Jambalaya, a hearty and flavorful one-pot meal, is a star of Southern cuisine, rooted in Louisiana’s rich culinary traditions. Known for its bold flavors and versatility, Jambalaya combines meat, seafood, rice, and an aromatic mix of spices to create a dish that is both comforting and exciting.
What is Jambalaya?
Jambalaya is a Creole and Cajun dish originating in Louisiana, often compared to Spanish paella or West African jollof rice. Its signature characteristic is the blending of smoky sausage, juicy shrimp, tender chicken, and vegetables with perfectly seasoned rice. There are two main types of Jambalaya:
Cajun Jambalaya (Brown Jambalaya): Omits tomatoes and relies on browning the meat for its deep flavor.
Creole Jambalaya (Red Jambalaya): Includes tomatoes, giving it a rich, reddish hue.
Gumbo VS Jambalaya
Jambalaya Recipe is very similar to other meat and rice dishes known in Louisiana cuisine. Gumbo uses similar sausages, seafood, vegetables, meats, and seasonings. However, gumbo includes okra and filé powder, which are not common in jambalaya Recipe. Gumbo is prepared separately from the rest of the dish and usually served over white rice, whereas in jambalaya Recipe, the rice is prepared with the other ingredients.
If you are trying this dish for the first time then I am sure you will fall in love with this jambalaya recipe, it’s a kind of wide range of goodness. The main taste and magic come to the dish when sausage, chicken, rice, shrimp, and peppers with cajun seasonings, all come together in a red sauce. This is such a lightened up and comforting dish that everyone will love.
What is Andouille and What Can be it’s Substitute?
If you don’t have access to Andouille – basically it is a spicy smoked Cajun sausage. You can substitute it with a kielbasa, Spanish chorizo or any Polish smoked sausage. Be very careful with your salt if you are using more Cajun seasoning. The quantity of salt you need will depend on the type of Cajun seasoning and quantity you use.
Difference between Jambalaya and Paella?
Paella means “pan” is a Spanish dish originating in the Valencia region of Spain. Basically, it is a rice dish with either seafood or meat or both. In Jambalaya recipe it is also a rice mixture with a meat liquid stock, fresh vegetables, and spices. The paella mixture includes stock, fresh vegetables, and spices typically saffron is the main spice ingredient in it.
Variations of Jambalaya
Jambalaya is highly adaptable, allowing you to get creative with ingredients based on your preferences or dietary needs:
- Vegetarian Jambalaya: Swap the meat and seafood for hearty vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, and okra. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Seafood-Only Jambalaya: Load up on shrimp, crab, and crawfish for a seafood extravaganza.
- Spicy Jambalaya: Amp up the heat with extra cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
- Low-Carb Jambalaya: Substitute the rice with cauliflower rice for a keto-friendly version.
How to Make Jambalaya Recipe?
- Firstly in a large dutch oven, start by sauteeing the bell peppers, onion, celery, and garlic.
- Cut your chicken breasts into cubes, season with oregano & paprika, and cook on a pot until browned.
- Add sliced andouille sausage followed by tomato paste, tomatoes and a teaspoon of cajun seasoning plus chicken stock and rice.
- Simmer for 20 minutes before stir in sausage and chicken and let cook for a few minutes, and then serve.
How to Serve Jambalaya
- Traditional Pairings: Serve Jambalaya with crusty French bread or cornbread for a satisfying meal.
- Side Dishes: Pair with a light salad, collard greens, or sautéed green beans to balance the meal.
- Toppings: Add a dash of hot sauce or a dollop of sour cream for extra flavor.
How to Store Jambalaya
- Refrigeration: Store leftover Jambalaya in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze in individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a splash of water or broth to prevent the rice from drying out.
Jambalaya Recipe
Jambalaya, a hearty and flavorful one-pot meal, is a star of Southern cuisine, rooted in Louisiana's rich culinary traditions. Known for its bold flavors and versatility, Jambalaya combines meat, seafood, rice, and an aromatic mix of spices to create a dish that is both comforting and exciting.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts , cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 Tablespoon oil (vegetable or canola oil)
- 1 pound andouille sausage, cut into ¼ inch thick slices
- 4 green onions , chopped
- 4 cloves garlic , finely minced
- 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1 yellow or white onion , chopped
- 3 ribs celery , chopped
- 1 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 1 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, add more for spice, if desired.
- 1 1/4 cup long-grain white rice
Instructions
- Sear the Meat: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown chicken pieces, then sausage slices. Set aside.
- Build the Base: Reduce heat to medium. Melt butter and stir in flour to deglaze the pan. Toss in onions, garlic, celery, and bell peppers, sautéing for a few minutes until softened.
- Spice it Up: Stir in Cajun seasoning, basil, salt, pepper, and diced tomatoes. Add chicken broth and rice, bringing it to a gentle boil.
- Simmer and Cook: Return chicken and sausage to the pan. Cover and cook for 20 minutes over low heat.
Fluff and Serve: Let the dish rest with the lid on for 10 minutes, fluff with a fork, and let rest another 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
Yield
12Serving Size
6Amount Per Serving Calories 289Total Fat 16gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 76mgSodium 675mgCarbohydrates 11gFiber 1gSugar 2gProtein 24g
dinnerbytes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although dinnerbytes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
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Glad you shared this recipe! It tasted so gooood!!! Thanks!