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Slow Cooker Chicken Jambalaya

Slow cooker chicken jambalaya combines tender shredded chicken, smoked sausage, vegetables, and Cajun seasoning in a hands-off slow cooker meal. Fold in separately cooked rice for a hearty finish with rice that stays tender.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Southern
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the slow cooker jambalaya
  • 1.5 lb chicken thighs boneless, skinless
  • 12 oz smoked sausage sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
  • 1 yellow onion medium, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper medium, diced
  • 2 celery ribs diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes drained
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
For the rice
  • 1.5 cups long-grain white rice
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 tsp salt

Equipment

  • 1 6-quart slow cooker
  • 1 3-quart saucepan

Method
 

Cook the jambalaya
  1. Place the chicken thighs, sausage, onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, tomatoes, chicken broth, Cajun seasoning, thyme, black pepper, and bay leaf in a 6-quart slow cooker and stir to combine.
  2. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or HIGH for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours, until the chicken reaches 165°F in the thickest part.
  3. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board, shred it into bite-size pieces, and return it to the slow cooker; remove and discard the bay leaf.
Cook the rice and finish
  1. Near the end of the slow-cooker cooking time, bring the water and salt to a boil in a 3-quart saucepan, stir in the rice, cover, and reduce the heat to low; simmer for 18 minutes, until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender, then let stand covered off the heat for 5 minutes.
  2. Fold the cooked rice into the slow cooker and serve.

Notes

For the best texture, fold the rice into the slow cooker just before serving. Refrigerate leftovers for 3 to 4 days; this jambalaya can be frozen. For a gluten-free version, check that the smoked sausage and Cajun seasoning are certified gluten-free.