This zesty Jambalaya never fails to impress! It’s incredibly easy to prepare and perfect for summer entertaining!
Today, I’m sharing my go-to meal when I’ve got a crowd coming for dinner at the beach. I’ve made this Jambalaya countless times and it’s always, and I mean always, a big crowd pleaser!
I don’t know about you guys, but summer in my kitchen is quite a busy place. If you’re a regular follower of the blog, then you know that’s exactly the way I like it. There’s lots of experimentation with new recipes going on, but there’s also lots of tried and true recipes like this amazing Jambalaya.
There are so many reasons why Jambalaya is one of my favorite meals. #1 it’s packed with spicy flavor and absolutely delicious, #2 it’s a one-pot dish, and #3 there’s no need for any sides. This dish covers three of the main food groups and it’s all in one big pan. No huge mess in the kitchen when company’s coming! Woohoo! That’s the kind of meal that’s a total winner for me. All you’ll need is some good wine and great friends with big appetites!
- 4 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken thighs, cubed
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups yellow onion chopped
- 1 cup celery chopped (2-3 ribs)
- 1 1/4 cups red bell pepper chopped
- 1 1/4 cups green pepper chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 28 oz. can diced tomatoes
- 8 oz. can tomato sauce
- 2 cups long grain rice uncooked
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. Creole seasoning I use Tony Chachere's
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp. dried thyme leaves
- 1 lb. smoked sausage cut into 1/2 inch slices
- 1 1/2 lb. shrimp cleaned and deveined
- chopped fresh parsley and hot sauce for garnish if desired
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Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in an extra large saute pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Add chicken to pan and cook, stirring often, for 8-10 minutes until nicely browned and mostly cooked through. Remove chicken with a slotted spoon to a plate.
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Add remaining 2 Tbsp. oil to the pan along with onions, celery, and peppers and cook for 5-6 minutes, until softened, stirring to loosen brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Add garlic and continue to cook for 1 minute.
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Add chicken broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, rice, seasonings, sausage and cooked chicken and stir to combine. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once mixture starts to boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer, stirring often for 25-30 minutes or until rice is cooked.
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Stir in shrimp and continue to cook, stirring often until shrimp are pink and cooked through.
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Remove bay leaf and season with salt and pepper to taste.
I love all the reasons why this dish is a winner, especially the one pot part….then again, I do love spice too :) I’ve never made jambalaya before, but pinning this one and trying soon! So many delicious flavours going on and absolutely perfect for a crowd! Happy Monday, my friend! xo
Me too Dawn! This dish is always perfect for company! I feel like I can pay attention to all my guests instead of clearing tons of dishes and pots and pans! It’s so incredibly flavorful too. My husband Tom loves it! Have a great week!
Tried it out today, it came out delicious! I did the rice separately so that I could use fresh rice when we eat the leftovers. It was a hit with the family.
I’m so happy you and the family enjoyed it Charles! Thanks so much for following the BHK and trying the recipe!
How I wish I could be enjoying a bowl-full of this fantastic Jambalaya right now Mary Ann. I am DEFINITELY trying this soon!!
You’ll love it Alida! It’s so packed with flavor!
This is seriously amazing. I’ve never tried making homemade jambalaya!!!
Definitely try it Jennifer! My husband Tom LOVES it!
Oh yes! I was just thinking I’m overdue for a feed of jambalaya :) Hard to beat all those great flavours in one pan!
It really is hard to beat Jennifer!
Can’t beat a one-pot dinner and this is perfect for summer when you don’t want to bother with all the kitchen mess!
Totally agree Gina!
Love a good summer comfort recipe like this!
Me too Matt!
Aren’t tried and true recipes the best, Mary Ann! Specially ones like this that wow your guests. Hope you’re have a great summer!
Every time I make this it always gets rave reviews! Hope your summer is going great too Geraldine!
One of my very favorite meals – yours looks amazingly delicious!! It really is a crowd pleaser! Will be making your recipe soon. xo
I’m so glad Tessa! My husband adores this dish. Happy Monday!
I am all about summer comfort food and this ticks all the boxes! Spicy and one-pot lead the way!! Pinned!!
The one-pot factor is HUGE for me Annie! Then I get to enjoy more time with my company!
