This Slow Cooker Jambalaya is a simple recipe that is hearty and full of flavor!
This easy dinner is one of our family favorites. It’s made with chicken, sausage, and shrimp that simmer all day with vegetables and Cajun seasoning. I love easy slow cooker dinners like this one – you can prep this Slow Cooker Jambalaya in less than 30 minutes and then just leave it all day to simmer.
I think I’ve mentioned before that my husband spent eight years of his childhood in Louisiana and so he loves Cajun food, especially jambalaya. Early in our marriage, I was afraid to make it because I thought it was one of those all-day cooking projects. My husband asked me to make it for the first time not long after we got married and you should have seen his face when I came home with a box of Rice-a-Roni. Priceless.
At the time I didn’t know that it’s actually pretty easy to make. Well, I should say Slow Cooker Jambalaya is easy and now, years later, it’s my favorite way to make it. Instead of hovering over the stove all day babysitting it, you can use your slow cooker to make it. Like my other slow cooker recipes, it’s a breeze to prep in the morning and then you can leave it all day to simmer. Don’t you just love coming home to dinner all ready to go? Best feeling ever.
This easy jambalaya recipe is basically a combination of shrimp, chicken, tomatoes and other vegetables flavored with Cajun seasonings. There’s also rice so you get a whole dinner with one recipe. I love that! The flavors are amazing – warm with a little spiciness and so cozy. It’s also pretty kid-friendly. All but one of my kids loves it (we’ve got a picky eater!) and it’s one of my favorite dinners to make when everyone is craving something hearty and I want to make something easy.
I just love this slow cooker version – I wish I’d had tried it years ago! So does my husband, but he’s a happy camper now that he can revisit those favorite flavors from his childhood more often. We still laugh about the Rice-A-Roni, though, and we’re both very happy to have figured out how to make jambalaya from scratch.
What is Cajun Seasoning?
It’s actually a mix of several different spices that includes things like paprika, oregano, garlic, onion, and other spices. I buy Cajun seasoning at the store and it makes this jambalaya recipe so easy. You don’t have to root around in your spice cabinet for a bunch of spices – just use a mix! You can also use it to make Cajun Chicken Pasta and Sheet Pan Shrimp, too.
Prep the Jambalaya in the Morning
One of the best things about this easy jambalaya is that you don’t have to precook anything before it goes in the slow cooker. I LOVE that. There is some chopping and prep work involved, but you don’t have to brown anything first so it’s ready to go in the slow cooker in about 20 minutes – faster if you’re a quick prepper!
So, in the morning, you will combine all of these ingredients in the slow cooker:
- Cubed boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Sliced smoked sausage
- Canned diced tomatoes
- Chopped onion, bell pepper, and celery
- Chicken broth
- Dried oregano, parsley, and parsley
- Cajun seasoning
- Cayenne pepper
Once you get it all in the cooker, just cover and simmer it on low for 7 to 8 hours. Or, you can cook it on high for 3 to 4 hours. Your choice!
Two More Steps After It’s Simmered All Day!
After it’s simmered, and your house smells amazing, there are just two quick steps to finish your jambalaya.
- Add some frozen cooked shrimp about 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time.
- Cook your rice and stir it into the jambalaya before you serve it.
For the shrimp, be sure to use cooked shrimp with the tails removed. As far as rice, you can use white or brown rice. You definitely want to cook it separately because it won’t cook properly in the slow cooker. No one likes mushy or underdone rice.
This jambalaya is so hearty I don’t often pair it with anything else, but you can add some bread or even a salad on the side if you want to make it stretch. It’s pretty filling! I hope you love this Slow Cooker Jambalaya as much as we do. The flavors are wonderful and it couldn’t be easier to make.
Enjoy! XOXO San
Don’t forget to pin this to your favorite Pinterest board to save for later!
Slow Cooker Jambalaya
Ingredients
- 1 pound skinless boneless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1 pound smoked sausage sliced
- 28 ounce diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 large green bell pepper chopped
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 - 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 pound frozen cooked shrimp without tails
- 1 cup rice cooked
Instructions
- In a slow cooker mix the chicken, sausage, tomatoes with juice, onion, green bell pepper, celery, broth, and seasonings.
- Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
- During the last 30 minutes of cook time add the shrimp and stir.
- Cook rice and mix in right before serving or serve on the side. Enjoy!
You know, I have never tried Jambalaya before. I know it’s more of a southern dish & maybe that’s why, but I have to tell you that it looks amazing and I would definitley like to try it.
Ha! That would have been my response for Jambalaya years ago too. You’ve come a long way. YUM!
Being Louisiana born and raised I live for Cajun and Creole food. Never thought to make this in a crockpot! Looks good!
Yum!! This looks great! What a great recipe for these upcoming snow days!
Yummm! I was born in New Orleans and love a good, spicy Cajun dish! Thanks for sharing this!
I have never made jambalaya before, but I do love shrimp! We also love spice it this house do it would be an ideal meal!
This Sounds So Incredibly Delicious I Can’t Wait To Try!
My hubby would love this!
Oh! A new crock pot dinner to make! I can’t wait to try this. It looks delish.
I am loving jambalaya lately. I just haven’t ever made it at home. I think I could handle this recipe!
This sounds out of this world! I saved to try!
This looks amazing and so easy! I am always on the look out for new recipes for my crockpot
Yum! I have only been to Louisiana once, but I love jambalaya!
The first person I thought of when I saw this was my blog friend Christy! She’s in our group so she should be here to comment soon. She is born and raised in LA and I love her accent! I would love to make a homemade jambalaya one day. This looks delicious!
This looks so amazing. I definitely need to dust off my slow cooker!
Looks tasty! I love using the crockpot – I so need to use it more!
I love Jambalaya. Never fixed it in a slowcooker.
YUM! My mom also has an awesome slow cooker jambalaya!
This looks like it could really warm you up!
Perfect for this Mardi Gras Season!
You know I’ve never made jambalya before. Hubby says his mother makes it really good so I usually just tell him let his mother do it for him. 🙂
Slow cooker recipes are excellent. They enable us to have good meals while taking care of other matters.
G’day! Love jambalaya Sandra!
Thanks for sharing as part of Foodie Friends Friday Snack Party!
Cheers! Joanne
This sounds yummy. I love Cajun food. Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday!
I have wanted to make Jambalaya for awhile now and a slow cooker version is perfect for me. I’ve pinned this to my Slow Cooker board. Thanks for sharing at the Party On the Porch. Blessings, D@TheShadyPorch
Slow Cooker meals are divine! Thanks for sharing on The Four Seasons Blog Hop! Sandra from Scrumptilicious 4 You!
Cris would love this – I’m making this week!
Yahoo! Wish you lived near closer, I would bring you all our left overs. Miss you. xo San
Trying this tonight. I popped it in the crock pot and went to run some errands, when I got back my whole house smelled AMAZING!!! I’m so excited!
Cherie – Can’t wait to hear how the finished product went! Hope you enjoyed it!
How easy would this be to do on a campout? Would you precook the rice before going up?
Just made this today for dinner! Turned out amazing, did it on high for 4.5hours. And the house smelled tasty all day!
I know I love the smell of the house while this is cooking, so happy you enjoyed it.