Make Ahead

Big Fun on the Bayou Jambalaya

by:
May 13, 2010
4
3 Ratings
Big Fun on the Bayou Jambalaya
  • Serves 8 or more
Author Notes

There are endless variations to jambalaya... shrimp, crab, boudin, andouille, chicken, duck... heck, even alligator. One of the biggest variations is whether you make it "red", which is Creole style, by adding tomato, or brown, which is more Cajun, by simply using the stock. I prefer the red, but you can't go wrong either way. A critical step is to make sure you have appropriate music playing while you prepare the dish... i'd recommend Professor Longhair's "Rock & Roll Gumbo", but the Neville Brothers "Yellow Moon" would be fine as well. —saenyc

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • Jambalaya
  • 1 pound boneless chicken thighs, diced
  • 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1.5 pounds andouille, sliced (can substitute smoked sausage if necessary)
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 4 stalks celery, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons garlic, chopped
  • 2 6 oz. cans tomato paste
  • 1 28 oz can of tomatoes (diced)
  • 8 cups stock (i like to mix chicken and beef, but it's up to you)
  • 3 tablespoons creole seasoning (see below or use something like Tony Chachere's or Emeril's)
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2-3 bay leaves
  • 4 cups long-grain white rice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, minced
  • Creole Seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
Directions
  1. Season the diced chicken thighs with some of creole seasoning.
  2. In a large pot, saute the andouille for several minutes, until they release a nice amount of fat. Remove andouille and set aside.
  3. Brown the chicken in the andouille fat, until it takes on a nice dark color. Remove from pan and set aside with andouille.
  4. Add onion, celery, bell pepper and garlic and saute for two minutes.
  5. Add tomato paste and stir rapidly to combine. Saute for several more minutes until the onions become translucent and the tomato paste takes on a darker, richer color.
  6. Add two cups of the stock and stir thoroughly, making sure to scrap up any carmelized goodness.
  7. Add the can of tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce and bay leaves.
  8. Add another teaspoon of the creole seasoning, mix well and let simmer for five minutes.
  9. Add chicken and andouille, mix well and let simmer for another five minutes.
  10. Add shrimp, parsley and the rest of the stock. Repeat the drill for five more minutes. Taste for seasoning.
  11. Add rice, and combine thoroughly. Cook for about 20-30 minutes until all liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender.
  12. If rice is done and liquid remains, keep on low for another 5 minutes until jambalaya has thickened up.
  13. Remove bay leaf.
  14. That's it. Laissez les bon temps rouler!
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  • Suma Chandrasekaran
    Suma Chandrasekaran
  • drbabs
    drbabs
  • aargersi
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  • saenyc
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6 Reviews

Suma C.
Suma C. December 4, 2018
a very forgiving recipe! Could probably have served 12 as written above.
 
Cyberbyrd
Cyberbyrd February 25, 2012
Just made this for my husband who was born in New Orleans. His daddy makes a great jambalaya, but my husband loved this! Very easy, very spicy, very delicious. One note ..... I cut the recipe in half and still could have served 8 people! I listened to a little Waylon Thibodeaux - Cajun Festival while cooking!
 
everblessed
everblessed October 31, 2011
Just made this last night...minus the tomato paste and divided the sausage so I could start the rice sooner because I was pan frying whole chicken thighs (trimmed of skin, still bone in) to shred into the mix after cooked. Also waited until the last 10 minutes to throw in the shrimp to keep them tender...Delicious!!! Thanks for helping me be able to cook for my locale!
 
drbabs
drbabs May 14, 2010
Totally great--I hear Mary Chapin Carpenter's "Come on over to the Twist & Shout" ...great authentic recipe....Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans?...
 
aargersi
aargersi May 14, 2010
This picture / recipe is making me drool like Pavlov's Creole Hound :-) Cooking the chicken in the andouille drippings is super smart. I would listen to The Subdudes or perhaps Mingo Fishtrap!
 
saenyc
saenyc May 14, 2010
Love the Subdudes! And yes, Dr Babs, I miss New Orleans... didn't make it to Jazz Fest this year. There's always next year though!