Jambalaya is a bold and flavour-packed dish that brings the vibrant essence of Louisiana Creole and Cajun cuisine to your kitchen. Rooted in a rich blend of West African, French, and Spanish influences, this one-pot wonder is the perfect comfort food for anyone craving warmth and spice. With smoky andouille sausage, tender chicken, and succulent prawns, every bite is infused with deep, savoury flavours, complemented by the classic “Holy Trinity” of onion, bell pepper, and celery. Whether you’re looking for a hearty midweek meal or an impressive dish to serve at gatherings, this jambalaya delivers a satisfying balance of heat, spice, and richness.
This versatile recipe can be made effortlessly in a slow cooker for a fuss-free, set-and-forget approach or prepared on the stove for a quicker, hands-on method. The slow cooker version allows the flavours to develop over hours, creating a deeply aromatic dish, while the stove-top method gets dinner on the table in under an hour. Perfect for batch cooking and easy to store, this dish tastes even better the next day as the spices continue to meld. Whether you prefer the slow and steady method or a faster stovetop version, this jambalaya is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that transports you straight to the heart of New Orleans with every bite.
Cajun Jambalaya
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time:
Slow Cooker: 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high
Stove-Top: 45 minutes
Servings: 8-10
Ingredients
450g andouille sausage (or chorizo), sliced
450g raw king prawns, peeled and deveined
450g boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 2.5cm pieces
1 large onion, diced
2 bell peppers (any colour), diced
4 celery stalks, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
340g long-grain white rice
2 (400g) cans chopped tomatoes
950ml chicken stock
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
2 bay leaves
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
Salt & black pepper to taste
60ml fresh parsley, chopped
4 spring onions, sliced
- Homemade Cooking Made Easy: Make your family favourites with our Sear & Stew Slow Cooker, with 3 heat settings, you can sear and slow cook your food in just one pot, speeding up your cooking and cutting down on the washing-up
- 3.5L Capacity: Cook up a storm with our 3.5 litre Sear & Stew pot! Enjoy hassle-free family feasts or even just a simple single-person dinner for one at the end of a tiring day
- Sear on the Stove: The removable pot is hob proof, so you only have to use one pot from start to finish – sear and sauté any ingredients first for increased flavour, and then transfer to the slow cooker
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- Perfect for casseroles, curries, and chilli, plus soups and even desserts
- 1.8 litre capacity – ideal for small households
- Removable stoneware ceramic bowl – ideal for serving at the table and dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Last update on 2025-03-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Slow Cooker Method
1. Sauté the Sausage & Chicken (Optional) – In a frying pan over medium heat, brown the andouille sausage for a few minutes until slightly crispy. Remove and set aside. In the same pan, sear the chicken pieces until lightly golden (not fully cooked). This step adds extra flavour but is optional.
2. Assemble the Slow Cooker – Add the onions, bell peppers, celery, and garlic to the slow cooker. Then, add the browned sausage, chicken, tomatoes, chicken stock, Cajun seasoning, bay leaves, thyme, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
3. Cook – Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender.
4. Add Rice & Prawns – Stir in the rice and prawns during the last 30-40 minutes of cooking. If needed, add a little extra hot water or stock to ensure the rice cooks properly.
5. Finish & Serve – Remove bay leaves, stir in fresh parsley, and garnish with sliced spring onions before serving.
Stove-Top Method
1. Brown the Meats – Heat a large heavy-bottomed pan (or Dutch oven) over medium-high heat. Cook the sausage slices until browned, then remove and set aside. Add the chicken and cook until golden, then remove.
2. Sauté Vegetables – In the same pan, add a little oil if needed, then cook the onion, bell peppers, celery, and garlic until softened (about 5 minutes).
3. Simmer the Base – Add the diced tomatoes, chicken stock, Cajun seasoning, bay leaves, thyme, oregano, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Stir and bring to a simmer.
4. Cook the Rice – Stir in the rice, return the sausage and chicken to the pan, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add a little more water or stock if needed.
5. Add Prawns – When the rice is almost done, stir in the prawns and cook for another 5 minutes, or until they turn pink and opaque.
6. Serve – Remove bay leaves, stir in fresh parsley, and garnish with spring onions. Serve hot!
Cooking Tips:
Don’t add the shrimp until the end to prevent overcooking
For best results, use long-grain rice as it holds up better during slow cooking
Stir occasionally if possible to prevent rice from sticking to the bottom
If mixture seems too dry during cooking, add more chicken broth 1/2 cup at a time
For extra flavor, brown the sausage and chicken before adding to the slow cooker
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days
Optional Add-ins:
Okra
File powder (traditional thickening agent)
Hot sauce for extra heat
Bell peppers of different colors for visual appeal
Serve hot with:
Crusty French bread
Hot sauce on the side
Cold beer or sweet tea
This hearty, one-pot meal is perfect for feeding a crowd and gets better as the flavors meld together. The slow cooker method makes it convenient and allows the flavors to develop fully while requiring minimal hands-on time.
- Homemade Cooking Made Easy: Make your family favourites with our Sear & Stew Slow Cooker, with 3 heat settings, you can sear and slow cook your food in just one pot, speeding up your cooking and cutting down on the washing-up
- 3.5L Capacity: Cook up a storm with our 3.5 litre Sear & Stew pot! Enjoy hassle-free family feasts or even just a simple single-person dinner for one at the end of a tiring day
- Sear on the Stove: The removable pot is hob proof, so you only have to use one pot from start to finish – sear and sauté any ingredients first for increased flavour, and then transfer to the slow cooker
- Perfect for casseroles, curries, and chilli, plus soups and even desserts
- 1.8 litre capacity – ideal for small households
- Removable stoneware ceramic bowl – ideal for serving at the table and dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning
- THREE COOKING SETTINGS: With 3 different temperature settings, high, low, and auto you can gently simmer your food over an extended period on low, or switch to high and cook in half the time
- 1.5L CAPACITY: Its round shape is ideal for meat joints, stew, curries and much more for all the family
- REMOVABLE/ POT: The pot is removable from the slow cooker making it easy and quick to clean, ready to use again
- VARIABLE COOKING CONTROL – This slow cooker features 3 different heat settings – Cook at a high or low temperature or even keep already cooked food warm
- INDICATOR LIGHT – This slow cooker has an inbuilt indicator light so that you can easily see what the status is of your slow cooker
- REMOVABLE STONEWARE POT – We built this slow cooker with convenience in mind – We’ve made the stoneware pot removable for easy and mess-free cleaning
- Dishwasher-safe Ceramic Pot: The 3.5L ceramic pot is easily removable and can be placed in the dishwasher, taking away the hassle from cleaning up after a hearty midweek meal
- 3 Heat Settings: Easily switch between your choice of low, medium & high settings for a range of cooking options Warming food for parties or creating a comforting family meal with ease
- Large Capacity: With ample space to hold all your ingredients, you’ll be free to create more elaborate dishes in one go – reducing time spent in the kitchen without compromising on quality cuisine
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Last update on 2025-03-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API