Cajun Jambalaya
Cuisine: American Type: Entree

Representative image. Recipe yield may differ
Amounts
Ingredient
Amount (g)
Rice
2 cups (480)
Chicken Broth
4 cups (960)
Andouille Sausage
1 pound (454)
Chicken Breast
1 pound (454)
Onion
1 large (180)
Bell Pepper
1 large (180)
Celery
2 stalks (80)
Garlic
4 cloves (12)
Diced Tomatoes
1 can (400)
Shrimp
1 pound (454)
Cajun Seasoning
2 tablespoons (28)
Thyme
1 teaspoon (5)
Salt
1 teaspoon (5)
Black Pepper
1 teaspoon (5)
Cayenne Pepper
1 teaspoon (5)
Green Onions
4 stalks (60)
Totals
133 oz
(3,762 g)
Calories
Ingredient
Calories (kcal)
Boneless Chicken Thighs
280
Andouille Sausage
280
Shrimp
120
Onion
40
Green Bell Pepper
25
Celery
10
Garlic Cloves
20
Diced Tomatoes
30
Chicken Broth
15
Long Grain Rice
220
Cajun Seasoning
10
Dried Thyme
5
Paprika
5
Cayenne Pepper
5
Salt
0
Black Pepper
0
Green Onions
5
Totals
1,070 kcal
Steps
Step 1: Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Step 2: Add diced onions, bell peppers, and celery to the pot. Sauté until they become translucent and slightly softened.
Step 3: Stir in minced garlic, and cook for an additional minute.
Step 4: Add sliced andouille sausage to the pot. Cook until the sausage starts to brown.
Step 5: Add diced chicken breast to the pot. Cook until the chicken is no longer pink.
Step 6: Sprinkle Cajun seasoning, paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper over the mixture. Stir well to coat the meat and vegetables.
Step 7: Pour in crushed tomatoes and chicken broth. Stir to combine.
Step 8: Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 9: After 20 minutes, add uncooked white rice to the pot. Stir well to incorporate the rice.
Step 10: Cover the pot again and let it simmer on low heat for about 20-25 minutes or until the rice is cooked and tender.
Step 11: Once the rice is cooked, remove the pot from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 12: Remove the lid, and fluff the jambalaya with a fork.
Step 13: Serve the Cajun jambalaya hot, garnished with chopped green onions or parsley if desired. Enjoy!
Substitutions
Substitutions for Cajun Jambalaya:
1. Andouille Sausage:
- Substitute with smoked sausage or chorizo.
- Adjust the quantity based on personal preference.
2. Chicken:
- Substitute with shrimp, crawfish, or tofu for a vegetarian option.
- Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
3. Bell Peppers:
- Substitute with any other colored bell peppers or poblano peppers.
- Adjust the quantity based on personal preference.
4. Onion:
- Substitute with shallots or red onions.
- Adjust the quantity based on personal preference.
5. Garlic:
- Substitute with garlic powder or granulated garlic.
- Use half the amount of fresh garlic called for in the recipe.
6. Tomatoes:
- Substitute with canned diced tomatoes or tomato sauce.
- Adjust the quantity based on personal preference.
7. Rice:
- Substitute with quinoa or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
- Adjust the cooking time and liquid quantity accordingly.
8. Cajun Seasoning:
- Substitute with a mixture of paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried thyme.
- Adjust the quantities to match the desired level of spiciness.
9. Chicken Stock:
- Substitute with vegetable stock or water for a vegetarian option.
- Adjust the seasoning accordingly.
10. Worcestershire Sauce:
- Substitute with soy sauce or tamari.
- Adjust the quantity based on personal preference.
11. Hot Sauce:
- Substitute with cayenne pepper or chili powder.
- Adjust the quantity based on personal preference.
Note: These substitutions are suggestions and may alter the flavor and texture of the dish. Adjustments to cooking time and seasoning may be necessary to achieve desired results.
Pairings
- Cornbread
- Fried Okra
- Collard Greens
- Red Beans and Rice
- Gumbo
- Shrimp Etouffee
- Blackened Catfish
- Crawfish Étouffée
- Andouille Sausage
- Hush Puppies
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Fried Green Tomatoes
- Beignets
- Sazerac (cocktail)
- Hurricane (cocktail)
- Abita Amber (beer)
- Sweet Tea
Upgrades
1. Improve presentation:
- Garnish the Cajun Jambalaya with fresh chopped parsley or cilantro for a pop of color.
