I love simple recipes.
There are days when my partner comes home starving after training, and I’m standing in the kitchen with zero mental energy left to do anything fancy.
Those are the days this jambalaya happens.
No separate pans, no perfect chopping, no patience for long steps.
I just throw everything into one pot, let it simmer, and somehow it turns into this comforting, protein-packed meal that feels like I tried harder than I actually did.
It’s hearty, filling, and exactly the kind of food that keeps him full without me spending my entire evening cooking.
It will fill your home with a comforting aroma while saving you from a pile of dishes.
It’s warm, flavorful, and unbelievably simple.
Please note I’m adding variations and substitutions after the recipe.
This comes together in under 30-40 minutes.
Before you read this, give my honey crispy chicken and soy-chicken stir fry a try. I normally use boneless chicken pieces (thighs mainly) in most of my recipes so the cutting work is really less.
Let’s dive in!
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Tips for the best meal:
- Using smoked sausage instead of regular sausage adds depth instantly, and this is one of those ingredients I never skip when I want maximum flavor with minimal effort.
- If you want extra protein for athletic days, adding a bit more chicken or stirring in cooked shrimp at the end works beautifully without changing the cooking process.
- A heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven really helps prevent sticking and cooks the rice evenly, something like Lodge Enameled Dutch Oven makes this kind of one-pot meal almost foolproof.
- Good Cajun seasoning matters more than you think, and I love using Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning because it’s balanced and not overly salty.
- If your rice ever looks dry before it’s done, just splash in a little extra broth and keep going, no stress needed.
One Pot Jambalaya
Course: Lunch, DinnerDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes30
minutesIngredients
Boneless chicken breast, cut into chunky pieces
Smoked sausage, sliced into coins
Onion, diced
Celery, chopped
Red bell pepper, chopped
Garlic cloves, minced
Long-grain rice
Crushed tomatoes
Chicken broth
Olive oil
Paprika
Smoked paprika
Cajun seasoning
Salt and pepper
Dried oregano or thyme
Directions
- Heat a large, deep pot over medium heat and add a little olive oil, then toss in the sausage and chicken pieces together and let them brown slightly, stirring occasionally, because this builds flavor fast without needing extra steps or dishes.
- Add the onion, celery, red bell pepper, and garlic straight into the same pot and cook everything together until the vegetables soften and smell amazing, scraping up all the browned bits from the bottom because that’s where the good stuff lives.
- Sprinkle in the paprika, smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, salt, pepper, and dried herbs, stirring well so every piece of chicken and sausage gets coated, then immediately add the rice and stir again to toast it lightly in the spices.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth, give everything one good stir, bring it to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and let it simmer until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed, which usually takes about 20 minutes.
- Once done, turn off the heat and let the jambalaya sit covered for a few minutes before fluffing gently with a spoon, which helps everything settle and makes the texture perfect instead of mushy.
- You can make this dish once a week, especially if you love rice like me!
Variations & Substitutions
You can make this with brown rice, but it will need extra liquid and about 10 more minutes of cooking time, so keep an eye on it.
For a lighter version, turkey sausage works well and still keeps the dish filling enough for post-workout meals.
If you don’t eat meat, you can swap the chicken and sausage for canned beans and plant-based sausage, using vegetable broth instead.
Spice lovers can add cayenne or hot sauce at the end, while milder eaters can cut the Cajun seasoning in half and still get great flavor.
This one pot lemon chicken rice is everything a busy cook dreams of — flavorful, light, and completely satisfying. It’s one of those dishes that feels like comfort food but still tastes bright and refreshing.
Perfect for spring nights, cozy dinners, or anytime you need something quick and homemade.
Pair it with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal that feels effortlessly fancy.
For even easier cooking, I recommend using a nonstick ceramic pot set — it makes cleanup a breeze and keeps your rice perfectly fluffy every time.
