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    Home

    30-Minute Jambalaya

    Published: Apr 19, 2022 by Jenn · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Making Jambalaya doesn’t have to be time-consuming thanks to this quick and easy jambalaya recipe. We’re going to be using several shortcuts to help you get dinner on the table quickly without sacrificing flavor.

    Best of all, jambalaya cooks up in one pot which makes cleaning up a cinch.

    A pan of finished jambalaya with visible andouille sausage, shrimp, chicken, and rice.

    How to Make Jambalaya in 30 Minutes

    For this jambalaya recipe, I used as many time-saving shortcuts as possible. If you don’t have the same ingredients on hand or have them in a different form, I’ll make notes about substitutions and the changes in cook times. Jambalaya can be pretty versatile!

    Ingredients

    Let’s dive into what ingredients I used to make this truly a 30-minute meal. I’ll also go into what other options you have.

    Jambalaya ingredients prepped and ready to use.

    Olive oil – My personal choice. You can use another cooking oil or butter if you need to. Just don’t use an oil meant for flavoring oil like truffle or sesame.

    Onion – Use frozen, diced onions to save prep time and cook time.

    Green Bell Pepper – Use frozen, diced, green bell pepper for the same reasons.

    Chicken – Using the white meat from a cooked rotisserie chicken saves a lot of time. You can shred it by hand ahead of time or have one of your kids shred it while you prepare the other ingredients.

    Make sure to buy a plain, cooked chicken or one with mild, minimal flavors. Lemon pepper or garlic flavors will probably be ok. BBQ chicken or a spicy flavor will be overpowering in this jambalaya recipe.

    If you’re using raw chicken, you’ll need to dice it first and cook it for longer. See the notes in the recipe card.

    Sausage – Authentic jambalaya calls for andouille sausage. It’s pre-cooked, smoked, and quick to cut up so it doesn’t take much time to prepare it for the pot.

    Garlic – I used minced garlic in a jar to save the time it would take to peel and mince it myself. Normally, jarred garlic is found in the produce section of the grocery store.

    Tomatoes – A 15oz can of crushed tomatoes is all you really need but I like a few tomato chunks in my jambalaya. I ended up using a can of fire-roasted, diced tomatoes (undrained) and added some crushed tomatoes to create enough liquid for the recipe.

    You could also use tomato paste thinned out with water in a pinch. Just make sure you have around 15 ounces total so that the rice will cook. It’s better to have slightly soupy jambalaya than to make it so dry that the rice ends up hard.

    Chicken stock – Use a low-sodium recipe if you’re using canned or boxed broth. If you’re using bullion cubes to make broth, water it down so it’s less salty. The same advice applies to my personal favorite method which is using Better Than Bullion.

    I no longer store broth in my kitchen because Better Than Bullion frees up the space and tastes much better than using bullion cubes.

    Whichever you choose, know that the other ingredients in this recipe contain a good bit of sodium. So if you use full sodium broth. your final dish is going to be too salty.

    Rice – Use a long-grain variety. Short grain sticky rice is one of my great loves but it’s not for jambalaya!

    Creole seasoning – Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning is the way to go here. If you don’t have access to it you can make your own blend of salt, red pepper, black pepper, chili powder, and garlic powder.

    Shrimp – Purchase large, peeled, deveined shrimp from the freezer section at your grocery store and thaw it in the fridge before using.

    Of course, you can use fresh shrimp or frozen shrimp with the peel on too, but you’ll spend extra time peeling them.

    If you forgot to thaw the shrimp in the fridge the night before, you’re in luck. Shrimp thaws very quickly.

    Place the shrimp in a bowl of cool water (warm water will start to cook them) and they’ll be thawed in about 20 minutes.

    Celery – Authentic jambalaya contains celery. However, I’m not a fan of the flavor so I omitted it. If you like celery in your recipe and need to save time, use frozen diced celery. Kroger even makes a Cajun Style Mirepoix Blend with ALL THREE veggies. A bag and a half of that would really be a time-saver.