- Serve the dish in individual mini cast iron skillets or ramekins for an elegant and rustic presentation.
- Top each serving with a sprinkle of smoked paprika or Cajun seasoning for added visual appeal.
2. Improve texture/flavor profile:
- Add a handful of sautéed shrimp or crawfish tails to the Jambalaya for a seafood twist.
- Incorporate slices of spicy andouille sausage to enhance the smoky flavor.
- Stir in a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk at the end to create a creamy and rich texture.
3. Elevate with luxurious ingredients:
- Replace regular chicken with tender pieces of smoked duck or confit duck leg for a more indulgent experience.
- Use high-quality jumbo lump crab meat instead of regular crab meat for a luxurious touch.
- Substitute regular rice with fragrant jasmine or basmati rice to elevate the overall taste and aroma.
Diet Restrictions
- Use lean protein options such as skinless chicken breast or shrimp instead of fatty meats like sausage or pork.
- Increase the amount of vegetables in the dish by adding bell peppers, celery, and onions.
- Replace white rice with brown rice or quinoa for a higher fiber content.
- Reduce the amount of added salt by using low-sodium broth or homemade broth.
- Use olive oil instead of butter or lard for a healthier fat option.
- Opt for homemade Cajun seasoning to control the sodium content and avoid additives.
- Adjust the spice level according to personal preference or dietary restrictions.
- Consider using low-sodium or no-salt-added canned tomatoes or fresh tomatoes instead of regular canned tomatoes.
- If avoiding gluten, ensure that the Worcestershire sauce and any other condiments used are gluten-free.
- Serve smaller portion sizes or pair the dish with a side salad to manage calorie intake for weight management.
Healthy Choices
- Use lean protein sources such as chicken breast or shrimp instead of fatty meats like sausage or bacon.
- Increase the amount of vegetables in the dish, such as bell peppers, onions, celery, and tomatoes.
- Reduce the amount of oil used for cooking by using cooking spray or small amounts of healthier oils like olive or avocado oil.
- Choose whole grain rice instead of white rice for added fiber and nutrients.
- Limit the amount of added salt by using Cajun seasoning blends with no added salt or reducing the amount of salt in the recipe.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth or make your own broth to control the amount of sodium in the dish.
- Opt for fresh or dried herbs and spices to enhance flavor instead of relying on excessive amounts of salt or sodium-heavy seasoning mixes.
- Serve smaller portion sizes to control calorie intake.
- Consider adding lean protein alternatives like tofu or beans for a vegetarian version.
- Use cooking methods like grilling, baking, or steaming instead of deep frying to reduce added fat and calories.
Shortcuts
1. Use pre-cooked proteins: Save time by using pre-cooked proteins like leftover chicken or shrimp instead of cooking them from scratch.
2. Opt for frozen vegetables: Use frozen vegetables instead of fresh ones to save time on chopping and reduce costs.
3. Utilize store-bought Cajun seasoning: Instead of making your own Cajun seasoning from scratch, use a store-bought one to save time and ensure a consistent flavor.
4. Substitute with affordable proteins: Replace expensive proteins like shrimp with more affordable options like smoked sausage or chicken thighs.
5. Cook rice separately: Cook the rice separately instead of incorporating it into the jambalaya. This allows you to control the consistency of the rice and saves time during the cooking process.
6. Utilize canned tomatoes: Use canned diced tomatoes instead of fresh ones to save time on chopping and reduce costs.
7. Make a larger batch: Prepare a larger quantity of jambalaya and freeze the leftovers for future meals. This saves time and money by reducing the frequency of cooking.
8. Use a pressure cooker: Consider using a pressure cooker to reduce the cooking time of the jambalaya while maintaining its flavors.
9. Minimize chopping: Opt for pre-chopped onions, bell peppers, and celery to save time and effort in the preparation process.
10. Serve with cost-effective sides: Instead of expensive sides, serve the jambalaya with budget-friendly options like cornbread or a simple green salad.