Jambalaya is a classic Creole dish with a mix of meats, vegetables, and rice, seasoned with bold Cajun flavors.
Here’s a traditional Jambalaya recipe: Ingredients: 1 pound (450g) chicken thighs, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces 1/2 pound (225g) smoked sausage or andouille sausage, sliced 1 pound (450g) shrimp, peeled and deveined 1 large onion, diced 1 bell pepper, diced 3 celery stalks, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained 1 cup long-grain white rice 2 1/2 cups chicken broth 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste) 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to spice preference) Salt and black pepper to taste 3 tablespoons vegetable oil Green onions, chopped, for garnish
Instructions: Prepare the Ingredients: Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning. In a large bowl, season shrimp with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning. Sear the Chicken: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
Add the seasoned chicken pieces and brown them on all sides. Once browned, remove them from the pot and set aside. Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Sauté the onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic until softened. Add Sausage and Tomatoes: Add the sliced sausage to the pot and cook until it starts to brown. Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juice and tomato paste. Cook for 5 minutes. Season and Add Rice: Stir in the remaining Cajun seasoning, dried thyme, dried oregano, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Add the rice to the pot and stir until well combined.
Cook the Jambalaya: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and has absorbed the liquid. Add Chicken, Shrimp, and Garnish: Add the seared chicken back to the pot along with the seasoned shrimp.
Cover and cook for an additional 10 minutes, or until the shrimp are cooked through. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving. Serve: Spoon the jambalaya onto plates and serve hot. Enjoy this flavorful and hearty Jambalaya! Adjust the spice levels according to your preference, and feel free to add hot sauce for an extra kick.