Best Jambalaya Recipe
This jambalaya recipe is a flavorful blend of spices, meats, and rice that is both satisfying and comforting. Perfect for any occasion, this one-pot dish combines Cajun seasoning with fresh vegetables and tender chicken and sausage. Read on to learn how to make this top-rated jambalaya thats a hit in many kitchens.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons peanut oil, divided
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 10 ounces andouille sausage, sliced into rounds
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (16 ounce) can crushed Italian tomatoes
- teaspoon red pepper flakes
- teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- teaspoon hot pepper sauce
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon file powder
- 1 cups uncooked white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to make your jambalaya:
- Cook the meats: Heat 1 tablespoon of peanut oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Season the sausage and chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning. Saut the sausage until browned, then remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Saut the chicken pieces until lightly browned on all sides. Remove the chicken with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Cook the vegetables: In the same pot, add the remaining tablespoon of peanut oil. Saut the diced onion, bell pepper, celery, and minced garlic until tender and fragrant. Stir in the crushed tomatoes and season with red pepper flakes, black pepper, salt, hot pepper sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and file powder.
- Combine meats and cook: Add the cooked sausage and chicken back into the pot. Stir to combine and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Add rice and broth: Stir in the rice and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Serve: Once the jambalaya is ready, serve hot and enjoy the savory and spicy flavors of this classic dish!
What to Serve With Jambalaya
While jambalaya is a hearty dish on its own, you can enhance the meal with these delicious sides:
- Grandmother's Buttermilk Cornbread
- Cajun Corn and Bacon Maque Choux
- Southern-Style Crowder Peas
How to Store Jambalaya
If you have leftovers, let the jambalaya cool completely before transferring it to an airtight . Store it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove, adding a bit of broth to keep it moist if necessary.
Can You Freeze Jambalaya?
Yes! You can freeze jambalaya for up to three months. To do so, ladle it into zip-top freezer bags in serving-size portions. Wrap each bag in foil and freeze flat for easy storage and future enjoyment.
Nutrition Facts
Each serving of jambalaya contains:
- Calories: 465
- Total Fat: 20g (25% of daily value)
- Saturated Fat: 6g (29% of daily value)
- Cholesterol: 73mg (24% of daily value)
- Sodium: 1633mg (71% of daily value)
- Total Carbohydrate: 42g (15% of daily value)
- Dietary Fiber: 3g (11% of daily value)
- Total Sugars: 2g
- Protein: 28g (56% of daily value)
- Vitamin C: 20mg (23% of daily value)
- Calcium: 67mg (5% of daily value)
- Iron: 4mg (22% of daily value)
- Potassium: 666mg (14% of daily value)

Comments
Patricia Torres
09/28/2025 04:38:38 AM
Outstanding!! I made some modifications by using olive oil, kielbasa, skipping the file powder, and incorporating shrimp in the last 7 minutes. To accommodate the shrimp, I increased the crushed tomatoes to a full 28 oz can. Additionally, I seasoned it with thyme and fresh basil. I cooked the rice separately, so I omitted the broth.
Deborah Phillips
09/25/2025 12:40:17 PM
I followed the recipe almost exactly, just added extra spices and used a full 28oz can of crushed tomatoes to avoid waste. Following another reviewer's advice, I cooked it on very low heat (setting 1 on my GE gas range), covered, for 25 minutes without stirring. There was still some liquid left, so I cooked it for an additional 10 minutes, then stirred, and let it sit off the heat for 20 minutes... and the rice turned out perfectly!
Nancy Rodriguez
09/26/2025 07:19:08 PM
I thoroughly enjoyed this recipe! While not entirely authentic New Orleans style, it came pretty close and was much simpler to make than a traditional recipe. I skipped the chicken and opted for shrimp in the final 7 minutes of cooking. The dish turned out quite spicy, which I personally enjoyed, but it might be a bit too much for some. Pairing it with French bread really tied everything together. Overall, it was incredibly easy to prepare.
Justin Smith
09/27/2025 10:40:31 AM
Rewritten review: I absolutely love this recipe! My family isn't a fan of peppers and onions, so I tend to make this dish just for myself when they're away, and it lasts me a whole week! I like to add a red bell pepper for some extra color. Instead of mixing the rice into the jambalaya, I prefer to serve it on a bed of rice. To achieve this, I skip the chicken broth and opt for a 24 oz. can of crushed tomatoes along with an extra 12 oz. can of diced tomatoes with green chilis. Without the broth, the dish has a bit more heat, so if you're not a fan of spice, it's best to reduce the amount of seasoning. Overall, a fantastic recipe!
Linda Edwards
09/28/2025 04:37:48 PM
Fantastic recipe! I adore the flavor. I threw in some shrimp halfway through cooking the rice. This dish has become a new favorite of mine.
Kevin Sanchez
09/24/2025 07:02:50 PM
I have prepared this recipe numerous times and find it quite simple to make. Instead of using traditional Italian tomatoes, I opt for Muir Glen brand crushed fire-roasted tomatoes, which impart a unique and flavorful twist to the dish. Adding a pound of shrimp in the final 7 minutes of cooking, as suggested by another reviewer, enhances the overall experience. A memorable occasion was when I prepared a slightly modified version of this dish for Hurricane Katrina refugees at my church in Austin, TX. Accompanied by fresh cornbread, my two sons and I cooked up a large batch to serve approximately 30 people. Despite my concerns about meeting their New Orleans culinary expectations, the pot returned empty, and the guests thoroughly enjoyed the meal.
Susan Anderson
09/25/2025 05:31:45 AM
Delicious! The Jambalaya turned out great. I made a couple of adjustments by using chicken thighs and adding a tablespoon of finely minced serrano pepper for an extra kick. I also opted for a no-salt Cajun seasoning. The only issue I encountered was that the rice started sticking to the bottom of the pan while simmering, so I suggest giving it a few stirs throughout the cooking process.
Sandra Smith
09/25/2025 07:38:11 AM
I absolutely adore jambalaya. I prepared it for my nephews and nieces as a special birthday dinner for my nephew. I plan on making this dish frequently throughout the winter.
Karen Gonzalez
09/28/2025 12:48:45 PM
The dish was absolutely delicious! I added some pre-cooked shrimp and turned off the burner. It truly was amazing!
Stephanie Baker
09/28/2025 08:28:11 AM
I have made this recipe multiple times. Occasionally, I like to toss in shrimp or crawfish. The result is fantastic! I always find that I never have enough for leftovers.
Thomas Moore
09/28/2025 08:37:11 AM
This Jambalaya is absolutely amazing! I followed the recipe exactly, with the only addition of a pound of shrimp at the end. I will definitely be making this again!