Authentic Louisiana Jambalaya: The Ultimate Chicken & Sausage Recipe for a Crowd

Prepare yourself for a culinary journey to the heart of Louisiana with The Best Jambalaya recipe you’ll ever taste. This iconic, vibrant dish is a cornerstone of Southern comfort food, celebrated for its rich flavors and hearty ingredients. Our recipe brings together succulent chicken, robust spicy sausage, and a perfect blend of fluffy rice, aromatic onions, and crisp celery into one magnificent pot. What’s even better? This recipe is designed to feed a hungry crowd, making it ideal for family gatherings, potlucks, or simply ensuring delicious leftovers for days.

Originating from the diverse culinary traditions of Louisiana, Jambalaya tells a story with every bite. It’s a versatile dish that reflects both French and Spanish influences, evolving over centuries into the beloved staple it is today. While there are two main variations – Creole (often including tomatoes, earning it the nickname “red jambalaya”) and Cajun (browner, without tomatoes) – our recipe leans into the heartier, more rustic Cajun style, focusing on a deep, savory flavor built from browned meats and a seasoned broth.

Serve this masterpiece with a side of homemade Potato Rolls, or a fresh green salad, for a complete and comforting meal that will leave everyone craving more. This isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience, a taste of genuine Southern hospitality that’s surprisingly easy to achieve in your own kitchen.

🥘 What’s in This Amazing Jambalaya?

Our traditional Jambalaya recipe relies on a combination of flavorful meats, fresh vegetables, and the perfect blend of rice and seasonings to create its iconic taste. Here’s a detailed look at the core ingredients that make this dish so special:

• Chicken Breasts: We call for about 3 pounds of chicken breasts, which cook up tender and juicy, absorbing all the wonderful flavors of the broth and spices. For a fantastic shortcut, a shredded rotisserie chicken works beautifully and significantly cuts down on prep time without sacrificing flavor.
• Ground Sausage (Jimmy Dean Sage variety): The savory, slightly herby notes of sage sausage add a layer of complexity and richness that is truly essential to this jambalaya. Its fat renders down to create a foundational flavor base for the dish.
• Beef Smoked Sausage (Hillshire Farm): The smoked sausage brings a delightful smoky depth and a firmer texture that contrasts wonderfully with the ground sausage and tender chicken. Slicing and dicing it allows for even distribution of its distinct flavor throughout the dish.
• Celery: A crucial part of the “holy trinity” of Cajun and Creole cooking (though we focus on celery and onions in this version), diced celery adds a subtle peppery note and a pleasant texture. Don’t discard the tops – they’re used to flavor the chicken broth!
• Green Onions: Providing a fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of color, green onions are added towards the end of cooking to maintain their vibrant taste and slightly crisp texture.
• Uncle Ben’s Long Grain and Wild Rice: This specific blend, including its spice packet, adds a unique aromatic quality and slightly different texture profile to the dish, enhancing the overall rice component. Its pre-portioned seasoning makes it a convenient and flavorful addition.
• Long-grain White Rice: The staple of any good jambalaya, long-grain white rice cooks up light and fluffy, perfectly absorbing the rich broth and flavors from the meats and vegetables.
• Better than Bouillon (chicken): For a deep, rich chicken flavor that surpasses typical bouillon cubes, we recommend Better than Bouillon. It’s concentrated and dissolves easily, providing a robust base for your broth.
• Cavender’s Seasoning: A Greek-inspired blend, Cavender’s adds an unexpected but incredibly delicious savory and earthy note, contributing to the unique character of this jambalaya. It’s a secret weapon for many Southern cooks!
• Cayenne Pepper: This is where you control the heat! Cayenne pepper gives the jambalaya its signature spicy kick. Start with our recommended amount and adjust to your personal preference for a mild warmth or a fiery blaze.

⭐ Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Jambalaya Recipe

There are countless reasons why this particular Jambalaya recipe stands out and earns its title as “The Best.” It’s more than just a meal; it’s an experience:

