Easy One Pot Cajun Jambalaya Comfort Food Recipe
You won’t believe how amazing this easy one pot cajun jambalaya comfort food recipe is!
It is the perfect meal for busy weeknights and also great for serving a large crowd.
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About 15 years ago, my husband and I went on a snow skiing trip to Colorado with some friends.
One night of the trip, one of the couples made the most delicious jambalaya and was gracious enough to share the recipe.
I love making this during the winter months.
It is so yummy, and is the perfect one-pot meal for chilly weather.
It is delicious, easy to make and very filling.
I typically pair it with a side salad and my favorite beer bread recipe, but it makes a complete meal all on its own.
what is jambalaya?
If you’re wondering what jambalaya is, it is similar to a gumbo.
They are both classic Louisiana Cajun dishes.
The main difference is the use of rice and the consistency.
A gumbo has more liquid than rice and the gumbo is typically served over rice instead of it being a part of the gumbo.
Jambalaya is a thicker consistency because the rice is made into the recipe.
There are so many variations of jambalaya and its ingredients.
Some of the typical ingredients are different types of protein including shrimp, crawfish, chicken, pork and sausage.
Also, the “holy trinity” is often included in a jambalaya recipe. This term refers to onion, celery and bell peppers which are sometimes key ingredients in Cajun cuisine.
ingredients for easy one pot jambalaya
rotisserie chicken or cooked chicken breast (cut into small pieces)
1 can cream of celery soup
1 can french onion soup
2 cups white rice, uncooked
1 can rotel tomatoes
3 cups water or chicken stock
2 teaspoons cajun or creole seasoning
1-2 bay leaves (optional)
1 package Eckridge sausage
1 cup shrimp, optional
directions for making cajun jambalaya
Add all ingredients to large pot and cook on medium heat until rice is fully cooked and shrimp (if you are adding shrimp) is done.
I like to simmer for at least an hour so all ingredients and flavors mix together well.
You will probably want to add more liquid as it simmers, because it will become thick.
Be sure and stir often so it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan as it thickens.
Add more water or chicken broth, as needed.
Tip: The first time I made this recipe, I added 3 cups of rice instead of 2, because I like rice.
This was a mistake because the jambalaya was way too thick and the rice overpowered the other ingredients.
Easy One Pot Cajun Jambalaya
Ingredients
- 1 rotisserie chicken or cooked chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces
- 1 can cream of celery soup
- 1 can french onion soup
- 1 can Rotel tomatoes
- 2 cups white rice
- 3 cups chicken broth or water I use 1/2 and 1/2
- 2 teaspoons cajun or creole seasoning can add more to taste
- 1/2 package Eckridge sausage (1 full sausage piece cut into bite size pieces) optional
- 1 cup shrimp optional
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a large pot and cook on medium heat until rice and shrimp (if you are using shrimp) is fully cooked.
- Simmer for at least an hour so all the flavors mix together well.
- You will want to add more liquid as it simmers, because as the rice cooks, it will thicken. You can add more chicken stock or water.
- Be sure and stir often so it doesn't stick to the bottom of your pot.
Notes
more tips for this easy jambalaya recipe
This recipe calls for either water or chicken broth, and I typically use 1/2 chicken broth and 1/2 water, to start.
Then as I need to add liquid, I use chicken broth, but this is totally up to you.
You can make this soup as thick or thin as you want by adding more or less water or broth.
You can use either mild or hot rotel tomatoes, just depending on how hot and spicy you like your jambalaya.
If you like spicy food, you can use a spicy sausage.
Of course, you can also add cayenne pepper with the cajun spices or top with your favorite hot sauce.
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons cajun seasoning, but certainly add more if you prefer. I would recommend starting with 2 teaspoons, then do a taste test.
This recipe suggests chicken, sausage and shrimp. Feel free to use a combination of any of these you like. I like to use a little of all three.
You can cook boneless skinless chicken breasts to use in this recipe or buy a rotisserie chicken. I like to use the rotisserie chicken because it makes the recipe that much easier.
You could also use brown rice instead of white, if you prefer.
I haven’t tried this recipe in a slow cooker, but I think it would work great and I may try that the next time I make it.
You could add all ingredients in the morning and cook on low all day. Then, this easy one-pot meal is even more simple.
The best part is it makes a lot and you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
This is the perfect one-pot dish if you are serving a large group and want to keep it simple.
It would be the best recipe to serve if you are hosting a Mardi Gras party!
I hope you enjoyed this easy one pot cajun jambalaya comfort food recipe.
I would love to hear it you try it!
blessings,
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This looks delicious Michele!
Thanks Amy! We love it and it is so easy to make!
Omgoodness this looks so easy to make! Pinned for cooking later!
I hope you love it as much as we do Cindy! So easy to make and so yummy!