When someone says “jambalaya” one of two things happens- You either think of New Orleans or you have no idea what that person is saying. Jambalaya is a New Orleans inspired, Cajun/Creole classic that hits the spot every time and is guaranteed to fill bellies. It’s one of those dishes that’s guaranteed to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. Hearty, flavorful and it’s made all in one pot which is an added bonus. A lot of people get jambalaya confused with gumbo, but the origin of the two dishes is very different. If you’ve never heard of jambalaya or have never made it before and want to give it a shot, then you’re in the right place. Here is everything you need to know about jambalaya.

The perfect jambalaya recipe is a classic one-pot recipe that’s filled with chicken, sausage, shrimp, and rice. It’s easy to prepare, convenient to make, and completely irresistible. The best jambalaya’s stay true to the classic flavors of true Cajun/Creole cooking and include the following ingredients-

· Andouille sausage- Bursting with spicy goodness and bright red from all the seasonings, this is the one ingredient you don’t want to skimp out on.

· Chicken- Most people use chicken thigh or chicken breast. It’s personal preference.

· “Holy Trinity” – A fancy word for onions, celery, and bell peppers. This is the base layer for most Cajon meals.

· Cajun seasoning- You can’t make a good jambalaya without it. Find one that satisfies your spice level and full of flavor.

· Cayenne and red pepper flakes- Adds a subtle punch in addition to the Cajun seasoning.

· Italian seasoning and garlic- There’s no doubt that jambalaya is all about flavor.

· Crushed tomatoes

· Worcestershire sauce

· Long-grain white rice- You will never see a traditional jambalaya recipe that doesn't include rice.

· Chicken broth- Cooking rice in broth adds more flavor to the overall dish

· Shrimp- To shrimp or not to shrimp is the ongoing debate, but if you ask us, we say yes to shrimp!

· Parsley and green onion

Because Jambalaya is made in one-pot it makes it convenient to cook and easy to clean up. Definitely seems too good to be true for such an amazing and delicious dish, but sometimes simplicity is key. In order to make this dish and do it right you’ll want to start off by picking and preparing your meat. Take time to brown the meat until it’s all cooked through and then add in the “holy trinity” plus all the wonderful seasonings. From there you’ll want to add in chicken broth and rice. Stir in shrimp and finish off with some pretty garnish like the green onions and parsley. Sounds pretty easy, right? You can expect this dish take 15 minutes or prep time and about an hour of cooking time.

The wonderful thing about this dish is that it's a one-pot, all inclusive meal. It’s a great standalone meal that can satisfy with is bold and delicious flavors. It includes your protein, your carbs, and vegetables so you don’t necessarily need to serve anything with it at all. However, there are always options for everyone. If you’re looking for something to serve with jambalaya, we recommend keeping it simple. Stick to a small garden salad with a light vinaigrette or bake up some delicious cornbread to serve on the side. Most of the time the dish will be filling enough that you won’t be hungry again until dessert time and if that’s the case, what dessert option is better than some warm, New Orleans inspired beignets.