• Unmatched Flavor Balance: This recipe achieves a beautiful harmony between the savory meats, the gentle sweetness of the cooked vegetables, and the aromatic spices. No single ingredient overpowers the others; instead, they meld together seamlessly, creating a complex and deeply satisfying flavor profile that is utterly addictive.
• Customizable Spice Level: The heat from the cayenne pepper and the inherent spice in your chosen sausages allows for full customization. Whether you prefer a mild warmth that lingers on the palate or a bold, fiery kick that awakens your senses, you can adjust it perfectly to your taste. This adaptability makes it a dish everyone at your table can enjoy.
• Hearty and Fulfilling: Packed with generous amounts of chicken and two types of sausage, plus plenty of rice and vegetables, this jambalaya is incredibly satisfying. It’s a complete meal in one pot, designed to nourish and comfort, making it perfect for a chilly evening or a post-holiday gathering.
• Feeds a Crowd Effortlessly: One of the biggest advantages of this recipe is its generous yield. It’s perfect for large family dinners, parties, or when you simply want to ensure you have delicious leftovers for lunches throughout the week. Making a large batch means less cooking later and more time enjoying!
• Authentic Southern Comfort: This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a taste of genuine Southern tradition. Rooted in family heritage, it embodies the warmth, generosity, and rich culinary history of Louisiana. Every spoonful transports you to a place where good food and good company go hand-in-hand.
• Versatile Pairing Options: While delicious on its own, this jambalaya pairs wonderfully with simple sides. Try serving it alongside oven-roasted Brussels Sprouts for a fresh, earthy contrast, or a classic Crunchy Cole Slaw to add a cool, creamy element that complements the rich flavors.

Once you try this recipe, you’ll understand why it’s a beloved staple and why it will quickly become a go-to in your family’s meal rotation.

✨ Mastering Jambalaya: Pro Tips and Hacks

⏲️ Time-Saving Tip

While cooking chicken breasts from scratch yields a wonderfully flavorful broth, we all appreciate a good shortcut! The chicken is typically cooked quickly in your large stockpot with celery to infuse it with flavor. However, for a significant time-saver, consider purchasing a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from your local grocery store. Simply remove the skin and bones, dice the cooked chicken meat, and you’re ready to go! This hack shaves off valuable prep and cooking time, letting you enjoy your jambalaya even sooner.

Additional Time-Saving Hacks:

• Prep Ahead: Dice your celery and green onions a day in advance and store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
• Sausage Prep: Slice and dice your smoked sausage ahead of time.
• Broth Ready: Have your chicken broth pre-measured and ready to add to the pot.

🍚 The Crucial Steaming Phase for Perfect Rice

Perhaps the most important, yet often overlooked, step in achieving a truly perfect pot of jambalaya is allowing ample time for the ingredients to steam after cooking. This resting period is critical for several reasons:

This dedicated steaming time does wonders for your dish. It allows the rice to fully absorb the remaining liquid, ensuring every grain is perfectly cooked, fluffy, and tender – not mushy, not crunchy. More importantly, it gives all the individual flavors of the chicken, sausages, vegetables, and spices the opportunity to truly combine and deepen, transforming into the cohesive, rich taste that defines exceptional jambalaya. The patience here truly pays off!

💭 Common Jambalaya Questions Answered

⭐ The Heart Behind the Dish: A Family Recipe

There’s something truly special about recipes that carry a strong connection to a specific region or a cherished family history. They often taste better, imbued with the stories and traditions of those who’ve perfected them over generations. I’m incredibly proud to share that this recipe for the best jambalaya comes directly from my sister-in-law’s family, who boast deep, long-standing roots in Louisiana.

This isn’t just any jambalaya; it’s the kind you find at lively family gatherings, brimming with laughter and love. For years, I’ve had the immense pleasure of enjoying this exact jambalaya at countless family events, each time marveling at its comforting familiarity and rich, authentic flavors. Now, it’s my turn to pass on this culinary treasure to you, inviting you to create your own cherished memories around a pot of this incredible Southern classic. It’s a true testament to the power of food to bring people together and celebrate heritage.

🍽 More Southern Comfort Food Delights

Jambalaya embodies the spirit of Southern comfort food – hearty, flavorful, and designed to bring people together. But Louisiana cuisine, and Southern cooking in general, is rich with diverse takes on this beloved favorite. Some traditions might incorporate shrimp for a delicious seafood twist, others might use a very unique mix of regional spices, or perhaps different varieties of rice to alter the texture.

Whatever the specific combination, each version is a time-honored reflection of family traditions and local flavors, always delivering comfort food at its absolute best. The beauty lies in its adaptability and the stories each variation tells.

It’s truly a thrill when someone shares their special family recipe, opening a window into their culinary heritage. A heartfelt thank you goes out to Jack and MeMe Owen for generously sharing their delicious and authentic jambalaya recipe with the Crinkled Cookbook community!

📋 Other Dinner Ideas Featuring Chicken

If you loved this chicken-and-sausage-packed Jambalaya, you’ll appreciate these other fantastic dinner ideas, all featuring chicken as one of their main ingredients. They’re perfect for satisfying meals any night of the week!

