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Easy One Pan Jambalaya

Smoky, soul-warming comfort food with tender rice, juicy chicken, and savory sausage all cooked together in one pot for busy weeknights.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 425

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 ounces andouille sausage, sliced
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • cups long-grain white rice
  • cups chicken broth
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 green onions, chopped for garnish

Method
 

Cooking Instructions
  1. Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown on most sides. Remove chicken and set aside. Add sliced sausage to the same pan and brown for 3-4 minutes until slightly caramelized.
  2. Without cleaning the pan, add diced onion, bell pepper, and celery to the sausage fat. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften and the onion becomes translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the rice, coating each grain with the flavorful vegetable mixture. Add paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper, stirring constantly for about 2 minutes until the rice looks slightly toasted and the spices bloom.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and add drained diced tomatoes, bay leaves, and the browned chicken back to the pan. Season generously with salt and pepper. Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 18-20 minutes without lifting the lid.
  5. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Remove bay leaves, fluff gently with a fork, and garnish with fresh green onions before serving.

Notes

Don't rinse rice before cooking as starch helps create jambalaya's signature texture. Avoid lifting the lid during simmering to retain steam. Brown proteins first for foundational flavors. Don't stir too much once liquid is added to prevent gummy rice. Store leftovers in refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat with splash of broth to restore moisture. Can reduce cayenne for kid-friendly version.