole Cream Sauce, Cajun potatoes, hurricane cocktails and shrimp etouffee too much to only have them at certain times.

    If you want to get the great flavors of jambalaya without making a big pot, try this Jambalaya Dip. It gets rave reviews every time we make it.

    Best Jamblaya Recipe

    Pam
    This is truly the best jambalaya recipe ever! It's seasoned to perfection with ideal proportions of chicken, sausage and shrimp. The rice is just right – never overcooked or undercooked.
    5 from 17 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 35 mins
    Cook Time 45 mins
    Servings 6 people
    Calories 596 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
    • 4 boneless chicken thighs cubed
    • ¾ pound shrimp peeled and deveined
    • ½ pound smoked sausage cut into ¼ inch slices, (traditionally Andouille)
    • 1 bell pepper diced
    • 1 cup diced celery
    • 1 medium onion diced
    • 3 green onions chopped
    • 3 cloves garlic diced
    • 1 cup diced canned tomatoes
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper
    • 2 bay leaves
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning we prefer Tony Chachere's Original
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • cayenne pepper to taste, optional
    • 1½ cups converted rice
    • 2 cups chicken stock
    • 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley optional, for garnish

    Instructions
     

    • Heat oil in large dutch oven over medium heat.
    • Add chicken and sausage and cook, stirring, about 8-10 minutes or until chicken is done.
    • Add onions and continue cooking and stirring for about 8 minutes.
    • Add celery and cook, stirring another 2-3 minutes.
    • Add bell pepper and garlic and cook, stirring about 8 minutes.
    • Add rice, stock, tomatoes and all seasonings. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low, Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
    • Add shrimp and green onions and stir. Cover. If shrimp are medium size the heat can be turned off and allowed to sit for 5 minutes, covered. If shrimp are large, allow to cook, covered for 2-3 minutes and then turn heat off and allow to sit another 2-3 minutes.
    • Before serving remove bay leaves and garnish with parsley, if desired.

    Video

    Notes

    If you prefer Jambalaya that is not spicy use a smoked sausage that isn’t spicy (Andouille is spicy) and leave out the cayenne pepper. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 596kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 35gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 194mgSodium: 1025mgPotassium: 753mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1290IUVitamin C: 35mgCalcium: 102mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Categories: Cajun & Creole Tags: main dish

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Toni says

      February 09, 2021 at 12:48 pm

      5 stars
      Packed full of amazing flavors! This is such a filling meal!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        February 09, 2021 at 4:51 pm

        Thank you so much, Toni!

        Reply
    2. Natalie says

      February 09, 2021 at 1:04 pm

      5 stars
      I love jambalaya. It’s such an easy yet so delicious family dinner. I will give your recipe a try. Looks really good!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        February 09, 2021 at 4:52 pm

        Hope you enjoy Natalie!

        Reply
    3. Jacque H says

      February 09, 2021 at 1:05 pm

      5 stars
      This sounds perfect for this week! I can’t wait to make this and surprise my cajun loving family. Thank you for sharing this delicious jambalaya recipe.

      Reply
      • Pam says

        February 09, 2021 at 4:49 pm

        Yay! Our group loves Cajun too!

        Reply
    4. Angela says

      February 09, 2021 at 3:13 pm

      5 stars
      A great recipe that is full of flavor. Yum!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        February 09, 2021 at 4:49 pm

        Thank you, Angela!

        Reply
    5. Chichi says

      February 09, 2021 at 3:25 pm

      5 stars
      This is definitely a loaded rice dish. We love!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        February 09, 2021 at 4:49 pm

        Thanks so much!

        Reply
    6. sandra gibbons says

      February 13, 2021 at 6:56 pm

      5 stars
      I have always loved Jambalaya , this recipe is delightful!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        February 15, 2021 at 11:58 am

        Thanks so much, Sandra!

        Reply
    7. Laura Ludington says

      February 16, 2021 at 7:49 pm

      5 stars
      This is the first time I’ve ever made this. But due to our favorite Cajun restaurant closed for Fat Tuesday we decided to celebrate home. This was FABULOUS. Even my 86 year old mother loved it. Served it with cornbread and the clementine salad recipe. Thank you for a couple of very special celebratory recipes.

      Reply
      • Pam says

        February 17, 2021 at 11:19 am

        Oh wow Laura, thank you so much for letting us know!

        Reply
    8. Jeannette says

      July 02, 2021 at 7:59 pm

      5 stars
      I love the balance of the three different proteins. There are so many different flavours going on that it’s a fantastic stand alone dinner!

      Reply
    9. Beth says

      July 02, 2021 at 8:38 pm

      5 stars
      What a yummy and delicious recipe! We’ve made this a couple times now and we absolutely love this! I will definitely be making this again very soon!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        July 03, 2021 at 9:56 am

        Thanks so much for letting us know!

        Reply
    10. Julie says

      July 02, 2021 at 9:28 pm

      5 stars
      This jambalaya looks so comforting and hearty. The flavors sound marvelous and I can’t wait to try this out.

      Reply
      • Pam says

        July 03, 2021 at 9:56 am

        Hope you love it like we do, Julie!

        Reply
    11. Adrianne says

      July 03, 2021 at 1:52 am

      5 stars
      This looks seriously amazing all those spices in the ingredients sound heavenly!! I love a great dinner like this and can’t wait to give the recipe a go, thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        July 03, 2021 at 9:57 am

        Hope you enjoy. Thanks, Adrianne!

        Reply
    12. Anaiah says

      July 03, 2021 at 2:56 am

      5 stars
      I cannot get enough of this jambalaya! My whole family enjoyed it for dinner and we all agree, it’s the best jambalaya recipe we’ve tried!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        July 03, 2021 at 9:57 am

        Yay! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment and for rating our recipe.

        Reply
    13. Emily Flint says

      September 10, 2021 at 10:15 am

      5 stars
      I’m always looking for a recipe where I can use shrimp. I love that I could make this in my dutch oven and it was all from scratch. I will definitely be making this again!

      Reply
    14. Toni says

      September 10, 2021 at 10:18 am

      5 stars
      This has always been a favorite at my house! Really good!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        September 10, 2021 at 3:39 pm

        Thank you, Toni!

        Reply
    15. Marlynn says

      September 10, 2021 at 11:11 am

      5 stars
      This turned out so flavorful and it was a hit with the whole family! Making it again for friends coming over soon and I know they’ll all love it too.

      Reply
      • Pam says

        September 10, 2021 at 3:39 pm

        Thank you for taking the time to comment and leave a star rating, Marlynn!

        Reply
    16. Jessica Stroup says

      September 10, 2021 at 3:06 pm

      5 stars
      Exactly what I was looking for! We had jambalaya for the football games last weekend and this recipe was so easy and a BIG hit!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        September 10, 2021 at 3:38 pm

        Yay! Thanks for letting us know.

        Reply

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