This Ina Garten Jambalaya is a bold and flavorful one-pot recipe, which includes chicken thighs and shrimp with Cajun spices. It’s a classic, foolproof recipe, ready in about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Jump to RecipeIna Garten Jambalaya Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 pound Andouille sausage, sliced
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1½ teaspoons paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2½ cups chicken broth
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Chopped parsley, for garnish
- Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

How To Make Ina Garten Jambalaya
- Sear the chicken and sausage: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown chicken for 5–6 minutes, then remove. Add sausage slices, brown for 3–4 minutes, and set aside.
- Sauté the vegetables: Add onion, bell peppers, and celery to the same pot. Cook for 6–8 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Add spices and tomatoes: Stir in paprika, cayenne, oregano, and thyme. Add diced tomatoes with juice and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add rice and broth: Mix in uncooked rice and chicken broth. Return chicken and sausage to the pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20–25 minutes until rice is tender.
- Add shrimp: Stir in shrimp, cover, and cook 5–7 more minutes until shrimp are pink and cooked through.
- Finish and serve: Taste and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley and optional lemon wedges.
Recipe Tips
- Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs? Yes, but thighs stay more tender and juicy.
- How to make it less spicy: Reduce or skip the cayenne pepper.
- Can I make it ahead of time? Yes, reheat gently and add a splash of broth if needed.
- Best rice to use? Long-grain white rice works best; avoid instant rice.
- How to avoid mushy shrimp: Add shrimp only at the end and avoid overcooking.

What To Serve With Jambalaya
This hearty dish is complete on its own but pairs well with:
- Cornbread or crusty French bread
- Simple green salad
- Garlic butter green beans
- Coleslaw
- Sautéed okra
How To Store Jambalaya
Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or microwave.
Freeze: Freeze in individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat thoroughly.
Jambalaya Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 of 6 servings
- Calories: ~480
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Cholesterol: 180mg
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Iron: 3mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and preparation.
FAQs
Can I make this without shrimp?
Yes, simply omit the shrimp or substitute with scallops or extra sausage.
Can I make it in a slow cooker?
Partially—cook meat and veggies first, then transfer to the crock pot with rice and broth.
Is this dish gluten-free?
Yes, if using gluten-free sausage and broth.
Can I use brown rice instead?
Yes, but it requires longer cooking and extra broth.
How do I make it vegetarian?
Use plant-based sausage and skip the chicken/shrimp. Sub in extra vegetables and use vegetable broth.
Try More Recipes:
- Ina Garten Mussels With Basil Breadcrumbs Recipe
- Ina Garten Chicken With Goat Cheese And Basil Recipe
- Ina Garten Eggplant Lasagna Recipe
Ina Garten Jambalaya Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy6
servings15
minutes55
minutes480
kcalA bold, flavorful one-pot jambalaya with chicken, sausage, shrimp, and Cajun-seasoned rice.
Ingredients
-
2 Tbsp olive oil
-
1 lb chicken thighs
-
1 lb Andouille sausage
-
1 onion, chopped
-
1 red and 1 green bell pepper, chopped
-
2 celery stalks
-
3 garlic cloves
-
Spices: paprika, cayenne, oregano, thyme
-
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
-
1 cup white rice
-
2.5 cups chicken broth
-
1 lb shrimp
-
Salt, pepper, parsley, lemon wedges
Directions
- Sear chicken and sausage; set aside.
- Sauté onion, peppers, and celery. Add garlic.
- Stir in spices and tomatoes.
- Add rice, broth, and meats. Simmer 20–25 mins.
- Add shrimp; cook 5–7 more mins.
- Season and serve with parsley and lemon.
