Cajun Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya

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This jambalaya is one flavorful pot of chicken, sausage, rice, and vegetables. It is perfect comfort food for anytime of the year!

Prep Time20

Cook Time1 10

Rest Time10

Total Time1 40

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Southern

Keyword: Chicken, Rice, Sausage

Servings:

2 tablespoons canola oil
1 whole chicken about 3 pounds, cut into serving pieces, patted dry with paper towels, and seasoned with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
¾-1 pound Andouille sausage or Kielbasa sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
1 medium onion finely diced
2 stalks celery finely diced
1 green bell pepper seeded and finely diced
1 red bell pepper seeded and finely diced
2 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups white rice
3 dried bay leaves
3 cups chicken stock

In a large dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add as many chicken pieces as will fit in the pan skin side down. Brown until golden on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a plate and brown any remaining pieces in the same manner. Transfer those pieces to the plate. Add the sliced sausage to the drippings and cook until brown around the edges, about 5 minutes. Transfer the sausage to a plate.
Drain and reserve 3 tablespoons of the drippings in the pan. Add the onion, celery, and bell peppers and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for another 2 minutes. Add the cayenne, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Stir in the rice and saute for 5 minutes. Pour in the stock, add bay leaves, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer. Return the chicken and sausage to the pan, cover and cook until the broth is absorbed and the chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Gently fluff the rice with a fork, cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Remove the bay leaves before serving. Garnish with chopped green onions and fresh parsley. Enjoy!