Jambalaya is as synonymous with NOLA Cuisine as Gumbo! There are vicious debates about whether the dish is of French or Spanish origin. The word itself is from the French & Spanish word for Ham, Jambon. The a la is French, and the ya is said to be an African word for “Rice”. Personally, I can’t see how someone could dispute the dishes similarity to the Spanish Paella, but hey, my opinion is like everyone else’s: Worthless. Here is what we do know about Jambalaya: It’s delicious! So everyone quick arguing and get cooking! (Although I love that people in Louisiana argue about food!) Here is my recipe:

Chicken & Andouille Sausage Jambalaya Recipe

This one-pot Creole-style jambalaya is loaded with smoky Conecuh sausage, tender chicken, and rich tomato flavor. Whether you use boneless chicken for speed or bone-in thighs for depth, you'll end up with a deeply satisfying Southern classic.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 1

Servings: 4 people

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Cajun

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

Proteins

1 lb Option A (Boneless): boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, chopped
1½-2 lbs Option B (Bone-In): lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 4–5 pieces)
12 oz Conecuh sausage, sliced into coins or half-moons

Vegetables:

½ cup Yellow onion diced
½ cup Bell pepper diced
2 Celery stalks diced
3 garlic cloves minced
2-3 green onions Optional, sliced, for garnish

Pantry

1½ cup Enriched long grain rice
14 oz Crushed tomatoes
8 oz Tomato sauce
2½ cup chicken stock
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp Unsalted Butter, olive oil, or duck fat
1 tbsp Crystal hot sauce
½ cup dry white wine or amber beer (for deglazing) Optional

Seasoning

1 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tsp Thyme dried
½ tsp celery salt
½ tsp Cayenne Pepper
3 bay leaves
1 tsp Kosher salt

Equipment

6 qt Dutch oven or large heavy pot with lid
Cutting board + sharp knife
Tongs
Wooden spoon or spatula
Measuring cups/spoons
Optional: fork for fluffing rice

Method

STEP 1: Cook the Chicken

Option A – Boneless (Quick):
Heat 1 tbsp oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chopped boneless chicken, season with salt and pepper, and sear until browned (doesn’t need to be fully cooked). Remove from pot and set aside.
Option B – Bone-In (Flavor-Boosted)
Pat thighs dry, season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear thighs skin-side down ~6 min, flip and sear 4 more min.
Add ½ cup water or stock. Cover, reduce to medium-low, and simmer for 20–25 min until chicken is 175–185°F internally. Remove thighs. Once cool enough, discard skin and bones. Shred meat and set aside.
Reserve pan juices for later if desired (counts toward the 2½ cups broth).

STEP 2: Brown the Sausage & Sauté Aromatics

In same pot, add Conecuh sausage slices. Brown until caramelized (~5 min). Remove and set aside.
Add a bit more oil if needed. Add onion, bell pepper, and celery. Cook 6–8 min, scraping up browned bits. Add garlic and cook 1 min more
Optional: Deglaze with ½ cup white wine or amber beer, scraping the pot.

STEP 3: Spice It Up

Return sausage and chicken (shredded or chopped) to the pot. Add paprika, thyme, celery salt, cayenne, black pepper. Stir to coat evenly.

STEP 4: Add Rice & Simmer

Add rice, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken stock, worcestershire, hot sauce, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, stir, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 25–30 minutes (white rice), stirring once halfway through. Check rice doneness at 25 min.
Using brown rice? Increase liquid by ½ cup and simmer 45–50 min, checking at 40.

STEP 5: Rest and Fluff

Turn off heat, keep covered, and let rest 10 minutes. Remove bay leaves. Fluff with a fork

STEP 6: Garnish and Serve

Top with green onions. Serve with hot sauce and crusty bread, or a green salad.

Notes

**NOTE** You could substitute shrimp or other seafood for the chicken, and seafood stock for the chicken stock. You could also substitute ham, tasso, kielbasa, chorizo, etc, etc… for the Andouille. This dish is great for using up leftovers, its origins are all about stretching ingredients. As long as you keep the liquid/rice ratio you can use whatever you choose.

Drink Pairing Suggestions

Wine: Dry Riesling, White Rhône blend, or chilled Pinot Noir
Beer: Amber Lager, Hefeweizen, or Saison
Non-alcoholic: Sweet tea with lemon or a citrus shrub soda