Classic New Orleans Jambalaya with Andouille Sausage
A hearty Creole jambalaya featuring smoky andouille sausage, tender chicken, and aromatic spices simmered with rice for a soulful Louisiana meal. This caribbean-inspired rice & grains ready in about 55 minutes pairs Olive oil, large, diced Yellow onion, medium, diced Green bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds Andouille sausage
- 1 lb, diced into 1-inch pieces Boneless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 large, diced Yellow onion
- 1 medium, diced Green bell pepper
- 2, diced Celery stalks
- 3 cloves Minced garlic
- 1 1/2 cups Long grain white rice
- 3 cups Chicken broth
- 1 cup Diced tomatoes with juice
- 2 tsp Creole seasoning
- 1 tsp Dried thyme
- 1 Bay leaf
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Chopped green onions
- 1 tbsp, chopped Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz sliced andouille sausage and sauté for 4 minutes until browned and crispy around edges. Remove sausage and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 lb diced chicken thighs. Cook for 5-6 minutes until browned on all sides but not fully cooked through.
- Step 3: Add 1 large diced yellow onion, 1 diced green bell pepper, 2 diced celery stalks, and 3 cloves minced garlic. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice and cook for 2 minutes to toast the rice slightly.
- Step 5: Pour in 3 cups chicken broth, 1 cup diced tomatoes with juice, and add 2 tsp Creole seasoning, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 bay leaf, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Step 6: Return the cooked andouille sausage to the pot. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Step 7: Remove bay leaf, fluff jambalaya with a fork, and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped green onions and 1 tbsp fresh parsley before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Classic New Orleans Jambalaya with Andouille Sausage take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Classic New Orleans Jambalaya with Andouille Sausage?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Classic New Orleans Jambalaya with Andouille Sausage?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Classic New Orleans Jambalaya with Andouille Sausage for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Classic New Orleans Jambalaya with Andouille Sausage?
Caribbean rice & grains like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.