American Recipes | Dinners | Instant Pot Chicken | Instant Pot Recipes | Instant Pot Rice
ByAngela Milnes
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Instant Pot Jambalaya is a great recipe to make in the pressure cooker. I love how the Instant Pot cajun recipe infuses all the flavors together in just a short amount of time.
This jambalaya includes shrimp, chicken, sausage, and vegetables like bell peppers and celery. It has Cajun seasoning for that added kick of flavor. Serve with some delicious crusty bread for a delicious meal!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Spice and Everything Nice: This recipe offers a rich, spicy flavor that’s truly irresistible.
- Quick and Convenient: The Instant Pot makes this complex dish simple and fast to prepare.
- Versatile Ingredients: Jambalaya can be customized with your favorite proteins and vegetables.
Recipe Ingredients
- Olive Oil: Provides a flavorful base for sautéing the ingredients and helps to prevent sticking in the Instant Pot.
- Andouille Sausages: Adds a smoky and spicy flavor to the dish, giving it that classic jambalaya taste.
- Boneless Chicken Tenders: Adds protein and a savory taste to the jambalaya, contributing to its heartiness.
- Onion, Green Bell Pepper, Yellow Bell Pepper, Red Bell Pepper: Add texture, sweetness, and a variety of flavors to the dish.
- Celery: Adds a refreshing crunch and a subtle earthy flavor to the jambalaya.
- Jalapenos: Provide a mild heat and a hint of spiciness to the dish, adding depth and complexity.
- Minced Garlic: Enhances the overall flavor of the jambalaya with its aromatic and savory notes.
- Basmati Rice: The grain of choice for this recipe, it cooks up fluffy and absorbs all the delicious flavors of the jambalaya.
- Salt: Enhances the taste of the other ingredients and brings all the flavors together.
- Cajun Seasoning: Adds a robust and spicy flavor profile to the jambalaya, giving it that signature Cajun kick.
- Bay Leaves: Infuse the jambalaya with a subtle herbal aroma and flavor.
- Thyme: Adds a delicate and earthy note to the dish, enhancing its overall taste.
- Diced Tomatoes: Provide a tangy and slightly acidic element to the jambalaya, balancing the richness of the other ingredients.
- Chicken Broth or Chicken Stock: Provides a savory base for cooking the rice and infuses it with rich flavor.
- Cooked Shrimp: Adds a seafood element to the jambalaya, bringing a tender texture and a taste of the sea.
- Green Onions: Used as a garnish, they add a fresh and mild onion flavor, as well as a pop of color to the finished dish.
How to Make Instant Pot Jambalaya?
Step 1: Prepare The Ingredients
Chop the onion, peppers, jalapenos, and celery.Next, slice the andouille sausage and cut the chicken tenders into bite-sized pieces.
Step 2: Brown The Chicken
Set the Instant Pot to Saute and add the olive oil.Allow it to warm up for a few minutes. Add the chopped chicken tenders to the Instant Pot to brown. Brown for 3 minutes. Stirring occasionally so that it does not stick to the bottom of the pot.
Step 3: Deglaze The Instant Pot
Turn the Instant Pot off.Add the chicken broth to the Instant Pot and deglaze.
Step 4: Add Vegetables And Seasonings
Add onion, peppers, celery, garlic, jalapenos, salt, Cajun seasoning, and thyme.Stir to mix the vegetables and seasoning.
Step 5: Add Rice And Tomatoes
Add the rice and the can of tomatoes into your Instant Pot and stir to combine.
Step 6: Pressure Cook
Put the lid on the Instant Pot and pressure cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
Step 7: Release Pressure and Rest
Once the pressure cooker has finished cooking let it rest for 5 minutes, then manually release the remaining pressure.
Step 8: Add Shrimp And Sausage
Carefully unlock the Instant Pot lid and stir the cooked shrimp and sausage into the Instant Pot using a slotted spoon.
Step 9: Let the Mixture Rest
Replace the lid and let it rest for another 5 minutes. The residual heat will warm the sausage and shrimp.
Step 10: Serve
Serve your one-pot meal in a medium bowl and garnish with sprinkled green onions.
Every time I make this, I just can’t wait to dig in. The shrimp is delicious and this Instant pot jambalaya has quickly become one of my favorite recipes.
Cooking Tips
- Use Quality Ingredients: Quality ingredients like fresh shrimp and Andouille sausage can significantly enhance the flavor of your Jambalaya. However you can use frozen shrimp too.
- Don’t Overcook: Ensure you don’t overcook your Jambalaya. Overcooking can make the rice mushy and the meat tough.
- Cut Meat Appropriately: Cut your meats into equal sizes to ensure even cooking.
Variations
- Seafood Jambalaya: Add mussels, clams, crab meat, fish fillets, and white wine.
- Creole Jambalaya: Include okra, black-eyed peas, ham or smoked turkey, and gumbo file powder.
- Spicy Jambalaya: Use chorizo sausages, habanero peppers, and wild rice.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Storage: Once the Jambalaya has cooled, transfer it into airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
- Refrigeration: Store Jambalaya in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze Jambalaya. It will keep well for about 2-3 months.
