Jambalaya(Microwave Fish And Seafood)
A flavorful and hearty seafood jambalaya with tender shrimp, chicken, and rice simmered in a spicy V-8 juice base, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil or bacon drippings
- 1 c. chopped onion ⓘ
- 1 c. chopped green pepper ⓘ
- 1 large clove garlic, chopped ⓘ
- 1/2 lb. skinless, boneless raw chicken, cut in 1-inch pieces ⓘ
- 1/2 c. long grain rice, uncooked ⓘ
- 1 1/2 c. V-8 juice
- 2 Tbsp. Louisiana style hot sauce or hot pepper sauce ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. dried thyme leaves, crushed ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
- 1/2 lb. medium shrimp, shelled and deveined ⓘ
- 1/4 c. chopped parsley ⓘ
Instructions
- In a 3-quart microwave-safe casserole dish, combine oil, chopped onion, chopped green pepper, and chopped garlic.
- Cover with lid; microwave on High for 4 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring once during cooking.
- Stir in chicken, rice, V-8 juice, hot sauce, dried thyme leaves, and bay leaf.
- Cover; microwave on High for 10 minutes or until bubbling, stirring once during cooking.
- Stir the mixture again.
- Reduce microwave power to 50%.
- Cover; microwave for 10 minutes or until rice is nearly done.
- Stir in shrimp and chopped parsley.
- Cover; microwave at 50% power for 5 minutes or until most shrimp are opaque, stirring once during cooking.
- Let stand, covered, for 5 minutes or until shrimp are opaque. Remove bay leaf.
Tips & Substitutions
For added depth of flavor, consider using smoked paprika or cayenne pepper in place of hot sauce. If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with diced tofu and use vegetable broth instead of V-8 juice. You can also add other seafood like mussels or clams, similar to what you might find in Louisiana Shrimp Gumbo.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this jambalaya with a side of crusty bread or a simple green salad for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Crawfish Etouffee (May Use Shrimp Instead Of Crawfish.) for a delightful seafood feast. Garnish with additional chopped parsley for a fresh touch.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover jambalaya can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring occasionally, until heated through. For best results, add a splash of broth or water to prevent it from drying out.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Jambalaya(Microwave Fish And Seafood) contains roughly 661 calories, with 14g protein, 91g carbohydrates, and 33g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (158% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (110% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (67% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 19g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
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 use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen shrimp; just ensure they are thawed before adding them to the dish. This will help them cook evenly and prevent them from becoming rubbery.
Is it necessary to let the dish stand after cooking?
Yes, letting the jambalaya stand for 5 minutes after cooking allows the flavors to meld and ensures the shrimp finish cooking to a perfect, tender texture.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the jambalaya ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Just reheat it before serving, ensuring it is heated thoroughly for the best flavor and texture.
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).