Why Make This Recipe
Slow Cooker Chicken Jambalaya is a delicious and hearty meal that’s perfect for busy days. With its blend of chicken, vegetables, and rice, this dish captures the flavors of Louisiana cuisine in a simple form. It’s great for families and gatherings, and the slow cooker makes it easy to prepare without constant attention. Just set it and forget it until mealtime!
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Jambalaya
Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup sliced green onions
- 1 cup cooked andouille sausage (optional)
Directions:
- In the slow cooker, combine the chicken, onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, diced tomatoes, rice, chicken broth, cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Stir everything to mix well.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.
- If using, stir in the cooked andouille sausage during the last hour of cooking.
- Before serving, mix in the sliced green onions for freshness.
- Serve hot and enjoy your jambalaya!
How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Jambalaya
Serve your Chicken Jambalaya hot, garnished with extra green onions for color. It pairs well with a simple green salad or some crusty bread. For a complete meal, you can also offer a side of corn or beans.
How to Store Slow Cooker Chicken Jambalaya
If you have leftovers, allow the jambalaya to cool and then store it in airtight containers in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for about 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and warm it up on the stove or in the microwave.
Tips to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Jambalaya
- Make sure to cut the chicken thighs into even pieces for uniform cooking.
- Adjust the level of cajun seasoning to match your spice preference.
- If you want, you can add other vegetables like zucchini or okra for extra flavor and texture.
- For a quicker cooking time, you can use brown rice, but you will need to adjust the liquid and cooking time.
Variation
You can easily swap out the chicken for shrimp or sausage, or even make it vegetarian by using beans and extra veggies instead. Feel free to experiment with different spices to create your own unique version!
FAQs
1. Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, but brown rice will take longer to cook, so you may need to increase the cooking time and the amount of liquid.
2. Can I prepare this recipe in advance?
Yes, you can chop all the ingredients and place them in the slow cooker the night before. Just keep it in the fridge and start cooking it in the morning.
3. What can I serve with Jambalaya?
You can serve it with a side salad, crusty bread, or cornbread. It also goes well with your favorite hot sauce for extra spice!
Slow Cooker Chicken Jambalaya
- Total Time: 285 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Contains Meat
Description
A delicious and hearty meal featuring chicken, vegetables, and rice, capturing the flavors of Louisiana cuisine.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup sliced green onions
- 1 cup cooked andouille sausage (optional)
Instructions
- In the slow cooker, combine the chicken, onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, diced tomatoes, rice, chicken broth, cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Stir everything to mix well.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.
- If using, stir in the cooked andouille sausage during the last hour of cooking.
- Before serving, mix in the sliced green onions for freshness.
- Serve hot and enjoy your jambalaya!
Notes
Adjust the level of cajun seasoning to match your spice preference. Feel free to add other vegetables like zucchini or okra.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 270 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Louisiana
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