- Reheating: To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen, then warm in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
What To Serve With This Recipe?
- Green Salad: A fresh salad with a bright citrus dressing can balance the rich, spicy flavors of Jambalaya.
- Sauteed Collard Greens or Broccoli: These hearty greens add a nutritious component and their earthy flavor complements the robust taste of Jambalaya.
- Cornbread or Biscuits: These Southern classics provide a comforting, starchy side that’s perfect for sopping up the flavorful Jambalaya sauce.
- Crusty French Baguette: Much like cornbread, a Crusty Baguette serves as a vessel for any extra sauce, adding a satisfying crunch to your meal.
- Vegetable Sides that go with Jambalaya include, Sauteed Bell Peppers, sliced mushrooms, Corn On The Cob, Southern style green beans and bacon, roasted okra or Baked Sweet Potato Wedges.
FAQ‘S
Can You Use Brown Rice In Jambalaya?
This recipe calls for basmati rice, but you can swap it with brown rice in this Instant Pot Jambalaya.
Cooking time may differ as brown rice takes longer to cook. You can also use long grain white rice or jasmine rice.
Can I Use Another Type of Sausage In Jambalaya?
This recipe uses andouille sausages however you can switch out the andouille sausage for other types like smoked sausage or even chorizo. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time as needed based on the type of sausage used.
Can I Use Skinless Chicken Thighs or Chicken Breast for Instant Pot Jambalaya?
Either skinless chicken thighs or breast can be used in this recipe. Just add chicken into the inner pot when instructed and it should pressure cook just fine.
Is Jambalaya Cajun or Creole?
Jambalaya is a dish that originated in Louisiana and can be either Cajun or Creole.
This recipe is made with cajun seasonings and includes smoked sausage, making it Cajun-style jambalaya. To make it an authentic creole jambalaya recipe, swap out the sausage for ham and add diced tomatoes to the mix.
Can I Add More Spices?
Yes, you certainly can add more spices to this one-pot meal. Some like to add garlic, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika or creole seasoning.
What If I Get the Burn Message?
If “burn” message appears, add more liquid to the pot. Scrape bottom of inner pot before pressure cooking to remove brown bits and add more chicken broth if required.
If needed, quickly release pressure and add extra liquid before following the recipe.
How to Keep Rice From Getting Mushy?
One tip for keeping the rice in Jambalaya from getting mushy is to only use basmati or jasmine rice.
These types of rice have a lower moisture content than other varieties like brown rice, so they hold up better during cooking.
Instant Pot Cajun Jambalaya
Yield: 6
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 21 minutes
Total Time: 24 minutes
Instant Pot Cajun Jambalaya is a speedy, flavorful mix of sausage, shrimp, chicken, rice, and veggies with Cajun spices.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 8 oz andouille sausage
- 5-6 boneless chicken tenders, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 green pepper, chopped
- 1 yellow pepper, chopped
- 1 red pepper, chopped
- 3 ribs celery, chopped
- 2 jalapenos, diced seeds removed
- 1 tbsp. minced garlic
- 1 1/2 cup basmati rice
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 2 tsp. Cajun seasoning
- 2 bay leafs
- 1/2 tsp. thyme
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 8 oz ( 16-20 ) cooked shrimp, thawed shells removed
- Green onions diced for garnish
Instructions
- Chop the onion, peppers, jalapenos, and celery.Next, slice the andouille sausage and cut the chicken tenders into bite-sized pieces.
- Set the Instant Pot to Saute and add the olive oil.Allow it to warm up for a few minutes. Add the chopped chicken tenders to the Instant Pot to brown. Brown for 3 minutes. Stirring occasionally so that it does not stick to the bottom of the pot.
- Turn the Instant Pot off.Add the chicken broth to the Instant Pot and deglaze.
- Add onion, peppers, celery, garlic, jalapenos, salt, Cajun seasoning, and thyme.Stir to mix the vegetables and seasoning.
- Add the rice and the can of tomatoes into your Instant Pot and stir to combine.
- Put the lid on the Instant Pot and pressure cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
- Once the pressure cooker has finished cooking let it rest for 5 minutes, then manually release the remaining pressure.
- Carefully unlock the Instant Pot lid and stir the cooked shrimp and sausage into the Instant Pot using a slotted spoon.
- Replace the lid and let it rest for another 5 minutes. The residual heat will warm the sausage and shrimp.
- Serve your one-pot meal in a medium bowl and garnish with sprinkled green onions.
Notes
- Use Quality Ingredients: Quality ingredients like fresh shrimp and Andouille sausage can significantly enhance the flavor of your Jambalaya.
- Don’t Overcook: Ensure you don’t overcook your Jambalaya. Overcooking can make the rice mushy and the meat tough.
- Cut Meat Appropriately: Cut your meats into equal sizes to ensure even cooking.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 553Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 166mgSodium: 1463mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 3gSugar: 5gProtein: 52g
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More Easy Instant Pot Dishes
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce
- Instant Pot Cauliflower Soup
- Instant Pork Teriyaki Pork
