I'm always looking for easy and healthy instant pot recipes for my busy family, and this Instant Pot Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya fits the bill! This easy jambalaya recipe is made with andouille sausage, chicken, uncooked rice, bell pepper, onion, celery and spices, all cooked together in just one pan, for a simple and flavorful meal that my entire family enjoys.

 A white bowl full of jambalaya with chicken and sausages made in the instant pot, served with a spoon.

Instant Pot Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya

When it comes to comfort food, any type of cajun or creole food ranks high on my list of favorites! I adapted this jambalaya recipe from my popular one pan jambalaya that's made on the stove top. It's one of those easy and filling meals that I know my kids will eat with smiles on their faces, and thanks to the instant pot it comes together even easier than ever and has all of the same delicious flavor!

What is jambalaya?

Jambalaya is a cajun recipe originating in Louisiana made with rice, celery, peppers and onion; with chicken and smoked or spicy sausage like Andouille. Shrimp is often added, too.

The ingredients in this jambalaya recipe include the “trinity” of green bell pepper, onion and celery, rice, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, spices, chicken and andouille sausages.

Close up photo of chicken and sausage jambalaya inside of an instant pot.

What's the difference between gumbo and jambalaya?

Although jambalaya and gumbo are both popular dishes made in Louisiana, they are different, and their cooking methods can be different as well, depending on whether they're prepared cajun or creole style.

Jambalaya is more of a rice dish, similar to paella (in looks, but not taste). Gumbo is more of a stew. Both contain what's called the “holy trinity” of cajun cooking which is a base of bell peppers, onion and celery. Both also often contain sausage and shrimp.

Homemade gumbo was one of my favorite recipes that my mom made for us growing up.

How to make Jambalaya in the Instant Pot:
  • Turn instant pot to the saute setting and add the oil. Once the oil is hot, add the andouille sausage slices and cook them until browned. Transfer them to a paper towel–lined plate.
  • Add a little more oil to the pot, and then add the chicken, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the instant pot. Turn the instant pot off and add the onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic. The instant pot will still be hot from being on the saute setting. We don't need to saute the veggies for long–just a minute or so.

Side by side photos of an instant pot with one photo of browned sausages in the bottom of the pot and the other photo with veggies and chicken added the the instant pot.

  • Add the the spices and rice and stir to combine. Then add the diced tomatoes, chicken stock, and salt.
  • Cook on Manual High Pressure for 5 minutes, with a 5 minutes natural release. Fluff the rice with a fork and add the sausages.

Process photos for making jambalaya in the instant pot including a photo of the veggies, uncooked rice and diced tomatoes in the pot and another photo with the ingredients stirred together and chicken broth being poured into the pot.

  • I like to return the lid to let the rice rest in the residual heat for another 5 minutes. It helps keep the rice “fluffy” instead of “goopy”.
An instant pot filled with cooked jambalaya, ready to serve, including rice, chicken and sausages.
Can I double the recipe?

Yes, you can double the recipe, and use the same cooking time.

Don't own an Instant Pot? No Problem!

If you don’t own an instant pot yet, you can make this jambalaya in just one pan, on the stovetop, with this recipe.

Don't miss my other favorite Instant Pot recipes, including:

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Recipe

A white bowl full of jambalaya with chicken and sausages made in the instant pot, served with a spoon.
Prep 15 minutes
Cook 25 minutes
Total 40 minutes
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Equipment

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Turn instant pot to saute setting. Add oil. Once hot, add sausage slices, cooking until browned, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate.
  • Add remaining oil to the pot.
  • Add the chicken and cook for one minute, scraping up the browned bits from the sausage. Turn instant pot off. Add onions, bell pepper, celery, and garlic and cook for one minute.
  • Add the Cajun seasoning, dried basil, thyme, sugar and rice and stir to combine.
  • Add the diced tomatoes and their juices, chicken broth, and salt.
  • Secure the instant pot lid and turn valve to sealing.
  • Cook on Manual High Pressure for 5 minutes. When the timer beeps, allow the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes, and then quick release the remaining pressure.
  • Carefully open the lid and gently fluff the rice with a fork. Add the sausages on top of the rice and return the IP lid to let the mixture rest for an additional 5 minutes. Stir lightly and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 588kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 30gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 86mgSodium: 1062mgPotassium: 838mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 32.1mgCalcium: 85mgIron: 3.2mg

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About The Author

Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

4.3 6 votes
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4.68 from 376 votes (194 ratings without comment)
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Buddy Phillips
6 years ago

5 stars
Tried this recipe for Fat Tuesday and must say I would rate this a big 10… Tasted great I only left the chicken out. Best taste…

Jessica
6 years ago

5 stars
This sounds great! Any idea how many calories one serving is?

Marisa
6 years ago

5 stars
First insta otherwise recipe for me – this is delicious!! I actually used chorizo in place of the andouille but it tasted amazing. The rice cooked perfectly and all the flavors were so complimentary of each other. Will make again!

karen
6 years ago

Is there any time difference if I triple this?

gregory
6 years ago

5 stars
that was so amazing!!!! not sure where the green onions go, so I added them at the end on top of the andouille sausage- it was a perfect recipe to follow!

Jules
6 years ago

5 stars
Would you have any ideas on how to swap out rice for cauliflower rice in this IP recipe? I love Jambalaya but cannot have rice.

Shane Burgess
6 years ago

5 stars
This meal was so good! Very happy with the amount, the flavor, and the time it took! So delicious! Looking forward to making it again!

Ketan Pandya
6 years ago

So I’m from Louisiana and this was fantastic. It was super flavorful. I added Shrimp to the step before you close the pot for 5 minutes.

Very impressed at how well you did this.

Would you like to consultant for our restaurant group?

MIke
6 years ago

Had a instant pot for 1 month. Made it twice and the family loves it.

Joyce Morrissey
6 years ago

I got “burn” because the pressure Gage wasn’t in the right position, must be in the center diagram SSS . have had no problems since. Love the instant pot. I have been able to adapt my own ideas by finding pressure times for similar receipts. Have made pinto beans twice, pressure cooked one hour and let set until pressure was completely gone. they were perfect! Rice and sausage casserole was delicious, going to use Jimmy Dean HOT sausage next time.. Looked soupy when I removed the lid, stirred and let set for a while and was great! the pot is very versatile. makes perfect hard boiled eggs. pressure cook 4 minutes, let set 4 minutes, release pressure and put in cold water. Perfect no gray rings around the yolk and they peel so easy.