This easy one-pot jambalaya is packed with bold flavors and simple ingredients, perfect for a cozy family dinner or quick weeknight meal. Ready in under an hour!

Jambalaya

Jambalaya, although a staple in the south, I never even thought about it until college, and honestly I’m not sure how I went so long without it.

My husband (boyfriend at the time) was in Biloxi for a medical school rotation with the Air Force, and I flew down to spend the weekend with him. We decided to drive over to New Orleans for the day, and that’s where it happened – my first bowl of jambalaya.

One bite and I was hooked. It was warm, hearty, and packed with so much flavor, perfect for the rainy day we were having. I knew at that moment I had to figure out how to recreate it at home.

Over the years, I’ve tried all kinds of recipes, making little tweaks along the way until I landed on this one. This dish gets requested a lot on those cold winter days in our home.

It’s one of those meals that feels like it’s been simmering all day, but really, it’s easy enough to throw together in under an hour.

It’s cozy, simple, and full of bold flavor, the kind of dish that brings everyone together at the table.

Why You’ll Love this Jambalaya Recipe

Bold, Cozy Flavors – Every bite is rich, hearty, and full of those comforting Cajun spices that warm you up from the inside out. It’s the perfect cold-weather meal.
One-Pot Wonder – Fewer dishes? Yes, please, especially with our big family. This recipe comes together in just one pot, making cleanup a breeze and allowing all the flavors to blend beautifully.
Easily Customizable – Whether you love extra spice, prefer chicken over sausage, or want to add shrimp, this jambalaya can easily be adjusted to fit your family’s tastes. I like to add extra sausage for the kids.
Quick but Feels Slow-Cooked – You get all the deep, simmered-all-day flavor in under an hour. It’s perfect for those busy weeknights when you still want something homemade.
Family Favorite – This is one of those meals that gets everyone gathered around the table, with seconds (and thirds!) always on the horizon. It’s a cozy classic that never disappoints.

Cozy One-Pot Jambalaya Recipe

Warm, hearty, and packed with bold Cajun flavors, this one-pot jambalaya is the perfect comfort food for chilly nights. With simple ingredients and easy prep, you’ll have a rich, flavorful meal on the table in under an hour. A family favorite that feels like it’s been simmering all day – but with minimal effort and cleanup. Customize it with your favorite proteins for a dish everyone will love!

Supplies You’ll Need

Dutch Oven – The perfect pot for one-pot meals like jambalaya. It holds heat well and allows everything to simmer evenly, creating rich, deep flavors.
Sharp Knives – A good chef’s knife makes prepping all the veggies and proteins quick and easy. Sharp knives = less effort and better results.
Cutting Board – You’ll need plenty of space to chop up onions, peppers, chicken and sausage. A sturdy cutting board makes the process smooth and mess-free.
Measuring Cups & Spoons – For getting those spices just right. Jambalaya is all about bold flavors, and accurate measuring helps keep the balance perfect.
Can Opener – You’ll need this for canned tomatoes or broth. A simple tool that’s easy to forget until you’re halfway through the recipe!
Wooden Spoon – Perfect for stirring everything together without scratching your Dutch oven. Plus, it feels classic and homey – a small detail that makes cooking more enjoyable.

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 bell peppers, chopped (can be any color)
2 stalks celery, chopped
5 cloves garlic, chopped
1 lbs chicken breast, chopped
1 andouille sausage
4 tomatoes chopped (can substitute 2 cans diced tomatoes)
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (more for taste)
1 cup tomato sauce
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp dried basil
2 cups chicken stock
2 cups long grain white rice
1 lb shrimp, peeled & deveined

Step-by-Step Instructions One-Pot Jambalaya

In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, drizzle in a little oil and toss in the onions, peppers, and celery. Let them cook for about 5-6 minutes – you’ll know they’re ready when the onions turn soft and translucent, and the peppers and celery are nice and tender.
Next, add the garlic, chicken, and sausage to the pot. Cook everything for another 5-7 minutes until the chicken is no longer pink. The kitchen should already be smelling amazing at this point!
Now it’s time to layer in all that flavor – pour in the diced tomatoes, Cajun seasoning, oregano, basil, a pinch of salt and pepper, tomato sauce, and chicken stock. Give it all a good stir to make sure everything’s combined.
Add the rice to the pot and stir it around, making sure it’s fully covered by the liquid. Bring the pot to a gentle boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 30-40 minutes. The rice will soak up all those flavors and get nice and tender – cook it to your liking.
When the rice is just about done, toss in the shrimp and give it a quick stir. Let them cook for about 5 minutes, just until they turn pink and are cooked through.
Scoop it into bowls, serve it up hot, and enjoy every cozy, flavorful bite!

Easy One-Pot Jambalaya Recipe

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Author: Tandra Nicole
Total Time: 1 hr 10 minutes
Yield: 6–8 servings 1x

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Ingredients

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2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 bell peppers, chopped (can be any color)
2 stalks celery, chopped
5 cloves garlic, chopped
1 lbs chicken breast, chopped
1 andouille sausage
4 tomatoes chopped (can substitute 2 cans diced tomatoes)
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (more for taste)
1 cup tomato sauce
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp dried basil
2 cups chicken stock
2 cups long grain white rice
1 lb shrimp, peeled & deveined

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Instructions

In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, drizzle in a little oil and toss in the onions, peppers, and celery. Let them cook for about 5-6 minutes – you’ll know they’re ready when the onions turn soft and translucent, and the peppers and celery are nice and tender.
Next, add the garlic, chicken, and sausage to the pot. Cook everything for another 5-7 minutes until the chicken is no longer pink. The kitchen should already be smelling amazing at this point!
Now it’s time to layer in all that flavor – pour in the diced tomatoes, Cajun seasoning, oregano, basil, a pinch of salt and pepper, tomato sauce, and chicken stock. Give it all a good stir to make sure everything’s combined.
Add the rice to the pot and stir it around, making sure it’s fully covered by the liquid. Bring the pot to a gentle boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 30-40 minutes. The rice will soak up all those flavors and get nice and tender – cook it to your liking.
When the rice is just about done, toss in the shrimp and give it a quick stir. Let them cook for about 5 minutes, just until they turn pink and are cooked through.
Scoop it into bowls, serve it up hot, and enjoy every cozy, flavorful bite!

Prep Time: 10
Cook Time: 60

How to Store

Refrigerate: Let the jambalaya cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

Freeze: For longer storage, portion the jambalaya into freezer-safe containers or bags. Lay them flat to save space. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.

To Reheat:

Stovetop: Warm it over medium heat with a splash of broth or water to loosen it up. Stir occasionally until heated through.

Microwave: Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until warmed to your liking.

The flavors deepen as it sits, so leftovers taste even better the next day, trust me!

Save This Recipe for Your Next Cozy Night In

Jambalaya has become one of those meals that feels like home for us – warm, hearty, and full of flavor that brings everyone to the table. I hope this recipe brings a little bit of that cozy comfort to your kitchen too.

If you give it a try, don’t forget to save this One-Pot Jambalaya recipe to Pinterest so you can easily find it for your next family dinner.

And if you’re in the mood for more easy, comforting one-pot meals, be sure to check out my One-Pot Stroganoff – another favorite that’s perfect for busy weeknights!