This chicken jambalaya recipe is a classic Southern one-pot meal made with tender chicken, rice, vegetables, and bold Cajun spices for a hearty and flavorful dinner.
Author:Emily
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:30 minutes
Total Time:45 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Main Course
Method:One Pot
Cuisine:Southern
Diet:Halal
Ingredients
Scale
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lb boneless chicken thighs or chicken breast, diced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup long-grain white rice
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 cup canned diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
1 bay leaf
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Add chicken and cook until lightly browned, then remove and set aside.
Add onion, bell pepper, and celery to the pot and sauté until softened.
Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add rice, paprika, thyme, cayenne, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat the rice.
Return chicken to the pot and mix well.
Pour in chicken broth and diced tomatoes, stirring to combine.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20–25 minutes until rice is tender.
Remove bay leaf, let rest for 5 minutes, then fluff and serve.
Notes
Chicken thighs stay more tender than breast meat.
Use long-grain rice to avoid a mushy texture.
Adjust spice levels to your preference.
Let the dish rest briefly before serving for best texture.