Slow Cooker Jambalaya

Name: Slow Cooker Jambalaya
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 210 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 boneless chicken breast (about 1 pound) (cut into bite sized pieces); 12 oz. andouille sausage (sliced); 2 red bell peppers (seeded and diced); 2 jalapenos (seeded and diced); 1 medium sized white onion (sliced); 2 celery ribs (sliced); 3 garlic cloves (minced); 2 cups chicken stock ((or chicken broth)); 14 oz. can diced tomatoes; 1 Tbsp. Tabasco hot sauce; 3 Tbsp. Cajun seasoning; ½ tsp. Kosher salt; ½ tsp. black pepper; 12 oz. frozen shrimp (peeled and deveined); 2 cups cooked rice; fresh parsley (chopped)

By Sarah Olson

2 Comments

Aug 21, 2023

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This Slow Cooker Jambalaya recipe is packed with all the classic ingredients and flavors of the popular Louisiana-style jambalaya. Packed with bold Cajun flavors, smoked sausage, shrimp, chicken, and veggies – this is sure to become a new family favorite.

Capture the Cajun flavors in other recipes like my Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo and Slow Cooker Cajun Parmesan Potatoes.

What is Jambalaya
Recipe Ingredients
Step-by-Step Directions
What to serve with Jambalaya?
Recipe FAQs
More Slow Cooker Cajun Recipes
Slow Cooker Jambalaya Recipe

What is Jambalaya

Often confused with gumbo, jambalaya has less liquid which makes it much heartier than its gumbo counterpart. Another huge difference between gumbo and jambalaya is the rice. Most jambalaya recipes will have you add uncooked rice along with the other ingredients. Gumbo is typically served over rice.

Overall, jambalaya shouldn’t be mushy or runny and filled with a variety of meat and veggies. In my recipe, I like to add diced tomatoes, chopped celery, sliced onion, diced chicken breasts, sliced andouille sausage, frozen shrimp, and a host of creole seasoning for the perfect taste.

Get ready to make the best crockpot jambalaya. Let’s get cooking!

Recipe Ingredients

Chicken Breast: You’ll only need 1 boneless skinless chicken breast to cut into bite-sized pieces. I like to cut the boneless chicken breast halves into cubes to make it easier.
Sausage: Andouille sausage is sliced into quarter-inch pieces. You don’t want them super thin or thick.
Fresh Vegetables: Grab a red bell pepper, jalapenos, a medium-sized white onion, and celery ribs to seed, dice, and chop. The most delicious recipes include these veggies at the very minimum and help add so much flavor.
Chicken Stock: This is used to help add juice, but not too much to make the jambalaya recipe too runny. Of course, chicken broth can be used instead.
Seasonings: minced garlic cloves, Cajun seasoning, Tabasco sauce, kosher salt, and black pepper create a creole seasoning taste-alike and authentic flavor that makes this recipe incredibly delicious.
Tomatoes: Make is super easy by using a 14 oz. can of diced tomatoes.
Uncooked Shrimp: 12 oz of frozen shrimp peeled and deveined adds the perfect heartiness. Another shrimp recipe to try is Slow Cooker Hot Shrimp Dip.
Cooked Rice: I recommend cooking the rice separately and going for long grain white rice. 2 cups will do the trick! (cook minute rice (instant rice) if you are short on time.
Parsley: Fresh parsley chopped is used for garnish.

Step-by-Step Directions

Four images showing how to make jambalaya in a slow cooker.

Step One – In a large slow cooker, add in the chicken breast, sliced andouille sausage, bell peppers, jalapenos, onion, celery, dice tomatoes, seasonings, and minced garlic.

Step Two – Pour in the chicken stock (or chicken broth). Stir until all the ingredients are combined. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours, or on HIGH for 3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. After cooking time, stir in the frozen raw shrimp. Cover and cook on HIGH for an additional 30 minutes or LOW for an additional hour (until the shrimp are pink and cooked through.)

Step Three – Prepare the rice and add it to the crockpot.

Step Four – Stir in the cooked rice, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve. Enjoy!

Overhead shot of jambalaya in a slow cooker.

What to serve with Jambalaya?

There are many things that pair perfectly with jambalaya. For starters, you can go for sides like collard greens and fried okra or corn on the cob and extra rice.
For dipping, enjoy this excellent recipe with cornbread, hush puppies, or garlic bread.
When it comes to toppings, you can add whole green onions, chopped green onions, or more fresh parsley.

Bowl of crockpot jambalaya in front of a slow cooker.

Recipe FAQs

How can I make this crock pot jambalaya spicier?

Add a few dashes of cayenne pepper, some of the jalapeno seeds, and/or your favorite hot sauce to give it a kick.

Can I make this recipe less spicy?

Yes, if you prefer a more mild flavor, you can reduce the amount of jalapenos, Tabasco, and Cajun seasoning in this recipe, or leave any of them out all together.

What is the best way to cook the rice?

You can’t go wrong with cooking the rice according to the package directions. If you have a rice cooker, that’s a good option as well.

Can I use a different type of rice?

Yes, you can use other types of rice and prepare them as instructed on the package instructions at step number 5. Brown rice, jasmine rice, cauliflower rice, or basmati rice are all great choices.

How do I store leftover jambalaya?

Pour any remaining jambalaya into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can reheat it in a microwave safe bowl or on the stovetop over medium heat. If you want to store it for a longer period, you can freeze it for up to 2-3 months. To freeze, let the jambalaya cook completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container for a sealable bag, removing as much air as possible. Thaw the frozen jambalaya in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

More Slow Cooker Cajun Recipes

Want to make more magic in your crockpot? Stay up to date and subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Tik Tok, and YouTube.