Easy Crockpot Jambalaya with Instant Rice
Servings: 10 Servings
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 pound andouille sausage sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes undrained
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 celery stalks thinly sliced
- 1 medium white onion chopped
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 ½ cups instant white rice
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Add the chicken, sausage, diced tomatoes with their juices, chicken broth, celery, onion, bell pepper, oregano, Cajun seasoning, minced garlic, bay leaves, thyme, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, 1 pound andouille sausage, 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 3 celery stalks, 1 medium white onion, 1 green bell pepper, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, 2 bay leaves, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Cover and cook on low for 4 ½ to 5 ½ hours or high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. The chicken should reach 165°F when checked with an instant-read thermometer.
- Remove and discard the bay leaves. Stir in the shrimp, cover, and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, just until the shrimp are pink and opaque.1 pound large shrimp
- Stir in the instant rice. Cover and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, then check the texture. If the rice is still firm or there’s extra liquid in the slow cooker, continue cooking in 5-minute increments until the rice is tender.1 ½ cups instant white rice
- Turn off the slow cooker and let the jambalaya sit, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes. The rice will continue to soften and absorb the broth as it rests.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
Notes
- Slow cooker timing: Slow cookers don’t all heat the same way. Some run hot and finish closer to the low end of the range, while others need the full time. Start checking early if you know yours cooks fast.
- Browning the meat (optional): Browning the chicken and sausage first is a great way to add extra flavor. The chicken doesn’t need to cook all the way through. Just give the meat a little color, then transfer it to the slow cooker.
- Rice: I like instant rice best because it cooks quickly at the end. Different brands absorb liquid differently, so check the texture before serving. The rice should be tender, not crunchy, and most of the broth should be absorbed.
- Shrimp: Add the shrimp near the end so it doesn’t turn rubbery. It’s done when it turns pink and opaque. Use peeled and deveined shrimp, and make sure it’s completely thawed.
- Seasoning: Cajun seasoning varies a lot by brand. Some are salty, some are spicy, and some are both. I’d start with the amount listed, especially with andouille in the mix, then adjust future batches if needed.
- Storage and reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat over low heat on the stovetop with a splash of broth or water to loosen the rice. I don’t recommend freezing this one since the rice and shrimp can get mushy after thawing.
Nutrition Facts
Easy Crockpot Jambalaya with Instant Rice
Serving Size
1.5 cups
Amount per Serving
Calories
315
% Daily Value*
Fat
15
g
23
%
Saturated Fat
4
g
20
%
Trans Fat
0.1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
3
g
Monounsaturated Fat
6
g
Cholesterol
125
mg
42
%
Sodium
926
mg
39
%
Potassium
641
mg
18
%
Carbohydrates
18
g
6
%
Fiber
2
g
8
%
Sugar
3
g
3
%
Protein
27
g
54
%
Vitamin A
704
IU
14
%
Vitamin C
19
mg
23
%
Calcium
78
mg
8
%
Iron
3
mg
17
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
