Cajun Chicken And Tasso Jambalaya
A flavorful Cajun chicken and Tasso jambalaya with bold spices, tender chicken, smoked sausage, and rice, perfect for hearty family meals or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
- 1 cup long grain rice ⓘ
- 1 large onion, chopped ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped celery ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped green pepper ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1/4 cup butter or margarine
- 1 (16 oz) can tomatoes, cut up ⓘ
- 1/2 (6 oz) can tomato paste ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped Tasso or smoked sausage
- 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning ⓘ
- 2 whole chicken breasts, skinned, boned and cut into bite size pieces ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon bottled hot pepper sauce ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook rice according to package directions and set aside.
- In a 3-quart saucepan, cook onion, celery, green pepper, and garlic in butter until tender.
- Stir in undrained tomatoes, tomato paste, Tasso or sausage, and seasoning.
- Bring to boiling. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in chicken and hot pepper sauce.
- Simmer, covered, about 15 minutes more or until chicken is tender.
- Stir in rice. Cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, marinate the chicken in the Creole seasoning and hot pepper sauce for a few hours before cooking. If you can't find Tasso, smoked sausage or andouille sausage makes a great substitute. Consider using brown rice for a healthier option; just adjust the cooking time. For a spicier kick, add diced jalapeños or cayenne pepper.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your Cajun Chicken and Tasso Jambalaya with a side of cornbread or a fresh green salad for a complete meal. A sprinkle of chopped green onions on top adds a nice finish. This dish pairs beautifully with Chicken Cakes With Creole Sauce for a delicious Cajun-themed dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out and warm in a saucepan over medium heat until heated through. You can also microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cajun Chicken And Tasso Jambalaya contains roughly 651 calories, with 10g protein, 24g carbohydrates, and 58g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (34% of the Daily Value) and protein (21% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 692mg per serving (30% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this jambalaya ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the jambalaya a day in advance. Follow the recipe up to the point of adding the rice, then let it cool and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, reheat it gently and stir in the cooked rice until warmed through.
What can I use instead of long grain rice?
If you don't have long grain rice, medium grain rice is a suitable alternative. Just ensure to adjust the cooking time as needed since different rice varieties may require different amounts of liquid and cooking duration.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! To make a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and Tasso, and replace them with sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or other hearty vegetables. Use vegetable broth in place of water when cooking the rice to enhance the flavors.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).