Simple Chicken Sausage Jambalaya

Featured in: Quick Comfort Meals

This jambalaya bake features tender chicken and smoky sausage combined with sautéed onion, bell pepper, and celery. Tomato paste and diced tomatoes enrich the dish, while aromatic spices bring depth of flavor. The mixture is layered with long-grain rice and chicken broth, then oven-baked until perfectly tender. Garnished with fresh parsley and optional lemon wedges, it offers a comforting, one-dish meal full of savory, balanced tastes perfect for family dinners.

Updated on Fri, 21 Nov 2025 08:24:00 GMT
Warm, oven-baked Simple Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya, with visible chunks of chicken and smoky sausage. Save
Warm, oven-baked Simple Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya, with visible chunks of chicken and smoky sausage. | freshyforks.com

A hearty, oven-baked version of the classic Louisiana jambalaya, packed with tender chicken, smoky sausage, and aromatic vegetables in a flavorful tomato rice base.

This dish reminds me of family gatherings where the aroma would fill the house and everyone would eagerly await the first bite.

Ingredients

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts: cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 250 g (9 oz) smoked andouille sausage or kielbasa: sliced
  • 1 large onion: finely chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper: diced
  • 2 celery stalks: diced
  • 3 garlic cloves: minced
  • 1 can (400 g / 14 oz) diced tomatoes: with juices
  • 1 ½ cups (285 g) long grain white rice: rinsed
  • 2 ½ cups (600 ml) chicken broth:
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste:
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika:
  • 1 tsp dried thyme:
  • 1 tsp dried oregano:
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper: adjust to taste
  • 1 bay leaf:
  • 1 ½ tsp kosher salt:
  • ½ tsp black pepper:
  • 2 tbsp olive oil:
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley: for garnish
  • Lemon wedges: optional, for serving

Instructions

Preheat oven:
Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). Grease a large baking dish (about 9x13 inches).
Cook meats:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken pieces and sausage sauté for 4 5 minutes until lightly browned. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
Cook vegetables:
In the same skillet add onion bell pepper and celery cook for 4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
Add spices:
Stir in tomato paste smoked paprika thyme oregano cayenne salt and pepper. Cook for 1 minute to release the flavors.
Add tomatoes:
Add diced tomatoes with juices and stir well scraping up any browned bits.
Combine in baking dish:
Transfer the vegetable mixture to the baking dish with the chicken and sausage. Add rice and bay leaf then pour in chicken broth. Stir gently to combine and spread evenly.
Bake covered:
Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 40 minutes.
Bake uncovered:
Remove foil stir gently and bake uncovered for 10 more minutes or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Finish and serve:
Remove from oven and discard bay leaf. Fluff with a fork garnish with parsley and serve with lemon wedges if desired.
This gluten-free Simple Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya showcases a colorful blend of rice, veggies, and meat. Save
This gluten-free Simple Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya showcases a colorful blend of rice, veggies, and meat. | freshyforks.com

This recipe always brings a warm family moment when we gather together to share the hearty meal and memories.

Required Tools

Large skillet 9x13 inch baking dish Aluminum foil Cutting board and knife Mixing spoon

Allergen Information

Contains Meat (chicken sausage) Sausage may contain soy gluten or dairy check labels for sensitivities Chicken broth may contain allergens use homemade or check packaging

Nutritional Information

Calories 455 Total Fat 16 g Carbohydrates 50 g Protein 26 g

A close-up of a bubbling Simple Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya, ready to serve with fresh parsley garnish. Save
A close-up of a bubbling Simple Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya, ready to serve with fresh parsley garnish. | freshyforks.com

This jambalaya bake is perfect for meal prep and tastes even better the next day.

Recipe Questions & Answers

Can I use turkey sausage instead of andouille?

Yes, turkey sausage works well as a lighter alternative and maintains the savory flavor.

How do I know when the rice is fully cooked?

After baking uncovered for 10 minutes, the rice should be tender and most liquid absorbed. Fluff to check texture.

Can I prepare this in one pot?

Yes, a large ovenproof Dutch oven allows stovetop sautéing and baking without extra dishes.

What can I serve alongside this dish?

A simple green salad or cornbread complements the jambalaya nicely for a balanced meal.

How can I adjust the spice level?

Increase cayenne pepper or add hot sauce for more heat, or reduce cayenne for mild flavor.

Simple Chicken Sausage Jambalaya

Hearty oven-baked dish with chicken, sausage, vegetables, and a rich tomato rice base.

Prep time
20 minutes
Time to cook
50 minutes
Time required
70 minutes
Recipe by Freshyforks Lena Brooks


Skill level Easy

Cuisine American (Cajun/Creole)

Portions 6 Number of servings

Diet Details No dairy

What You'll Need

Meats

01 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
02 9 oz smoked andouille sausage or kielbasa, sliced

Vegetables

01 1 large onion, finely chopped
02 1 green bell pepper, diced
03 2 celery stalks, diced
04 3 garlic cloves, minced
05 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with juices

Rice & Liquids

01 1½ cups long-grain white rice, rinsed
02 2½ cups chicken broth
03 2 tbsp tomato paste

Spices & Seasonings

01 1 tsp smoked paprika
02 1 tsp dried thyme
03 1 tsp dried oregano
04 ½ tsp cayenne pepper, adjust to taste
05 1 bay leaf
06 1½ tsp kosher salt
07 ½ tsp black pepper

Oil & Garnish

01 2 tbsp olive oil
02 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
03 Lemon wedges, optional for serving

Directions

Step 01

Prepare oven and baking dish: Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 02

Brown chicken and sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and sausage slices, sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until lightly browned. Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish.

Step 03

Cook vegetables: In the same skillet, sauté onion, bell pepper, and celery for 4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute.

Step 04

Add spices and tomato paste: Stir in tomato paste, smoked paprika, dried thyme, oregano, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to release the aromas.

Step 05

Combine tomatoes: Add diced tomatoes with their juices, scraping up any browned bits from the skillet, and stir well.

Step 06

Assemble ingredients in baking dish: Transfer vegetable mixture to the baking dish with chicken and sausage. Add rinsed rice and bay leaf. Pour chicken broth over and stir gently to distribute ingredients evenly.

Step 07

Bake covered: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes.

Step 08

Bake uncovered: Remove foil, stir gently, and continue baking uncovered for 10 minutes until rice is tender and most liquid is absorbed.

Step 09

Finish and serve: Remove from oven and discard bay leaf. Fluff the rice with a fork. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges if desired.

Tools Needed

  • Large skillet
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Aluminum foil
  • Cutting board and knife
  • Mixing spoon

Allergy info

Review ingredients for allergens. Reach out to medical experts if you're not sure.
  • Contains meat (chicken and sausage). Sausage may contain soy, gluten, or dairy—verify with labels before use. Chicken broth may contain allergens; substitute or check packaging accordingly.

Nutritional breakdown (each serving)

This nutritional data guides only—don't treat as medical advice.
  • Energy (Calories): 455
  • Lipids: 16 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 50 grams
  • Proteins: 26 grams