Description
Alton Brown’s jambalaya showcases Louisiana’s culinary heritage with bold, spicy flavors and rich ingredients. Hearty rice, andouille sausage, and tender chicken create a memorable meal you’ll savor until the last bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 10 oz (284 g) andouille sausage, sliced into rounds
- 1 ¼ cups white rice, uncooked
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 (16 oz/454 g) can crushed Italian tomatoes
- 2 tbsps peanut oil, divided
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp file powder
- 2 tsps Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp hot pepper sauce
Instructions
- Seasoning and Searing: Generously coat chicken and sausage with Cajun seasoning. Heat peanut oil in a Dutch oven and sear sausage until golden and crispy, then set aside. Repeat process with chicken pieces, achieving a light golden-brown exterior.
- Vegetable Foundation: In the same pan, sauté minced garlic, onions, bell peppers, and celery until vegetables become translucent and release their aromatic essence. Introduce crushed tomatoes and a complex blend of seasonings including salt, filé powder, Worcestershire sauce, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and hot pepper sauce.
- Flavor Melding: Return sausage and chicken to the vibrant sauce, allowing ingredients to gently simmer for 10 minutes. This process helps develop a rich, layered flavor profile and partially cooks the proteins.
- Rice Integration: Pour in chicken broth and long-grain rice, stirring to ensure even distribution of ingredients. Bring the jambalaya to a robust boil, then immediately reduce heat and cover.
- Final Cooking: Simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until rice completely absorbs the liquid and reaches a tender, fluffy consistency. Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving to allow flavors to fully integrate.
Notes
- Sear for Maximum Flavor: Create a golden-brown crust on sausage and chicken to develop deep, rich caramelized notes that enhance the overall taste profile.
- Vegetable Timing Matters: Sauté vegetables until translucent to release natural sugars and create a robust aromatic base without burning or overcooking.
- Seasoning Balance is Key: Layer Cajun seasoning, spices, and herbs gradually to build complex, harmonious flavors that define authentic jambalaya.
- Rice Absorption Technique: Allow rice to simmer covered, absorbing all liquid completely for perfectly tender grains and integrated ingredients.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg