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Slow Cooker Chicken Jambalaya

Slow cooker chicken jambalaya with smoky Cajun-spiced rice, tender chicken thighs, and sliced andouille. Cook everything low-and-slow, then finish with uncooked long-grain rice for a hearty one-pot texture.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Cajun-Creole
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken jambalaya base
  • 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 14 oz andouille sausage
  • 1 onion
  • 1 green bell pepper
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 3 celery
  • 4 garlic
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 2 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1.5 cup long grain white rice
  • 1 green onions for garnish
  • 1 fresh parsley for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 slow cooker

Method
 

Assemble and cook
  1. Place the chicken and sliced andouille sausage in the slow cooker.
  2. Add diced onion, bell peppers, chopped celery, minced garlic, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, Cajun seasoning, dried thyme, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.
  3. Stir to combine all ingredients, making sure the seasonings coat the chicken and sausage.
  4. Cook on low for 5–6 hours or high for 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily breaks apart.
  5. Stir in the uncooked long grain white rice, then cover the slow cooker.
  6. Cook on high for 30–40 minutes until the rice has absorbed the liquid and is fully cooked, with the surface looking steamy and thickened.
Finish and serve
  1. Fluff the jambalaya with a fork so the rice separates, then serve garnished with green onions and fresh parsley.

Notes

For best rice texture, don’t lift the lid during the 30–40 minute high-heat rice cook time. Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days; reheat with a splash of broth or water to loosen the rice. Freezing is not recommended because the rice can soften further after thawing. Dietary swap: use smoked paprika plus a reduced-sodium Cajun seasoning blend if you want lower sodium while keeping the flavor profile.