This zesty Jambalaya never fails to impress! It’s loaded with shrimp, chicken and sausage and is made in one large pot or deep skillet. Perfect for entertaining a crowd!
Updated: This post was first published here in July 2017. I decided it was worthy of a re-share because it is a super popular recipe here at the BHK AND it’s one of my all-time favorites. I’ve added new content, photos and notes to the post below.
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!
Delicious Spicy Jambalaya
I don’t know about you guys, but there’s nothing better than a one-pot meal. I’ll be sharing lots of one-pot meals this year here on the blog because I know you guys love ’em as much as I do. And today’s recipe for Jambalaya is a one-pot tried and true recipe here at the BHK.
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! Woohoo! That’s the kind of meal that’s a total winner for me. All you’ll need is some good wine and family and friends with big appetites!
You can use a Dutch oven for this recipe or a very large, deep skillet. First, you’ll cook your chicken until it’s browned and almost cooked through. You’ll remove it from the skillet and next up will be your onions, celery and peppers followed by some garlic.
Jambalaya Ingredients
- olive oil
- chicken
- salt and pepper
- yellow onion
- celery
- red and green peppers
- garlic
- low-sodium chicken broth
- diced tomatoes
- tomato sauce
- long grain rice
- Creole seasoning
- bay leaf
- thyme leaves
- smoked or andouille sausage
- shrimp
- fresh parsley
Once the veggies are softened a bit, you’ll add your chicken broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, rice, seasonings, sausage and your cooked chicken. You’ll bring it to a boil and then lower the heat to a simmer and cook until the rice is cooked.
The last ingredient you’ll add is your shrimp. You’ll stir them in and cook them until they’re pink and cooked though.
As I mentioned above, no need for any sides. You’ve got everything in one pot. Maybe just a cold beer or glass of wine and you’re set. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try. And if you have any questions about the recipe, just drop a comment below. Enjoy!
A Few Cook’s Notes for Jambalaya
You can use either a Dutch oven for this recipe or a very deep, large skillet if you have one. I actually recommend the Dutch oven so you don’t need to worry about the skillet overflowing on your stove.
You can also half this recipe for a smaller crowd.
You can use smoked sausage for this recipe or andouille sausage. I use either Johnsonville or Aidells.
More Delicious Cajun Recipes to Enjoy
Jambalaya
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Stir in shrimp and continue to cook, stirring often until shrimp are pink and cooked through.
- 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!
I am making for a very large crowd. Will the rice cook correctly/evenly if I make it in a taller stew pot??
Hi Nicole. That should be fine. Just don’t over stir or your rice will become mushy. You want the liquid to be mostly absorbed, then remove it from the heat. This one’s a winner!
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!
First time making jambalaya. We are having it for dinner tonight. It tastes great. Will definitely make again!
Hi Lynne. So happy you gave the recipe a try! This is one of my go-to’s when I’ve got a crowd at the beach!