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Easy Budget Jambalaya Recipe

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A quick, affordable, and hearty jambalaya recipe that feeds 8 people for under $15, using simple pantry staples and budget-friendly ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, diced
  • 12 oz smoked sausage or andouille-style sausage, sliced
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups long-grain white rice
  • 4 cups chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with juice
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil or olive oil
  • Optional: 1 bay leaf
  • Optional: fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Dice chicken thighs into 1-inch cubes, slice sausage, and chop all vegetables. Mince garlic last. (10-15 minutes)
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet or Dutch oven. Brown chicken and sausage for 5-7 minutes without overcrowding.
  3. Push meat aside or remove briefly. Sauté onions, bell pepper, celery, and garlic until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
  4. Add smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Stir to coat evenly.
  5. Add rice and canned tomatoes with juice. Stir and toast rice for 1-2 minutes.
  6. Pour in 4 cups chicken broth and add bay leaf if using. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer gently for 20-25 minutes.
  7. Check rice for doneness after 20 minutes. If firm, add ¼ cup more broth or water and cook a few more minutes.
  8. Remove from heat and let rest covered for 5 minutes. Discard bay leaf, fluff rice, and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

Do not rush browning the meat to develop flavor. Rinse rice before cooking to prevent clumping. Use a heavy-bottomed pan to avoid scorching. Keep heat low during simmering and avoid lifting the lid often. Add broth gradually if rice is too dry. Let rest covered after cooking for best texture. Leftovers taste better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: jambalaya, budget recipe, chicken jambalaya, easy jambalaya, crowd-pleaser, affordable dinner, Cajun, Creole, one-pot meal

Find it online: https://sizzlesprout.com/easy-budget-jambalaya-recipe-feeds-8-for-under-15-dollars/