Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya

Making Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya is a delightful culinary journey into the heart of Cajun cuisine. This one-pot dish combines tender chicken, smoky sausage, and flavorful vegetables, all simmered with rice in a rich broth. Below is a comprehensive guide to creating this mouth-watering dish, complete with ingredients, cooking instructions, nutritional information, and helpful tips.

Ingredients

For the Jambalaya

• 3 tablespoons avocado oil (or vegetable oil)
• 12 oz. smoked beef sausage, sliced (andouille or any preferred smoked sausage)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped (green or red)
• 3 stalks celery, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 cups long-grain white rice (or converted brown rice)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 4 cups unsalted chicken stock
• 1 bunch green onions, sliced for garnish
• Salt and pepper to taste

Optional Garnishes

• Hot sauce for serving
• Chopped parsley or additional green onions

Cooking Instructions

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Prepare the Ingredients: Gather all your ingredients and chop the vegetables and chicken.
2. Cook the Sausage:
   • Heat a 5-quart Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the avocado oil.
   • Add the sliced sausage and cook for about 3–5 minutes until browned and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
3. Sauté the Vegetables:
   • In the same pot, add the onion, bell pepper, and celery (the “Cajun Holy Trinity”). Cook for about 5 minutes until tender.
   • Stir in the garlic, thyme, bay leaves, and half of the Cajun seasoning; cook for an additional 30 seconds.
4. Add Rice and Liquids:
   • Stir in the rice until well coated with the vegetable mixture.
   • Add tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, remaining Cajun seasoning, chicken thighs, browned sausage, and chicken stock. Bring to a boil.
5. Simmer:
   • Once boiling, cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 25–30 minutes until the rice is tender.
   • Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to ensure proper steam retention.
6. Finish:
   • After cooking, stir in half of the sliced green onions. If desired, add shrimp at this stage and cover for an additional 5 minutes.
   • Remove bay leaves before serving.
7. Serve: Garnish with remaining green onions and serve hot with hot sauce on the side.

Cooking Time

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
• Total Time: Approximately 45–50 minutes

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

This recipe serves approximately six people. Here’s a rough breakdown of calories per serving:

Helpful Tips

• For added depth of flavor, consider using bone-in chicken thighs.
• Adjust spice levels by increasing or decreasing Cajun seasoning or adding hot sauce.
• To make it healthier, substitute brown rice for white rice; just be aware that cooking times may vary.
• This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated; it often tastes even better the next day!

Conclusion

Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya is not just a meal; it’s an experience that brings warmth and comfort to any table. Perfect for family gatherings or casual dinners, this recipe is sure to impress.For more delicious recipes that will tantalize your taste buds, consider purchasing our eBook filled with mouth-watering dishes! Also, be sure to pre-order our upcoming cookbook “Deliciously Fit,” which focuses on weight loss and healthy meal options without sacrificing flavor. Happy cooking!