Spicy Cajun Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya

SueVM's Note:

I found this recipe in a Mr. Foods magazine and it has become a family favorite. Do use a spicy sausage for this dish as I have found using just plain pork sausage meat does not work as well.

• Total Time: 1 hrs
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick)
• 1 onion, coarsely chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped
• 3 celery ribs, coarsely chopped
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 lbs shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 2 (28 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1 -3 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, to taste
• 1/2 lb precooked spicy andouille sausage, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1/2 lb smoked ham, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1/2 lb crawfish, peeled (optional)
• 1 bunch scallion, coarsely chopped
• 2 pinches salt (or to taste)
• 3 cups uncooked long-grain white rice

Directions:

1. In a large pot melt butter over medium-high heat.
2. Add onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic and saute 5 minutes stirring often.
3. Add shrimp, chicken bay leaves and thyme. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 10 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink inside and the shrimp is opaque.
4. Stir in paprika until thoroughly mixed with other ingredients.
5. Stir in tomatoes, chicken broth, worcestershire sauce and hot sauce until well mixed.
6. Add sausage and ham stirring well. Add crawfish (if using) and cook over medium-high heat until the liquid returns to a boil.
7. Stir in scallions, salt and rice. Reduce heat to low, cover with lid and cook 30 minutes or until the rice is tender.
8. Serve with fresh crusty french bread.

Reviews

[Karen Elizabeth]

I love jambalaya, total comfort food in one pan! I didn't use the seafood because the girls were eating, and I added the hot pepper sauce separately to our plates (DH and I), but otherwise an excellent jambalaya. I made the full amount, which guaranteed me a good lunch today and I know DH is also enjoying it at home! You just cant go wrong with jambalaya, one of the few 'exotic' dishes my mother (an unenthusiastic cook) ever mastered, possibly why I enjoy it so! Made for Family Picks, ZWT5, Jammin' Java Jivers

[Sydney Mike]

Must admit that not only have I never made jambalaya but I've never tasted it before either, & the misfortune is totally my own ~ Loved the taste of this dish, & thoroughly enjoyed its preparation, too! This was one of those recipe that I followed right on down & then ended up sharing with two sets of neighbors who were wondering what all the activity was all about! EVERYONE ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! The one thing I held back on (using only the minimum indicated) was the hot pepper sauce, but that's just my heat-intolerance showing! Thank you for sharing a great recipe! [Tagged, made & reviewed while enjoying the Cajun atmosphere in New Orleans during ZWT5]

[lazy gourmet]

Wow, this was great. The smell in the house was worth five stars alone! I used less shrimp than called for and more chicken just out of personal preference and some oregano and cayenne pepper too. I halved the recipe and still came out with way more than we could eat. This is a keeper, thanks for posting!