Jambalaya with Chicken, Sausage, and Shrimp

A Hearty and Flavorful Cajun Dish for Any Occassion

This spicy jambalaya recipe with chicken, sausage, and shrimp is great comfort food all year round, and is especially perfect if you’re celebrating Mardi Gras. Chock full of meat, rice, lots of spices, veggies, and a kick of Tabasco, this dish is like a party in your mouth! 

Jambalaya is a great meal for any night of the week or, as mentioned above, you can dress it up for a Mardi Gras party. This recipe is also customizable – whether you have real heat lovers or kiddos who need a milder version, you can easily control the spice level. Read on for all the options with this delightful Cajun dish!

Simple Ingredients for the Perfect Jambalaya

Don’t let the list of ingredients startle you! These are mostly pantry staples that are easy to find and very simple to combine together. Add the seasonings, protein, and vegetables together to create this easy jambalaya dish!

• Seasoning – Paprika, cayenne, onion powder, garlic powder, and dried oregano, all mixed together for a vibrant color and delicious flavor.
• Oil – This adds flavor and is used to saute the protein.
• Garlic – Starts off with a pungent smell and flavor, but has a soft and sweet buttery flavor when it is cooked.
• Chicken – Cut the boneless skinless chicken breasts into small bite-size pieces that are evenly cut.
• Polska kielbasa – Slice into pieces about ½ inch thick. Make sure they are cut evenly for the cooking process. This sausage is a thick, round sausage that comes packaged in a U shape. You can also use andouille sausage.
• Shrimp – Uncooked, peeled, and deveined large shrimp give this dish an extra boost.
• Vegetables – Onions, celery, and red and green bell peppers adds texture and crunch to the dish.
• Rice – Long grain rice is the way to go, as it soaks up the flavors and spices of the dish. We love to use jasmine white rice.
• Chicken broth – Adds moisture and flavor to the jambalaya.
• Diced tomatoes – Don’t drain the can of tomatoes. Just dump it in, juices and all, to add more moisture and flavor to the dish.
• Worcestershire sauce – although difficult to pronounce, this is a savory and flavorful liquid that gives a smoky taste.
• Bay leaves – Add these in at the very end and then remove them before serving.

How to Make Jambalaya with Chicken, Sausage, and Shrimp

This authentic jambalaya is one of the best dinners, and so easy to make! Just follow these simple steps:

1. Stir together – Combine paprika, cayenne, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
2. Saute – Heat oil in a large skillet and add garlic, chicken, Kielbasa, and shrimp. Saute for about 1 minute. Then add onion, celery, and peppers. Saute another minute or two.
3. Season – Sprinkle with previously combined seasonings. Saute until vegetables become soft and onion becomes translucent.
4. Boil – Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Let boil for about 1 minute, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer on low for about 20-25 minutes or until rice is tender. Remove bay leaves and serve with Tabasco sauce.

So Many Options for this Recipe

You can customize this homemade jambalaya just the way you like it with all sorts of variations and modifications. Here are just a few ways to create your own custom jambalaya recipe!

• Protein – Feel free to use all of the meats like chicken, pork, and shrimp or just one or two of them depending on your taste. If you want to get a bit wild, try other options like beef roast, steak, oysters, crawdads, or even duck.
• Spicy – I love adding a good amount of Tabasco at the end to spice things up a bit but if Tabasco is a bit much for you, just leave it out. Cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes also add a nice heat.
• Peppers – Whether it be red, yellow, orange, or green peppers – I like to add several colors of peppers into my Jambalaya dish for a colorful, festive presentation.
• Too dry? – If the rice seems too dry when you’re done cooking or if it seems too pasty, just add a bit more chicken broth.

What to Serve with Jambalaya

The spicy and rich flavors of this Mardi Gras-inspired dish pair so well with lots of side dishes. Serve with some delicious New Orleans Style Beignet Recipes for dessert and a few of these delicious sides:
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Perfect Corn on the Cob
Fried Biscuits
Sweet Corn Cake
Cheddar Bay Biscuits
Creamed Spinach

Try these other delicious and flavorful recipes that are full of all things cajun:
Instant Pot Gumbo
One Pot Jambalaya Pasta
Cajun Butter Shrimp
Spanish Chicken and Rice
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Shrimp Po’ Boys