    Directions

    In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add frozen onions and frozen peppers (celery too if you are using it) and cook until soft, about 2 minutes. If you are using fresh vegetables instead of frozen, you’ll need to cook them longer until softened, about 5 minutes.

    Frozen, diced onions and peppers cooking in oil.

    Stir in shredded, cooked chicken and Italian seasoning. Stir until warmed through and fragrant.

    Shredded chicken breasts and oregano being mixed into a large pan of cooked jambalaya vegetables.

    Stir in sausage, garlic, and crushed tomatoes and mix well.

    Sliced andouille sausage, crushed tomatoes and garlic added to a pan of cooked chicken and vegetables.

    Add broth, rice, and creole seasoning and stir.

    Chicken broth being poured into a pan of cooking jambalaya.

    Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pot with a fitted lid. Cook 20 minutes or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.

    Jambalaya simmering in a covered pan.

    Remove the pot from the heat and add the shrimp. Stir it slowly but continuously for about 3 minutes until the shrimp is pink.

    Don’t overcook the shrimp or it will be rubbery. Shrimp cooks very quickly and will continue to cook a little even as you’re dishing it up to serve.

    Raw shrimp added to cooked jambalaya recipe.

    This is what jambalaya looks like when it’s finished. It’s thick and most of the liquid is absorbed.

    A pan of finished jambalaya with visible andouille sausage, shrimp, chicken, and rice.

    You can add an optional garnish if you like before serving. Fresh Italian parsley, chives, chopped basil leaves, or green onions are good suggestions.

    A finished pot of jambalaya topped with a garnish of chopped Italian parsley.

    What to Serve with Jambalaya

    Jambalaya really is a whole meal in one pot. You’ve got meat, veggies, and grain in there as it is. But if you want to serve something with it for dinner, I suggest a good salad to provide extra greens.

    Cornbread or French bread pairs well with jambalaya. Don’t forget about dessert! A Southern favorite of mine is this quick and easy peach cobbler recipe.

    FAQ

    Can you freeze jambalaya?

    You can, but you’ll sacrifice the texture of the cooked rice and shrimp. Some people don’t mind and others do. If you do decide to freeze this jambalaya recipe, make sure to cool it completely first. Then, leave the shrimp out and add them when you’re reheating.

    What is the difference between gumbo and jambalaya?

    They are quite similar in flavor and ingredients. In Jambalaya, the rice is cooked with the rest of the ingredients and served all together. The consistency is thick and there’s almost no liquid left after cooking it.
    By contrast, gumbo is served over rice that has been prepared separately and has more of a soupy texture.

    Is jambalaya spicy?

    This jambalaya is medium-spicy due to the use of creole seasoning and andouille sausage. If you need a milder taste, you can make your own seasoning blend and omit all or most of the ground red pepper. Using a different type of smoked sausage that’s less spicy can help too. Try kielbasa.

    Is jambalaya healthy?

    Jambalaya is high in calories, fat, and sodium which disqualifies it as a health food. That’s also what makes it filling, delicious, comforting, and hearty though!
    It’s likely better than a burger and fries from the drive-through but you’ll want to enjoy it in moderation if you’re concerned about weight gain or heart health.

    Crock Pot Jambalaya

    With just a few easy modifications, this can be a Crock Pot Jambalaya recipe! Here’s what to do:

    1. Add onion, bell pepper, chicken, Italian seasoning, sausage, garlic, crushed tomatoes, and a splash of broth to the slow cooker.
    2. Cook on low for up to 4 hours. Note: If you’re using a rotisserie chicken, the goal here is just to get the ingredients warmed and melded. If you’re using raw, diced chicken breasts, be sure to cook the jambalaya in the Crock Pot on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2.5-3 to ensure the chicken is cooked.
    3. While the jambalaya is cooking, prepare the rice separately according to package directions. You can cook the rice in broth for more flavor or just prepare it with water to reduce sodium.
    4. After the cooking time is over, turn off the Crock Pot and immediately add the shrimp. Stir to combine and replace the lid. The heat and moisture will cook the shrimp within a few minutes.
    5. Stir in the separately cooked rice until combined then garnish and serve.

