Description
This Slow Cooker Jambalaya is a flavorful and hearty Cajun rice dish combining tender chicken, smoky andouille sausage, and succulent shrimp with vibrant vegetables and spices. Perfect for an easy, hands-off meal, this recipe lets the slow cooker do the work, delivering a comforting and well-balanced meal bursting with southern charm and robust flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seafood
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz andouille sausage, sliced
- 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
Vegetables
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Canned Goods
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth, plus extra if needed
Dry Ingredients and Spices
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Place the chicken thighs, andouille sausage, diced tomatoes with their juice, chopped bell pepper, onion, celery, minced garlic, chicken broth, dried thyme, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper into the slow cooker. Stir everything together well to combine all flavors evenly.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook the mixture on low heat for 4 to 5 hours, or on high for 2 to 3 hours until the chicken is tender and the flavors have melded together.
- Add Rice and Shrimp: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the uncooked white rice and raw shrimp. Cover again and continue cooking until the rice is fully tender and the shrimp are cooked through, approximately 25 to 30 minutes. If the jambalaya becomes too thick during this step, add a little extra chicken broth to loosen the consistency.
- Finish and Garnish: Once cooked, fluff the jambalaya gently with a fork to separate the rice and ingredients. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top as a garnish and serve hot.
Notes
- For a spicier jambalaya, increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add a dash of your preferred hot sauce.
- Using frozen shrimp and pre-chopped vegetables can save preparation time and make the recipe even easier.
- If you prefer a different variety of rice, adjust cooking times accordingly as some types may require longer.
- Adjust salt and seasoning to taste before serving if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 1 1/4 cups)
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 870 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 170 mg
