Jeff's Jambalaya

Bold flavors and vibrant Cajun spices come together in Jeff’s Jambalaya, a hearty one-pot meal brimming with juicy chicken thighs, smoky sausage, and tender shrimp. This classic Southern dish is layered with aromatic ingredients like onion, celery, and bell pepper, simmered alongside perfectly spiced long-grain rice in a rich tomato and chicken broth. With a kick of cayenne, fragrant thyme, and a sprinkle of oregano, this recipe delivers a satisfying blend of heat and savory depth. Ready in just over an hour, it’s perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week. Garnish with fresh parsley and green onions for a pop of color, and serve it hot for a true taste of Louisiana comfort food. Keywords: jambalaya recipe, Cajun jambalaya, one-pot meals, easy jambalaya, Southern comfort food, shrimp jambalaya.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 12 ounces smoked sausage (sliced)
• 1 pound medium shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 1 large yellow onion (chopped)
• 2 stalks celery (chopped)
• 1 medium green bell pepper (diced)
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes (with juice)
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups long-grain white rice (uncooked)
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 0.5 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 units bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 tablespoons parsley (chopped, optional for garnish)
• 2 units green onions (sliced, optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 2

Season the chicken thighs with salt and black pepper. Add them to the pot and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove from the pot and set aside.

Step 3

Add the sliced sausage to the pot and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside with the chicken.

Step 4

Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the pot. Stir in the onion, celery, and green bell pepper. Cook for 5 minutes or until softened.

Step 5

Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.

Step 6

Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juice, chicken broth, uncooked rice, paprika, thyme, cayenne pepper, oregano, and bay leaves. Mix well to combine.

Step 7

Return the chicken thighs and sausage to the pot. Cover and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Cook for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 8

Add the shrimp to the pot in the last 5-7 minutes of cooking. Stir gently to cook through until the shrimp turn pink and opaque.

Step 9

Remove the pot from the heat. Discard the bay leaves. Taste and adjust salt and spice levels as needed.

Step 10

Let the jambalaya rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley and sliced green onions, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3434.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4353.7

Total Fat 170.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 50.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 1656.9mg	0%
Sodium 9229.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 381.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.4g	0%
Total Sugars 31.3g
Protein 311.1g	0%

Vitamin D 31.8IU	0%
Calcium 630.8mg	0%
Iron 21.3mg	0%
Potassium 5736.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 35.6%

Protein: 28.9%

Carbs: 35.5%