Description
This Best Jambalaya Recipe for Mardi Gras is a vibrant celebration of Louisiana cuisine, perfect for festive gatherings. Bursting with robust flavors from a blend of succulent chicken thighs, juicy shrimp, and smoky andouille sausage, this dish is sure to delight your taste buds. Fresh bell peppers, onions, and aromatic spices come together in harmony, creating a mouthwatering meal that embodies the spirit of Mardi Gras. Simple to prepare yet rich in flavor, this jambalaya is ideal for impressing friends and family at your next celebration or enjoying as a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless chicken thighs, diced
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 pound andouille sausage, sliced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper (green or red), chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups long-grain rice
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the sliced andouille sausage and cook until browned. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, add diced chicken thighs; cook until golden brown. Set aside with the sausage.
- Sauté onion, bell pepper, garlic in remaining oil until softened.
- Stir in Cajun seasoning; return sausage and chicken to the pot.
- Add rice, diced tomatoes (with juice), and chicken broth; bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for about 20 minutes or until rice is tender.
- Fold in shrimp during the last five minutes of cooking; let sit covered for an additional five minutes before serving.
Notes
- Feel free to customize proteins by substituting shrimp with crawfish or using plant-based options like tofu.
- Adjust spice levels by reducing Cajun seasoning if you prefer milder flavors.
- Letting jambalaya rest after cooking enhances flavor melding.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Louisiana
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 130mg