I can supply the appetite! This looks wonderful. I love making gumbo but have never done Jambalaya, thanks for the inspiration!
Woohoo! Knew I could count on you Chris! Anytime. Have a great week.
Absolutely love jambalaya, one of my favorite comfort meals – and so true, perfect to feed a big crowd! Can’t wait to make this one soon, have a great week!
Me too Michelle! My husband was the one who turned me onto it many years back. I’ve been making it when I have lots of company for years. Can’t beat the one pot meal!
Bookmarked! I love anything rice, especially when it looks like this.
Yes!! You’ll love this Naomi! Hope your week is off to a great start!
Another gorgeous summertime dish, Mary Ann! I’ll bring the good wine and the big appetites anytime! :-)
Thanks so much Michele! You definitely should give this one a go! It’s fabulous! Have a great week!
Ok Mary Ann , I am making your jambalaya. When I don’t know but eventually I will make it. What size of pan do you use? Pinned !
I guarantee you will love it Gerlinde! This makes quite a bit. I use my 6 quart saute pan with a lid. You could also use an extra large Dutch oven. Let me know how you like it!
Thanks, I have a 6 quart sauté pan with a lid.
Great!
I have never made a jambalaya, but I love to eat them. You make it look so easy. I think I should give this a go.
It’s so good and quite easy Cindy! Definitely worth a try!
oh my gawd, my fave!!! love!
I know, it’s my fave too Alice!
Incredible! This sounds so delicious!
So easy too Tieghan! Gotta love those one-pot meals!
There’s nothing better than a busy kitchen and cooking for friends and family. This jambalaya looks like a winner. Love that it’s a one pot dish! Happy Cooking! :)
I know, right?! I’m in my element when I’m cooking for friends and family Kathy! You’ve got to try this jambalaya. It’s perfect for a crowd!
Oh My Mary Ann!! I loooove jambalaya.. and it IS a crowd pleaser! When I lived in Corpus Texas, we had a friend from Louisiana who taught me how to make jambalaya – I’ve been making it ever since (now, vegetarian style). The flavors draw me in! What a delicious and fun recipe for sharing!
It is so fun Traci! It would be awesome vegetarian too I bet! The flavors are wonderful!!
This looks so good Mary Ann!!! I love your addition of chicken thighs too!! So yummy :-)
I always go for the chickwen thighs Lindsay! This is one tasty dish!
This dish looks amazing!
That’s Pamela! I hope you give it a go. It’s sooo good!
Jambalaya is so delicious but I’ve never made it at home – clearly that needs to change immediately! Your recipe looks incredible and perfect for summer entertaining!
I hope you do Laura! It’s such a great meal for a crowd.
Mary Ann I love jambalaya sooo much!! Your recipe and images totally live up to the image I have in mind of the perfect jambalaya. I cannot wait to try this!
Yay Katherine!! My job is done then. I hope you enjoy it!
This sounds amazing. My only question is, when exactly do you add the sausage in? It’s listed twice in the directions and I just want to make sure I don’t put it in too early or too late.
Planning on making this for my boyfriend on Thursday…can’t wait!
I’m sorry Danielle! You add the sausage in step #3 with the chicken. You guys are going to love it! It makes enough for a crowd. Always delicious for leftovers too!
What a great idea for a beach dinner for a crowd! Love it!
It really is Karen! It’s always a big hit! Hope your summer is going great!
One of my all time favorite southern recipes!
Mine too Marla!
I love it! Looks like a great idea for a dinner:)
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You need to give it a try Irina! I guarantee you’ll love it. Thanks so much for following and taking the time to leave a comment!
Jambalaya is my fav! you nailed it! Spicy one pot wonder! so perfect ANY time of year. Saving this! PLus i adore sausage! haha.
It’s so good Lindsay, isn’t it?! Perfect for company! Makes my entertaining life so much easier!
Jambalaya has been on my gotta make it Bucket List for SO long! Now I’ve got the perfect recipe – pinning to finally make this one! :)
Yay! Tell me how you like it!
What kind of smoked sausage? Is it precooked?
I used Hillshire Farms smoked sausage.
Is there a rice you can substitute for the long grain?
Long grain is the traditional rice for jambalaya, but you could also use brown rice if you prefer. Enjoy Guinevere! It’s one of our favorites!