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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.
Tasty! Just one question- is the recipe suppose to say add just 1 chicken breast or should that be 1 pound? I already made it but just used to 2 chicken breasts just guessing and not wanting to skimp! 🙂
Pretty disappointing. Followed this to a T and kept getting a burn signal from my IP. Also, Its not exactly flavorful for being jambalaya. It’s not like this is an inexpensive meal to make – – I don’t feel like these positive comments are very accurate, unfortunately. I will not be making this again.
I’m really sorry this happened to you! Did you double check your IP manual for the correct rice to liquid ratios for your pot? I have never had an issue with this recipe in my IP–but there are so many different brands now and the new pots are much more sensitive to the burn notice then the old ones.
I 100% agree with you. This recipe is not jambalaya, flavor is not there and I also received a burn signal on my IP. I normally make it on the stove but did not have enough time tonight to do it so I figured IP would be my best bet. After it was “done” I had to add creole seasoning and Louisiana hot sauce to even get a flavor remotely close to what my grandmother makes. Also next time I think it’s best to put the metal insert in so the weight is off the bottom of the pot.
I’m new to Instant Pot and this is my first time using the pressure cooker setting with my Lux Mini. Does natural release just mean that you don’t vent after the first five minutes is up? Do I seal while cooking and then leave be for five minutes and then turn the knob to venting?
Yes, that’s right. When the time is up you just let it be for the natural release time stated.
This is a fan favorite at my house. I add extra Cajun because I wanted more flavor and I add shrimp (after sausage I cook a few min on sauté and add it at the end with the sausage again). It’s always a winner. I have two hockey players (18&20) who devour this pregame.
First time making Jambalaya and only my sixth time or so using the Instant Pot. Excellent! Rice turned out a little mushy. Next time I would use Kielbasa.
Great recipe. I did not add salt util I had it on my plate. Delicious .
I have an Instant Pot and set mine for 17 minutes. I was using brown rice.
I christened my new Instant Pot Duo (6 quart) with this recipe and it turned out great! I did make a few changes.
I used 1.5 cups quinoa instead of rice, andouille chicken sausage (which I left in the put the whole time but accident but they were still tender), doubled the salt, and I only used 1T of olive oil and had no sticking or burning.
The recipe had tons of flavor but it all came from the sausage. We don’t like spicy food, so the andouille sausage was enough for us. If you want spice in the dish other than in the sausage, I definitely recommend at least doubling the Cajun seasoning.
5 minutes isn’t even close to long enough for the rice. Mine was hard as a rock. Should’ve read these comments first although I’m still doubtful 7 minutes would have done the trick.
I’m sorry to hear that–I wonder what kind of instant pot you have. I always cook my rice for 4-5 minutes (as instructed in my manual) and it comes out perfectly!
First time making this. I thought it was good but some the rice was not done. I followed recipe but didn’t add all the thyme should have. We thought it turned out well for first time.
Next time we will teak it a bit.