Spicy Cajun Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya

Dive into a bowl of flavor-packed comfort with this Spicy Cajun Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya! This Louisiana-inspired classic features tender chicken thighs, smoky sausage, and a medley of vibrant veggies like bell peppers, celery, and onion, all simmered to perfection with Cajun spices and fluffy long-grain rice. A pantry-friendly mix of canned tomatoes, chicken broth, and fragrant herbs like thyme and bay leaves infuses every bite with rich, hearty flavors. Easy to prepare in a single pot, this jambalaya is a perfect weeknight dinner or crowd-pleasing dish. Garnished with fresh parsley and green onions, and finished with a splash of hot sauce for extra heat, it's a spicy, soul-warming meal that’s as satisfying as it is simple.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 12 ounces smoked sausage, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 medium bell peppers, diced (any color)
• 3 stalks celery stalks, diced
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1.5 cups long-grain white rice
• 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon paprika (optional for extra color)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 cup green onions, chopped (for garnish)
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• 0 to taste hot sauce (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and lightly season with a pinch of salt and black pepper.

Step 2

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook until browned on both sides, about 3-4 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Step 3

In the same pot, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the chicken pieces and sear until lightly browned on all sides, about 5-6 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside with the sausage.

Step 4

Reduce the heat to medium and add the diced onion, bell peppers, and celery to the pot. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 6

Add the rice to the pot and stir well to coat it in the vegetable mixture and oil. Let it toast for 1-2 minutes.

Step 7

Pour in the canned diced tomatoes (with their juices) and chicken broth. Stir in the Cajun seasoning, paprika, dried thyme, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper.

Step 8

Return the sausage and chicken to the pot, along with any juices that accumulated. Stir everything together.

Step 9

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot tightly and let the jambalaya simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 10

Remove the pot from the heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Discard the bay leaves.

Step 11

Fluff the jambalaya with a fork and garnish with chopped green onions and parsley.

Step 12

Serve hot with a drizzle of hot sauce if desired. Enjoy your spicy Cajun chicken and sausage jambalaya!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2863.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3126.1

Total Fat 189.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 57.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.2g
Cholesterol 815.3mg	0%
Sodium 11914.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 156.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.9g	0%
Total Sugars 35.8g
Protein 187.3g	0%

Vitamin D 31.8IU	0%
Calcium 661.6mg	0%
Iron 23.9mg	0%
Potassium 4930.9mg	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: 55.3%

Protein: 24.4%

Carbs: 20.3%