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Pot full of homemade jambalaya, made with chicken, shrimp and sausage

Simple Cajun Jambalaya: Chicken, Shrimp, and Sausage

Kathy Moulding
Simple Cajun Jambalaya is a hearty one-pot meal made with chicken, shrimp, and sausage simmered with rice, vegetables, and Cajun seasoning. This easy, flavorful recipe uses basic ingredients and delivers classic Louisiana comfort food right from your home kitchen.
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Equipment

  • Large Dutch oven or oven-safe pot (with a tight fitting lid)
  • cutting board
  • sharp knife
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Wooden spoon

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or skinless chicken thighs, cubed
  • 1 pound smoked sausage sliced (andouille sausage)
  • 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion diced
  • 1 red or green bell pepper diced
  • 2 celery stalks diced
  • 3 cloves fresh garlic minced
  • 1½ cups long-grain white uncooked rice
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes (with juice)
  • 1½-2 tsp Homemade Cajun Seasoning - recipe link below adjust to taste
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Stovetop Instructions

    1. Brown the Meats

    Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned. Remove and set aside.Add chicken to the same pot and cook until lightly browned. Remove and set aside with the sausage.

    2. Cook the Vegetables

    Add onion, bell pepper, and celery to the pot. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

    3. Add Rice and Seasoning

    Stir in white rice, Cajun seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper if you want more heat and spice. Toast rice for 1–2 minutes.

    4. Simmer

    Pour in chicken broth and diced tomatoes. Add chicken and sausage back to the pot. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat, cover (with a tight-fitting lid), and simmer for 20–25 minutes until rice is tender.

    5. Add Shrimp

    Stir in shrimp, cover, and cook for 5–7 minutes until shrimp are just cooked through.

    6. Rest

    Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

    Oven Instructions

    1. Preheat Oven

    Preheat oven to 350°F.

    2. Brown Meats on Stovetop

    In a Dutch oven, brown sausage and chicken as described above. Remove and set aside.

    3. Build the Base

    Cook onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic in the same pot until softened.

    4. Add Remaining Ingredients

    Stir in rice, seasoning, paprika, broth, tomatoes, chicken, and sausage.

    5. Bake

    Cover tightly and bake for 35–40 minutes, until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Keep the lid tight while baking so the rice cooks evenly.

    6. Add Shrimp

    Stir in shrimp, cover, and return to oven for 10 minutes until shrimp are cooked.

    7. Rest and Serve

    Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Homemade Cajun Seasoning Blend Recipe
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