Cody Casey
Jambalaya is a Louisiana classic that combines French, Spanish, and African culinary influences. This rice-based dish is typically made with chicken, sausage, shrimp, and vegetables, and seasoned with Creole or Cajun spices. While it can be made on a stovetop, using a slow cooker or crockpot simplifies the process and intensifies the flavours. However, cooking the rice in a slow cooker can be challenging, so it's recommended to prepare it separately and add it to the crockpot at the end or serve the jambalaya over cooked rice.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Chicken, shrimp, sausage, rice, onion, celery, bell pepper, garlic, tomatoes, oregano, bay leaves, Creole seasoning, broth, salt, pepper, parsley, jalapenos, chicken breast, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, thyme, chicken broth, chicken thighs |
| Cookware | Crock-pot/slow cooker, stovetop |
| Recipe Yield | 4 cups of cooked rice, 12 servings |
| Cooking Time | 3-4 hours on high, 7-8 hours on low, 30-45 minutes for shrimp |
| Cooking Tips | Cook rice separately, add at the end, grease crockpot, use parboiled rice, remove shrimp shells, cook on low heat |
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What You'll Learn
Ingredients: chicken, sausage, shrimp, vegetables, and Creole seasoning
When making jambalaya in a crock pot, you'll want to include chicken, sausage, shrimp, vegetables, and Creole seasoning. Here's a guide to preparing and cooking these ingredients:
Chicken
Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. This makes it easier to eat and ensures the protein absorbs more flavour.
Sausage
Use good-quality, seasoned sausage to enhance the flavours of your jambalaya. Andouille sausage is traditional, adding spice and garlic to the dish. However, you can use a different type of sausage if you prefer less spice, such as smoked sausage. Slice the sausage into bite-sized pieces and, if desired, sauté in olive oil before adding to the crock pot.
Shrimp
Peeling and deveining shrimp before cooking is optional. Leaving the shells on adds flavour to the dish and helps prevent overcooking during slow cooking. If you do leave the shells on, use kitchen shears to cut them up the backs, making the shrimp easier to peel at the table.
Vegetables
Dice your vegetables to a similar size so they cook at the same rate. You can include onions, celery, bell peppers, garlic, and tomatoes. For more vegetables, add okra, carrots, and corn.
Creole Seasoning
Creole seasoning is the main spice in jambalaya and adds bold New Orleans flavours. You can use a store-bought blend, such as Tony Chachere's Original Creole Seasoning, or make your own.
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Cooking the rice separately
To do this, prepare the rice according to the package directions or use a boiled rice method. You can also use parboiled rice, which cooks well in crock-pots. If you are adding the rice to the crock-pot, it should be uncooked. If you want to avoid the rice becoming mushy, it is recommended not to rinse it beforehand as the starches help to thicken the jambalaya.
Once the rice is cooked, you can either stir it into the jambalaya or serve the jambalaya over the rice. If you are stirring it in, add the cooked rice to the crock-pot at the end to absorb the flavours. This method allows you to control the texture of the rice.
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Cooking the shrimp
When preparing shrimp for jambalaya, it is recommended to buy shrimp that has already been peeled and deveined. However, if you prefer to purchase shrimp with the shells and tails still on, you can always remove them before serving or instruct your guests to remove them as they eat.
Once you have your shrimp, it's time to start cooking. First, make sure your slow cooker is already filled with the other jambalaya ingredients and cooking away. You'll want to stir the shrimp into the crockpot during the last 30 to 45 minutes of cooking. The exact timing will depend on your slow cooker, but the shrimp is done when it is fully cooked.
While the shrimp cooks in the crockpot, you can prepare your rice. Cook the rice according to the package directions or use a boiled rice method. When the rice is done, set it aside, covered, until you are ready to serve.
Finally, it's time to serve your delicious jambalaya! You can either stir the cooked rice into the crockpot or serve the jambalaya ladled over the top of the rice. It's up to you and your preference! Don't forget to season with salt and pepper to taste and garnish with fresh chopped parsley for that extra touch of flavour and colour.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for jambalaya in a crock pot can vary depending on the specific recipe and ingredients used. However, most recipes recommend cooking the crock pot jambalaya on low heat for a longer period or on high heat for a shorter duration.
For example, one recipe suggests cooking the crock pot jambalaya on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. It's important to note that if you choose to cook on high heat, you should keep a close eye on the dish to prevent overcooking or burning.
Another recipe recommends cooking on high for 3 hours or on low for 4 to 5 hours. This variation in cooking time may be due to the specific ingredients or the size of the crock pot.
When it comes to adding shrimp to your crock pot jambalaya, it's generally advised to stir the shrimp into the crock pot during the last 30 to 45 minutes of cooking. This ensures that the shrimp are cooked just right without becoming overcooked or rubbery.
It's worth noting that cooking rice in a crock pot can be tricky. Some people recommend cooking the rice separately and then adding it to the crock pot at the end or serving the jambalaya over cooked rice. This prevents the rice from becoming mushy or undercooked. However, if you choose to cook the rice in the crock pot, it's recommended to use parboiled rice and add it towards the end of the cooking process.
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Serving suggestions
Jambalaya is a one-pot rice dish, traditionally served with rice. You can either cook the rice separately and serve the jambalaya over it, or stir the cooked rice into the crock pot at the end to absorb the flavor.
If you want to cook the rice in the crock pot, add it about an hour before the end of the cooking time. However, be aware that rice can be tricky to cook in a slow cooker, and you may find it doesn't cook through properly. If you do cook the rice in the crock pot, it's best to add the shrimp separately at the end, as shrimp only need to go in the slow cooker for the last 15-30 minutes.
Jambalaya is a great dish to serve with sides such as cornbread or corn casserole, which provide a sweet, creamy contrast to its spicy flavor. Hush puppies and fried okra are other favorite Southern sides. If you want to stretch the meal, you could serve it with plenty of bread and a salad.
Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-4 days, depending on the recipe. The dish doesn't freeze particularly well, as the combination of rice, shrimp, and sauce doesn't reheat easily without making the shrimp rubbery.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need smoked sausage (Andouille is traditional), chicken, shrimp, rice, onion, bell peppers, celery, garlic, chicken broth, and diced tomatoes. You can also add Creole seasoning or make your own with dried oregano, thyme, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and freshly cracked pepper.
Chop the vegetables, garlic, and chicken into small pieces. Slice the sausage into 1/4-inch thick pieces. You can brown the sausage in the oven before adding it to the crock pot for extra flavour.
First, add the vegetables, garlic, chicken, sausage, broth, tomatoes, and seasonings to the crock pot. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 7-8 hours. Then, add the shrimp and cook for another 30-45 minutes. Finally, add the rice and cook for a further 20 minutes or until the shrimp are fully cooked.
It is recommended to use parboiled rice for crock pot jambalaya as it cooks well in the slow cooker and helps to thicken the dish. Do not rinse the rice before adding it to the crock pot as the starches help to thicken the jambalaya.
Yes, to make crock pot jambalaya vegan, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and omit the sausage and shrimp. You can add more peppers or other vegetables of your choice.
