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    Home » Main Dishes » Simplified Jambalaya

    Simplified Jambalaya

    Published: Feb 26, 2020 · Modified: Feb 20, 2022 by Sula · This post may contain affiliate links · 10 Comments

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    When you say “Jambalaya” most people will smile and say they love it. But a lot of people don’t make it. Why? Perhaps because it sounds exotic and the ingredients are sometimes hard to find. Andouille sausage, for instance. Not widely available.

    So, many years ago, I set out to make my own easy version of Jambalaya using readily-available ingredients. I call it: (What else?) “Simplified Jambalaya” just to keep the purists from reacting to non-traditional ingredients. LOL.

    Ingredients needed

    This Creole rice dish traditionally has 3 different meats: sausage, seafood, and chicken or pork. I use chicken, so we can check that box. For seafood, I use shrimp, usually medium size that I cut into thirds because I like my pieces chunky.

    So far so good, right? Well, hold on tight, the sausage is where I really veer off course: I use bulk packaged Italian sausage, the kind for spaghetti sauce or pizza. If I can find a package labeled “sweet” Italian sausage, even better. I also use Italian-flavored diced tomatoes. These are sometimes labeled “pasta-ready” diced tomatoes.

    can of diced tomatoes

    I also use Italian-flavored diced tomatoes. These are sometimes labeled “pasta-ready” diced tomatoes.

    How am I doing so far? Mind blown yet? I know it sounds a little weird, but somehow it really works.

    How to make the jambalaya

    To start, pre-cook brown rice in boiling water for 30 minutes, then drain. While the rice is cooking, start the rest of the ingredients.

    ingredients browning in a skillet

    Brown the chicken and sausage in a large skillet for about 5 minutes, then add the vegetables and continue until the meat is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.

    Jambalaya cooking in skillet

    Then, add in the liquids (chicken stock and the can of tomatoes) and the seasonings and cook until heated through. When the rice is finished, add to the skillet with the shrimp, then cover the skillet and reduce heat to low.

    Simmer the mixture, covered, for 50-60 minutes until all the liquid is absorbed.

    Jambalaya in a yellow bowl with a mardi gras mask nearby

    This is not a super-spicy jambalaya, so have that bottle of hot sauce ready for those in the spicy section! For the rest of us, enjoy the wonderful combinations of tastes and textures in a satisfying dish!

    Jambalaya in a bowl with garlic bread

    Love it with garlic bread!

    Jambalaya Pin

    Delicious!

    Jambalaya in a red bowl
    5 from 39 votes
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    Simplified Jambalaya

    Deliciously made with easy to find ingredients
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time1 hr 30 mins
    Total Time1 hr 40 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 349kcal
    Author: Sula

    Ingredients

    • ¾ cup brown rice
    • ½ pound skinless boneless chicken breast halves - cubed
    • ½ pound bulk Italian sausage
    • 2 garlic cloves minced
    • 2 TB butter
    • ½ to 1 medium green pepper chopped (optional)
    • 1 celery rib thinly sliced
    • 1 small onion chopped
    • 1 can “pasta-ready” diced tomatoes undrained
    • ¾ c chicken stock
    • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
    • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • ⅛ teaspoon hot pepper sauce
    • ¼ - ½ pound uncooked medium shrimp - peeled deveined and chopped

    Instructions

    • Prepare rice by boiling in a saucepan with 2 quarts water for 30 minutes – drain.
    • Meanwhile, in a large skillet on medium heat, cook chicken, sausage and garlic in butter for 5 minutes. Add the green pepper, celery and onion; cook and stir until meat is no longer pink and vegetables are tender.
    • Stir in canned tomatoes, chicken stock and seasonings; heat through. Add the shrimp and rice; cover and simmer on very low heat for 50-60 minutes until the liquid is absorbed.
    • Serve with crusty garlic bread.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 349kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 123mg | Sodium: 830mg | Potassium: 471mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 243IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 2mg

    Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.

    If, like me, you love to use brown rice in dishes like this, try my brown rice and bean bake for a Tex-Mex version!

    « Dutch Baby
    Old Fashioned Chili »

    Filed Under: Main Dishes, Pork Tagged With: Carnivores, meals

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Emily

      January 22, 2022 at 1:00 am

      5 stars
      Best dinner I’ve made in a while. Everyone loved it!!

      Reply
      • Sula

        January 22, 2022 at 11:59 am

        Thank you so much for the kind review!

        Reply
    2. Vincit

      March 29, 2020 at 11:02 am

      5 stars
      What a great meal!

      Reply
      • Sula

        March 29, 2020 at 12:03 pm

        I agree, it's one of my favorites!

        Reply
    3. Mijia Eggers

      February 27, 2020 at 2:06 am

      Never tried before. It doesn't take long to cook that so I could try it one day. the food looks delicious.

      Reply
      • Sula

        February 27, 2020 at 6:03 pm

        yes its very delicious!

        Reply
    4. Darina

      February 26, 2020 at 3:05 pm

      I will try your recipe soon I have been craving some jambalaya for a long time. Thak you for sharing.
      Darina
      https://daramiblog.com/

      Reply
      • Sula

        February 26, 2020 at 3:12 pm

        Enjoy!

        Reply
    5. Yuri

      February 26, 2020 at 9:17 am

      I love jambalaya😍. This recipe sounds amazing. Thanks for sharing😊

      Reply
      • Sula

        February 26, 2020 at 9:32 am

        Thanks for stopping by 🙂

        Reply

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