Save A vibrant and hearty one-bowl dish featuring bold Cajun spices, succulent chicken, smoky sausage, and tender shrimp, all simmered with vegetables and rice for an authentic Southern comfort meal.
I first tried making Cajun jambalaya rice bowls after a trip to New Orleans, and it quickly became a favorite at our family gatherings. The combination of chicken, sausage, and shrimp simmered together with vegetables and rice truly brings a taste of the South right into your kitchen.
Ingredients
- Chicken thighs: 200 g (7 oz) boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Andouille sausage or smoked sausage: 150 g (5 oz), sliced
- Large shrimp: 150 g (5 oz), peeled and deveined
- Onion: 1 medium, diced
- Red bell pepper: 1, diced
- Green bell pepper: 1, diced
- Celery: 2 stalks, diced
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
- Long-grain white rice: 200 g (1 cup), rinsed
- Chicken broth: 400 ml (1 2/3 cups)
- Diced tomatoes: 1 can (400 g / 14 oz), with juices
- Cajun seasoning: 2 tbsp, store-bought or homemade
- Smoked paprika: 1/2 tsp
- Cayenne pepper: 1/4 tsp, adjust to taste
- Dried thyme: 1 tsp
- Bay leaf: 1
- Salt and black pepper: to taste
- Vegetable oil: 2 tbsp
- Chopped fresh parsley: 2 tbsp
- Sliced green onions: for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the chicken:
- In a large heavy-bottomed pot, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season lightly with salt and pepper, and sauté until browned but not fully cooked, about 3 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Brown the sausage:
- Add sausage to the pot, cook until browned, about 2 minutes. Remove and set aside with chicken.
- Sauté the vegetables:
- Add remaining oil, then sauté onion, bell peppers, and celery until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Add rice and spices:
- Stir in rice, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne, and thyme. Coat rice and vegetables with spices.
- Add liquids and simmer:
- Pour in diced tomatoes and chicken broth. Add bay leaf. Bring to a simmer.
- Return meats and cook rice:
- Return chicken and sausage to the pot. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes, until rice is tender and liquid absorbed.
- Cook the shrimp:
- Nestle shrimp on top of the rice. Cover and cook for 5 more minutes, until shrimp is pink and cooked through.
- Finish and garnish:
- Remove from heat, discard bay leaf. Fluff with fork, then garnish with parsley and green onions before serving.
Save Sharing jambalaya bowls with my family always sparks memories of lively Southern gatherings – there's something special about passing around spicy comfort food that warms the soul and brings everyone together.
Required Tools
Large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, chefs knife, cutting board, measuring cups, measuring spoons, wooden spoon
Allergen Information
Contains shellfish (shrimp) and may contain gluten (sausage). Always check labels for allergens, especially with store-bought Cajun seasoning.
Nutritional Information
Each serving: calories ~480, total fat 16 g, carbohydrates 51 g, protein 30 g.
Save This Cajun jambalaya rice bowl is sure to become a regular in your meal rotation. Pair it with a cold lager or crisp Sauvignon Blanc to complete the experience.
Recipe FAQ
- → What proteins are included in this dish?
Chicken thighs, Andouille or smoked sausage, and large shrimp combine to create robust flavors and varied textures.
- → How is the heat level controlled?
Cayenne pepper adds spice, adjustable to taste, with smoked paprika and Cajun seasoning contributing smoky warmth.
- → Can I use a different type of rice?
Yes, substituting brown rice requires increasing liquid and cooking time for proper tenderness.
- → What cooking method is used for best flavor?
Sautéing proteins and vegetables first, then simmering all ingredients with broth and tomatoes infuses the dish deeply.
- → Are there suggested garnishes?
Chopped fresh parsley and sliced green onions add freshness and color to the finished bowl.
- → Is this dish suitable for gluten-free diets?
Using gluten-free sausage ensures the dish remains gluten-free; otherwise, verify sausage ingredients carefully.