30 Minute Cheesy Jambalaya

A one-pan weeknight cheesy jambalaya that has it all.; great taste, texture, and wonderfully spicy. Just follow these easy step by step photo instructions.

Editor's Note: Originally Published October 12, 2013. Refreshed with expanded discussion and options along with updated photos.

First, I will apologize for this not being the most "for two" recipe. It just won't cut down well.

I'm using the term jambalaya a bit here loosely, but it is descriptive. I have started with chicken and add sausage with some veggies. Add minute rice until done.

Then it took a turn. I mix in some sour cream and a little Monterey Jack cheese and top with more. Brown under a broiler for several minutes and you're done in 30 minutes total.

My Rating:

A lower 5 or a very high 4. Great taste that is easy and quick.

Pro Tips: 30 Minute Cheesy Jambalaya

What is Jambalaya?

Jambalaya is a traditional Louisiana dish generally consisting mainly of meat and vegetables mixed with rice. It has its roots in West Africa, Spanish and French cultures.

The meat should include some sausage of some sort, often smoked meat and may have pork, chicken, and seafood.

Jambalaya can be either Cajun or Creole style. The distinction being tomato products in Creole but not in Cajun cooking.

The Meat

The sausage is almost mandatory. The sausage needs to be precooked for this method. If you want to use raw sausage, cook it with the chicken to 165 degrees.

I tend to use smoked precooked turkey sausage.

The chicken is commonly added, and you can use breasts or thighs.

And it is not complete without adding the optional shrimp my wife loves.

The Spicing

The RoTel adds some spiciness. If you don't want that, use a can of diced tomatoes drained.

I'm calling for Cajun spice here. I usually don't suggest mixes, but it is the best solution here with the small amount needed.

Some Cajun spice mix will have more salt, so taste test before adding any salt.

Other Notes

The diary products: I added cheese and sour cream to get a great creamy/cheesy taste, but you can be skipped. It is not a normal addition to jambalaya but makes this more of a casserole.

The cheese can be the cheese of your choice, but I like Monterey Jack for a bit of different taste.

Storage: Good refrigerated for 3-4 days. I do not suggest freezing rice dishes since it affects the texture.

Other 30 Minute Casserole Dishes You May Enjoy

Chili Mac and Cheese

Stove Top Sausage and Potatoes

30 Minute Spicy Sausage Pasta

Heat two teaspoons oil in an oven-safe pan over medium-high heat.

Trim and cut one medium-size skinless boneless chicken breast into about 1-inch pieces.

Add the chicken to the pan and cook for 5 minutes. Stir occasionally.

While chicken is cooking, chop one small onion and one green pepper. Cut 8 oz of sausage into 1/4 inch medallions.

After the chicken has cooked 5 minutes, add the onion, green pepper, and sausage. Cook until veggies are tender, and the chicken is 165 degrees internal temp. About another 7 minutes for a total of about 12 minutes. Then add two cloves of crushed or minced garlic and cook another minute until fragrant.

Add 1 - 14 oz can of chicken broth and deglaze the pan. Add one 10 1/2 oz can RoTel, one teaspoon Cajun spice, and 1/2 cup sour cream and mix well. You can add a bit of salt and pepper here if you want.

Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil. Add 2 cups Minute Rice. Mix in well. Remove from heat and cover. Turn on the oven broiler.

After 5 minutes,  add 1/2 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese and mix in well. Add 8 oz of cooked shrimp here if you want.

Now top with one more cup of Monterey Jack cheese.

Place under broiler until nicely browned — about 3 minutes.

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5 from 7 votes

30 Minute Cheesy Jambalaya

A one-pan weeknight recipe that has it all. Great taste, texture and wonderfully spicy. Plus it is not hard. Just follow these easy step by step photo instructions.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time25 mins

Total Time30 mins

Author: Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan

Servings/Adjust Amount: 6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 Skinless boneless chicken breast - medium or large
• 1 green pepper
• 1 onion - small
• 8 oz smoked sausage
• 2 gloves garlic
• 14 oz chicken broth
• 10.5 oz RoTel
• 1/2 cup sour cream - lower fat is ok
• 1 teaspoon Cajun spice
• 2 cups Minute Rice
• 1 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese - shredded
• 8 oz cooked shrimp - Optional
• salt and pepper to taste - Only add if needed

US Customary - Convert to Metric

Instructions

• Heat two teaspoons oil in an oven safe pan over medium high heat.
• Trim and cut one medium size skinless boneless chicken breast into about 1-inch pieces. Add the chicken to the pan and cook for 5 minutes. Stir occasionally.
• While chicken is cooking, chop one small onion and one green pepper. Cut 8 oz of sausage into 1/4 inch medallions.
• After the chicken has cooked 5 minutes, add the onion, green pepper, and sausage. Cook until veggies are tender, and the chicken is 165 degrees internal temp. About another 7 minutes for a total of about 12 minutes.
• Then add two cloves of crushed or minced garlic and cook another minute until fragrant.
• Add 1 – 14 oz can of chicken broth and de-glaze the pan. Add one 10 1/2 oz can RoTel, one teaspoon Cajun spice, and 1/2 cup sour cream and mix well.
• Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil. Add 2 cups Minute Rice. Mix in well. Add 8 oz of cooked shrimp here if desired.
• Remove from heat and cover. Turn on oven broiler on high with rack in the middle.
• After the 5 minutes, add 1/2 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese and mix in well. Now top with one more cup of Monterey Jack cheese.
• Place under broiler until nicely browned. About 3 minutes.

Recipe Notes

Pro Tips:

1. The sausage needs to be recooked for this method. If you want to use raw sausage, cook it with the chicken to 165 degrees.
2. The RoTel adds some spiciness. If you don't want that, use a can of diced tomatoes drained.
3. I'm calling for Cajun spice here. I usually don't suggest mixes, but it is the best solution here.
4. Some Cajun spice mix will have more salt so taste test before adding any salt.
5. You can vary the meat if you want but be sure it is cooked.
6. The cheese can be the cheese of your choice, or you can skip it.
7. The sour cream adds a lot of creaminess but can be skipped.
8. Good refrigerated for 3-4 days. I do not suggest freezing rice dishes since it affects the texture. But may do it and feel it is fine.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword Cheesy Jambalaya, Easy Jambalaya, Jambalaya

 

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ADJUST THE RECIPE SIZE:

You may adjust the number of servings in this recipe card under servings. This does the math for the ingredients for you. BUT it does NOT adjust the text of the instructions. So you need to do that yourself.  

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

30 Minute Cheesy Jambalaya

Amount Per Serving

Calories 390 Calories from Fat 135

% Daily Value*

Fat 15g23%

Saturated Fat 8g40%

Cholesterol 168mg56%

Sodium 734mg31%

Potassium 489mg14%

Carbohydrates 31g10%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 31g62%

Vitamin A 604IU12%

Vitamin C 25mg30%

Calcium 330mg33%

Iron 4mg22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

Nutrition is generally for one serving. Number of servings is stated above and is my estimate of normal serving size for this recipe.

 

All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.

Originally Published October 12, 2013