    Instant Pot Jambalaya

    If you want to make Jambalaya in your Instant Pot, it’s even easier than the slow cooker recipe.

    1. Use the saute function to heat the oil in the pressure cooker pot and follow the regular recipe’s stovetop instructions until you’re ready to add the rice.
    2. Turn off the saute setting and add broth, rice, and creole seasoning. Stir well making sure to scrape up anything that might have stuck to the bottom of the pot.
    3. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
    4. Do a “quick release” and open the lid as soon as it’s safe to do so. We don’t want steam burns!
    5. Add the shrimp, stir to combine, and replace the lid.
    6. Allow the heat from the other ingredients and the residual heat from the pot to cook the shrimp. This should only take 3-5 minutes.
    7. Garnish and serve.

    Variations

    • You can reduce the amount of meat and make up the difference with more vegetables. This is a good option to reduce fat, calories, and sodium.
    • Omit one of the meats entirely if one isn’t to your liking.
    • Try a different type of smoked sausage instead of andouille. It won’t be as authentic but sometimes you need something less spicy, more affordable, or what’s available to you. As long as it’s smoked and precooked it will be fine. Kielbasa or a smoked meat sausage that you’ll find in the lunchmeat section with the andouille and kielbasa will work.
    A pan of finished jambalaya with visible andouille sausage, shrimp, chicken, and rice.

    30-Minute Jambalaya

    Jenn
    Make jambalaya in 30 minutes or less with this quick and easy, one-pot recipe.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Southern
    Servings 8
    Calories 497 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 teaspoon olive oil
    • 1 cup onion frozen, diced
    • 1 cup green bell pepper frozen, diced
    • 1 rotisserie chicken shredded
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • 1 lb andouille sausage
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 15 oz crushed tomatoes
    • 2 cups low-sodium chicken stock
    • 1 cup long-grain rice
    • 2 teaspoon Tony Chachere creole seasoning
    • 1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined

    Instructions
     

    • In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat.
    • Add frozen onions and frozen peppers and cook until soft, about 2 minutes. (See notes if you are using fresh instead of frozen.)
    • Stir in shredded, cooked chicken and Italian seasoning. Stir until warmed through and fragrant.
    • Stir in sausage, garlic, and crushed tomatoes and mix well.
    • Add broth, rice, and creole seasoning and stir.
    • Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pot with a fitted lid.
    • Cook 20 minutes or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
    • Remove the pot from the heat and add the shrimp. Stir it slowly but continuously for about 3 minutes until the shrimp is pink. Don't overcook!
    • Optional: Top the jambalaya with a garnish of fresh Italian parsley, chives, chopped basil leaves, or green onion before serving.

    Notes

    *If you are using fresh bell peppers and onions you’ll need to cook them until softened, about 5 minutes.
    *If you are using raw chicken breasts instead of a pre-cooked chicken, dice the chicken before adding it to the pan. Cook until slightly browned and no longer pink in the middle. Add the frozen onions and bell pepper to the pan after the chicken so that the meat can cook thoroughly without overcooking the vegetables.
    See the complete blog post for slow cooker and pressure cooker directions.
    Keyword cajun,
    Nutrition Facts
    30-Minute Jambalaya
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 497 Calories from Fat 216
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 24g37%
    Saturated Fat 7g44%
    Trans Fat 1g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
    Monounsaturated Fat 8g
    Cholesterol 192mg64%
    Sodium 1133mg49%
    Potassium 569mg16%
    Carbohydrates 28g9%
    Fiber 2g8%
    Sugar 4g4%
    Protein 43g86%
    Vitamin A 521IU10%
    Vitamin C 22mg27%
    Calcium 75mg8%
    Iron 2mg11%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Did You Make This Recipe?Please leave a comment below or share on Pinterest

    Looking for the web story version of this recipe? Find it here.

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    1. Lynn Burgett says

      May 10, 2022 at 1:06 pm

      Never…..celery or tomato..never. From one true Cajun.

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Jenn, a Southern food blogger and mother living in Alabama. After having my wonderful daughter, I decided to embark on a journey of sharing my Southern cooking recipes with the world.

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