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Instant Pot Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya

Instant Pot Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya
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This Instant Pot Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya is a quick, flavorful one-pot Cajun dish combining tender chicken, spicy andouille sausage, long grain rice, and vibrant vegetables. Ready in under 40 minutes, it brings authentic Louisiana flavors with minimal cleanup and customizable spice levels, perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

Proteins

  • 1 lb chicken thighs, cut into chunks
  • 8 oz andouille sausage, sliced

Vegetables

  • 1 cup diced bell peppers (mix of red and green)
  • 1 cup diced celery
  • 1 cup diced onions
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Grains & Legumes

  • 1 ½ cups long grain white rice

Liquids & Canned Goods

  • 2 ½ cups chicken broth
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes

Spices & Seasonings

  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
  • 2 bay leaves

Oils & Others

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ingredients: Dice the bell peppers, celery, and onions, slice the sausage into bite-sized pieces, and cut the chicken thighs into chunks for easy cooking and serving.
  2. Sauté the Aromatics and Meats: Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Heat olive oil, add chicken pieces and brown lightly on all sides, then remove and set aside. Next, brown the sausage slices in the pot until they release flavorful oils.
  3. Cook the Vegetables: Add diced onions, bell peppers, celery, and garlic to the pot and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant, creating a savory base.
  4. Add Rice, Liquids, and Seasonings: Stir in the rice, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, Cajun seasoning, and bay leaves. Nestle the browned chicken and sausage back into the pot, ensuring rice is fully submerged.
  5. Pressure Cook: Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 8 minutes. After cooking, allow a natural release for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure carefully.
  6. Finish and Fluff: Remove bay leaves, fluff jambalaya gently with a fork, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Brown meats well to build deeper flavor and texture.
  • Use long grain rice for even cooking and good texture.
  • Don’t skip the natural pressure release to retain moisture and perfect rice texture.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning after cooking, as Instant Pot models vary.
  • Add fresh herbs like parsley or green onions as garnish for added freshness and color.

Nutrition

Keywords: Instant Pot, Jambalaya, Cajun, Chicken, Sausage, One-pot meal, Quick dinner, Spicy, Louisiana cuisine, Comfort food

Find it online: https://mealsbylina.com/instant-pot-chicken-and-sausage-jambalaya/