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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.
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.
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.
- 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.
- 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”.
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:
- Instant Pot Skinny Fettuccini Alfredo
- Instant Pot Chicken Taco Bowls
- Instant Pot Ranch Chicken Pasta
- Instant Pot Spaghetti
- Instant Pot Ribs
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Instant Pot Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons oil, , divided
- 12 ounces andouille sausages, cut into ¼ in. thick slices
- 1 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
- 1 yellow onion, , chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, , seeded and chopped
- 3 green onions, , chopped
- 3 ribs celery, , chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, , minced
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice
- 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes, , undrained
- 1 3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Have you tried this recipe?!
RATE and COMMENT below! I would love to hear your experience.
Can u substitute thighs for breast? Same time or longer?
Yes, cook thighs for about 10 minutes, high pressure.
I’ve made this Jambalya for my family several times and it is a homerun in my house! Everything is just perfect and tastes amazing. Will never try another Jambalya recipe because this ones the best!
Made this last night and loved it! So much so that I’m thinking of making it at my firehouse. I have a 8qt pot. Can I make this for 12-16 people?
You can double the recipe in your 8 qt. but that should serve @ 8-10 adults.
My family loves this!! It’s now a rotating meal on our menu. Thanks!
We really enjoy this recipe. So easy and so flavorful. Thank you.
This recipe is great! I love it as is. Thank you for sharing .
Thanks for taking the time to comment!
I have this in my IP now! I can not wait to try it! But I’m curious if you have done this with brown rice or if you have any tips to use brown rice instead?
Hope you enjoyed it! For brown rice, add 1/4 cup extra broth and cook for 22 minutes on high pressure. I would suggest using chicken thighs instead of breasts so they don’t get overcooked!
We love this recipe!!! Have you tried it wit cauliflower rice? Our daughter has a rice allergy – we would definitely make it more often if there was a way to make it work without the rice. 😊
Thanks! I haven’t tried cauliflower rice in the IP. I’d love to hear if you do.
Ohhhh try it with barely then! My husband and I can’t eat rice so we switch out all recipes with rice to barely! I didn’t think I would like barely but it is great in the recipes!
This has become a family favorite! We like it as it is originally printed however, I have discovered if I switch out the tomatoes and peppers and add Rotel and some shrimp, we like it even better!
This was my first IP recipe and it was fantastic!!!! My only decision was to don the sausage on the BBQ. Whole family was impressed. Thanks!