Creole Jambalaya with Chicken (Printable Version)

A vibrant Creole dish with chicken, halal sausage, vegetables, and spices simmered in a rich tomato sauce.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 14 oz boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 3/4 inch pieces
02 - 9 oz halal smoked sausage, sliced into 1/2 inch rounds

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
04 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 14 oz canned diced tomatoes with juice

→ Rice & Broth

08 - 1.5 cups long-grain rice, rinsed
09 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth, halal-certified

→ Spices & Seasonings

10 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
11 - 2 tsp paprika
12 - 1 tsp dried thyme
13 - 1 tsp dried oregano
14 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
15 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
16 - 1 tsp salt
17 - 2 bay leaves
18 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
19 - 2 spring onions, sliced

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Remove and set aside.
02 - Add sausage slices to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside with the chicken.
03 - In the same pan, add onion, bell pepper, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
04 - Stir in paprika, thyme, oregano, cayenne, black pepper, and salt. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Add diced tomatoes with juice, browned chicken, sausage, and bay leaves. Mix well to combine.
06 - Pour in rice and chicken broth. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
07 - Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
08 - Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Discard bay leaves. Fluff with a fork, stir in fresh parsley, and garnish with additional parsley and sliced spring onions.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • One pot means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor development as everything simmers together
  • The halal smoked sausage brings incredible depth without compromising dietary requirements
02 -
  • Resist the urge to lift the lid too frequently during simmering or the rice will cook unevenly
  • The resting period after cooking is essential for final texture development
03 -
  • Toast your rice in the spices for 2 minutes before adding liquid for nuttier depth
  • Make it a day ahead, the flavors develop incredibly overnight