• Skillet Chicken Tacos: These tacos bring familiar Mexican spices to tender chicken, served with crunchy cabbage, fresh cilantro, and a refreshing squeeze of lime juice. So good and incredibly easy!
• Tamale Casserole: Enjoy all the delicious flavors of your favorite tamales without all the work. This casserole is ready to eat in much less time, making it a perfect weeknight comfort meal.
• Pot Pie: Talk about ultimate comfort food! Whether you opt for chicken or turkey, this creamy, flaky-crusted pot pie recipe is an absolute winner, winner chicken dinner!
• Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese: While not strictly a chicken dish, this creamy and satisfying combination of roasted butternut squash, rich cheese, and tender pasta is a comforting side or main course that pairs well with simple chicken additions.

👩🏻‍🍳 Try More Chicken Recipes

Looking for even more ways to enjoy chicken? Explore these tempting recipes that highlight chicken in various delightful preparations.

If you tried The Best Jambalaya or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Your feedback helps!

📖 The Best Jambalaya Recipe Card

The Best Jambalaya

The Best Jambalaya is a flavorful, vibrant dish that originates from Louisiana. It includes tender chicken, spicy sausage and a combination of perfectly steamed rice, onions and celery. This recipe makes enough to feed a crowd!

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4.99 from 56 votes

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Prep Time:
30 minutes

Cook Time:
1 hour

Servings:
12 people

Calories:
643 kcal

Author:
Melinda O’Malley Keckler

Ingredients

Adjust Servings:

• 6 chicken breasts – about 3 lbs or use one rotisserie chicken
• 8 cups water – enough to cover the chicken
• 2 pounds ground sausage – Jimmy Dean Sage variety
• 1, 12 ounce beef smoked sausage – sliced and diced (Hillshire Farm, Beef Smoked Sausage)
• 8 stalks celery – diced, about 3 ½ cups, but save the tops
• 2 bunches green onions – diced – about 10 green onions or 2 cups
• 1, 6 ounce box Uncle Ben’s Long Grain and Wild Rice – Including the spice packet
• 2 ½ cups long grain white rice
• 6 ½ cups chicken broth – (I recommend Better than Bouillon, chicken flavor)
• Cavender’s seasoning – to taste, about 1 teaspoon to start
• Cayenne pepper – to taste – about ½ teaspoon to start

Instructions

Cook and Dice Chicken

1. Place chicken breasts, 8 cups of water, and celery tops in a large stockpot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through. Drain off the water, reserving a small amount of broth if desired for later.
2. Alternatively, if using a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, simply remove the skin and bones from the cooked chicken.
3. Dice the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and set aside.

Cook Sausage and Veggies

4. In the same stockpot (no need to clean), cook the ground sausage over medium heat, breaking it up as it browns. Once cooked, drain off any excess fat and set the sausage aside.
5. Add a little olive oil or butter to the stockpot, then brown the sliced and diced beef smoked sausage for a few minutes until lightly caramelized.
6. Add the diced celery (not the tops) and diced green onions to the pot with the smoked sausage. Cook until the vegetables are slightly softened, about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Combine All Ingredients, Simmer & Steam

7. Return the cooked diced chicken and ground sausage to the stockpot with the softened vegetables and smoked sausage.
8. Add all the remaining ingredients: Uncle Ben’s Long Grain and Wild Rice (including its spice packet), long-grain white rice, chicken broth, Cavender’s seasoning, and cayenne pepper. Stir well to combine everything.
9. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot tightly, and let it simmer for about 45 minutes. Avoid lifting the lid during this time.
10. After 45 minutes, remove the pot from the heat, but keep it covered. Allow the jambalaya to steam undisturbed for at least 15 minutes. This crucial step ensures the rice finishes cooking perfectly and all the flavors meld beautifully.

Serve

11. Fluff the jambalaya with a fork and serve immediately. This recipe generously serves 10-12 people, so plan to enjoy plenty of delicious leftovers for several days!

Leftovers

12. For warming up leftovers, I find the best method is to place the jambalaya in a 13″ x 9″ glass baking dish, cover it tightly with foil, and let it slowly heat up in a 325°F (160°C) oven for about 45 minutes. This helps prevent the rice from drying out.

Notes

Pro Tip: As mentioned in the instructions, after everything has simmered for about 45 minutes, be sure to allow plenty of time with the heat turned off – at least 15 minutes – for the jambalaya to steam while covered. This is key for perfectly cooked rice and melded flavors. Serve with Mixed Bean Salad for an incredible flavor combination.

Nutrition Information

Please note, the nutrition details provided below are estimated using a food database and are intended as a rough guide, not an exact scientific measurement. Values may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Calories: 643 kcal
Carbohydrates: 43g
Protein: 44g
Fat: 31g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 147mg
Sodium: 1331mg
Potassium: 878mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 1g
Vitamin A: 123IU
Vitamin C: 11mg
Calcium: 43mg
Iron: 2mg

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