Description
This Slow Cooker Jambalaya is a flavorful, hearty dish combining smoky andouille sausage, tender chicken, and a blend of Cajun spices slow-cooked to perfection with tomatoes and herbs. Ideal for an effortless, comforting meal, it’s finished with cooked rice for a satisfying Southern classic.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 lb andouille sausage or smoked sausage, sliced
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 1 inch cubes
Produce and Canned Goods
- 1 (28-oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 3 Tbsp dried minced onion flakes
Liquids and Broth
- 1 cup chicken broth
Herbs and Spices
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp dried parsley
- 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp dried thyme
Grains
- 3 to 4 cups cooked rice
Instructions
- Brown the sausage: Heat a skillet over medium heat and brown the sliced andouille or smoked sausage until cooked through and slightly crispy around the edges. This step adds depth of flavor. Transfer the cooked sausage to your slow cooker.
- Add chicken and ingredients: To the slow cooker, add the cubed chicken breast, the entire can of diced tomatoes with their juice, dried minced onion flakes, minced garlic, and chicken broth. Stir in the dried oregano, dried parsley, Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, and dried thyme to combine all the flavors.
- Slow cook the jambalaya: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook the mixture on LOW for 7 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. This long, gentle cooking will allow the chicken to become tender and the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Add rice and warm through: Once the slow cooking is complete, stir in the cooked rice (3 to 4 cups) into the jambalaya. Cover again and cook for about 15 minutes to warm the rice through and allow everything to blend together for serving.
Notes
- You can substitute andouille sausage with any smoked sausage if unavailable.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to your desired spice level; reduce if sensitive to heat.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt content.
- Cook rice ahead of time to save preparation time before adding to the jambalaya.
- Serve with hot sauce or crusty bread for a complete meal.
