Zesty Louisiana Jambalaya Recipe: Spice Up Dinner Tonight

Simmering with robust flavors and southern charm, this zesty spicy jambalaya recipe delivers a culinary adventure straight from louisiana’s heart.

Andouille sausage, tender chicken, and succulent shrimp dance together in a vibrant, fiery sauce that promises to ignite your taste buds.

Every bite tells a story of rich cultural heritage and bold spices blending seamlessly.

The dish captures the essence of creole cooking with its complex layers of seasoning and hearty ingredients.

Aromatic rice absorbs every drop of the spicy, savory liquid, creating a meal that’s both comforting and exciting.

You’ll love how quickly this one-pot wonder comes together, making weeknight dinners feel like a special occasion.

Get ready to spice up your dinner table with this irresistible jambalaya that brings new orleans right to your kitchen.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 460 kcal

Servings: 5

What’s in Spicy Jambalaya

• Onions: Aromatic foundation that builds deep, rich flavor layers and provides natural sweetness.
• Bell Pepper: Adds vibrant color, crisp texture, and classic Cajun vegetable essence.
• Celery: Contributes subtle earthy undertones and traditional Louisiana-style vegetable blend.
• Garlic: Intense flavor booster that elevates the entire dish's complexity.

• Chicken: Tender protein that absorbs surrounding spices and adds hearty substance.
• Sausage: Delivers smoky, spicy notes typical in authentic jambalaya recipes.
• Shrimp: Brings coastal seafood character and delicate protein variation.

• Tomatoes: Creates tangy base and adds moisture to the dish.
• Tomato Sauce: Enhances richness and provides smooth, cohesive texture.
• Chicken Stock: Builds depth of flavor and ensures perfect rice consistency.
• Cajun Seasoning: Signature spice blend that defines the dish's bold Louisiana character.
• Oregano, Basil: Herbaceous notes that complement the spicy profile.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers that balance the entire dish.
• Hot Sauce: Optional intense heat for spice enthusiasts.
• Rice: Traditional jambalaya foundation that absorbs all the incredible flavors.
• Parsley: Fresh garnish that adds bright, clean finishing touch.

The Right Tools for Cooking Jambalaya at Home

• Large pan: Essential for sautéing vegetables, meat, and building jambalaya's base flavor.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping vegetables, chicken, and sausage.
• Sharp knife: Critical for precise ingredient preparation.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Helps accurately portion rice, seasonings, and liquids.
• Separate sauté pan: Used for cooking shrimp with perfect seasoning.
• Lid: Covers pan while rice simmers and absorbs liquid.
• Serving spoon: Allows easy transfer of jambalaya to plates.

Jambalaya Instructions That Keep It Bold

• Veggie Symphony Sauté onions, bell peppers, and celery in a sizzling pan until they become soft and fragrant, releasing their magical aromas.
• Protein Parade Add succulent chicken and spicy sausage, letting them dance and brown together in the pan, creating a flavor foundation.
• Tomato Tango Splash in vibrant tomatoes, crushing them gently to release their rich, tangy essence into the developing mixture.
• Spice Explosion Sprinkle Cajun magic with herbs and seasonings, transforming the dish into a bold, exciting flavor journey.
• Rice Rhythm Introduce fluffy rice, allowing it to absorb all the incredible spices and juices, simmering slowly until perfectly tender.
• Seafood Finale Quickly sear plump shrimp with a kiss of Cajun seasoning, then nestle them into the steaming jambalaya.
• Garnish Celebration Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, adding a burst of color and freshness to this Louisiana-inspired feast.

Making Your Spicy Jambalaya Stand Out

• Expert Tips & Twists
• Replace chicken and shrimp with crawfish, turkey, or andouille sausage for unique flavor profiles that keep your meal exciting and personalized.
• Adjust Cajun seasoning and hot sauce quantities to match your spice tolerance, creating a jambalaya that's perfectly tailored to your taste buds.
• Toss in extra vegetables like okra, diced zucchini, or chopped spinach to increase nutritional value and add vibrant color to your one-pot wonder.
• Prepare jambalaya a day in advance, as the flavors intensify overnight, delivering an even more delicious meal when reheated gently on the stovetop.
• If rice turns out too dry, stir in a splash of chicken stock or water while reheating to restore moisture and maintain that perfect jambalaya consistency.

Great Ways to Serve Spicy Jambalaya

• Pair with Fresh Slaw: Complement the spicy jambalaya with a crisp, cool coleslaw to balance the heat and add a refreshing crunch.
• Southern-Style Side Plating: Serve on a large platter with cornbread or garlic toast to soak up the rich, flavorful sauce.
• Wine and Dine Pairing: Choose a cold beer like a light lager or a crisp white wine such as Riesling to cool down the spicy flavors.
• Herb Freshness Finish: Sprinkle extra chopped fresh parsley or green onions just before serving to add brightness and visual appeal.

Saving Jambalaya for Another Meal

• Store Smartly: Transfer leftover jambalaya to airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Refrigerate Correctly: Keep jambalaya in sealed containers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring the temperature stays below 40°F to preserve quality and safety.
• Freeze for Later: Pack cooled jambalaya in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen jambalaya maintains best quality for up to 2-3 months.
• Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated jambalaya in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of chicken stock to prevent drying. Microwave in short intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and maintain the dish's delicious texture.

Fiery Jambalaya Recipe

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4.6 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty jambalaya from Louisiana brings together robust Creole flavors with succulent shrimp, spicy sausage, and tender chicken. Simmered rice and bold seasonings create a satisfying meal that invites you to savor each complex, rich bite.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (454 g) chicken breast, boneless, skinless, chopped
• ½ lb (227 g) andouille sausage, chopped
• ½ lb (227 g) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 to 4 tomatoes, chopped (about 1 lb or 454 g)
• 2 small onions, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 to 3 jalapeno peppers, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 6 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 cup white rice
• 8 oz (237 ml) tomato sauce
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 1 tsp olive oil (for shrimp)
• 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped parsley, for garnish
• Hot sauce, for serving

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Instructions

1. Sauté Base: Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature, blending onions, bell peppers, and celery into a fragrant, softened foundation, creating depth of flavor within 6-7 minutes.
2. Layer Proteins: Introduce minced garlic, diced chicken, and sliced sausage, cooking until chicken transitions from raw pink to completely opaque, ensuring thorough protein development.
3. Build Liquid Foundation: Crush whole tomatoes directly into skillet, breaking them into smaller fragments, then integrate Cajun seasoning, oregano, basil, salt, black pepper, tomato sauce, and chicken stock, creating a robust flavor profile.
4. Rice Infusion: Fold uncooked rice into seasoned liquid, bringing mixture to a vigorous boil, then reduce to gentle simmer, covering skillet and allowing rice to absorb complex flavors and become perfectly tender over 25-30 minutes.
5. Seafood Integration: Season raw shrimp with salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning, quickly sautéing in separate skillet until turning pink and opaque, then delicately fold into jambalaya, ensuring even distribution.
6. Final Presentation: Transfer jambalaya into warm serving bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and offer additional hot sauce on side for those craving extra heat and personalization.

Notes

• Ingredient Timing: Chop vegetables and proteins before starting to cook for smooth, efficient preparation.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust Cajun seasoning and hot sauce gradually to match personal heat preference without overwhelming flavors.
• Rice Absorption Technique: Keep skillet covered and undisturbed during simmering to ensure rice cooks evenly and absorbs maximum flavor.
• Seafood Precision: Cook shrimp separately and add last to prevent overcooking, maintaining tender texture and preventing rubbery consistency.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Cajun/Creole

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 460
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 49 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg