Creole-Spiced Jambalaya with Andouille and Chicken
A hearty one-pot jambalaya bursting with smoky and spicy Creole seasonings, tender chicken, and flavorful andouille sausage. This creole-inspired rice & grains ready in about 55 minutes pairs olive oil, boneless chicken thighs, diced, andouille sausage, sliced 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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, diced
- 8 oz andouille sausage, sliced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 14 oz diced tomatoes, canned
- 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp Creole seasoning
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb diced boneless chicken thighs and 8 oz sliced andouille sausage, cooking for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 medium diced yellow onion, 1 medium diced green bell pepper, and 2 diced celery stalks. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 cloves minced garlic, 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice, 3 cups chicken broth, 2 tbsp Creole seasoning, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 2 bay leaves. Mix well.
- Step 4: Return the chicken and sausage to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 25 minutes until rice is tender and liquid absorbed.
- Step 5: Remove bay leaves, season with salt and black pepper to taste, and sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped parsley before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Creole-Spiced Jambalaya with Andouille and Chicken 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 Creole-Spiced Jambalaya with Andouille and Chicken?
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 Creole-Spiced Jambalaya with Andouille and Chicken?
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 Creole-Spiced Jambalaya with Andouille and Chicken 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 Creole-Spiced Jambalaya with Andouille and Chicken?
Creole 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.
