Jambalaya

This was an easy and delicious recipe. Even though it had a bit of a kick to it, my girls still ate it. They especially loved all the meat! I made a huge pot of this. I plan on having it again for dinner one night this week and freezing the rest for later. A great one pot meal!

Jambalaya

Ingredients

There are many recipes out there that call for “cajun spice”, but they really are just made up of all the following herbs and spices. I like to create my own combo, so add or omit any you don’t like.

1 packet andouille or smoked sausage (could sub chicken sausage) sliced into bite-sized pieces
3 boneless skinless chicken thighs (could use 1 large or 2 small breasts)
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2-1/2 cups chicken stock
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon chili powder, chili flakes, cumin, AND cayenne pepper—(These are your “smoke and heat”, so add more or less depending on what you like)
1 tablespoon Old Bay
1 teaspoon celery seed
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2 bay leaves
3 tablespoons tomato paste
One 28 oz. can chopped tomatoes
1-1/2 cups long grain rice

Instructions

Heat the oil in a stock pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until hot.

Add the chicken and sausage. Cook thoroughly and take out and put to the side.

Add your chopped onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Cook for 5-6 minutes until soft. Add the tomato paste and mix together for a 2 minutes.

Add the rice and all of your spices and herbs. Mix well.

Add the canned tomatoes (juice included). Mix and add in half of your chicken stock. Bring to a boil. Mix well. Add in the rest of your chicken stock.

Lower heat to low. Cook covered for 20 minutes or until rice is cooked through.

Lastly add the raw shrimp, chicken, and sausage. Gently stir in.

Cook for 5 more minutes until the the shrimp is firm. (Smaller shrimp may require less cooking time.) Stir periodically, if necessary, to keep from sticking.