Ham and Chicken Jambalaya

In the mood for comfort, but also craving Cajun flavor? Ham and Chicken Jambalaya has you covered in a spicy, one pot, savory meal!

Why We Love It

I don’t know about you, but whenever I hear the word jambalaya, I think of Seinfeld. If you’re a fan, then you most likely remember this scene from “The Soup Nazi” episode:

The character “Newman” couldn’t wait to devour his tasty jambalaya and I can totally relate. But, if you’re not familiar with this Louisiana dish, you might be asking: What exactly is jambalaya?

Simply put, jambalaya is a rice dish or stew that usually consists of the following: smoked meat, chicken, seafood (or a combination of all of those), vegetables (usually green peppers, celery and onions at a minimum), spices, rice, tomatoes and/or tomato sauce.

The best thing about jambalaya (besides its wonderful taste) is that it’s highly customizable. We’re not seafood eaters here, but that doesn’t stop us from enjoying a good, hearty bowl. You can make jambalaya just as tasty with the proteins of your choice.

Ready in less than one hour, Ham and Chicken Jambalaya is the perfect one pot meal when we’re craving spicy comfort. It’s so hard to resist the enticing aromas of the seasonings and peppers as this simmers. This meal is perfect for a cool fall or cold winter’s day because it truly warms your belly while it nourishes your soul.

Simply put, it’s southern comfort food at its finest.

Why You’ll Love It

Easy prep- Diced ham and precooked chicken make this meal a breeze. After you chop the veggies, the rest of the work is done in the pot. Low maintenance- After an occasional stirring here and there as it simmers, you get to kick back and relax while Ham and Chicken Jambalaya stews to perfection! Highly customizable- Love sausage? –Add some. Big on okra? –Toss it in. Crave the super spicy? –Add more cayenne pepper. I think you get the idea. Easy serving- It’s cooked in one pot and served in one bowl like a hearty soup or stew. It doesn’t get much easier than this, people!

Ingredients for Ham and Chicken Jambalaya

Please note: Not all listed ingredients are pictured above.

• 2 cups diced ham
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 3/4 cup diced celery
• 1 small yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
• 1 small orange bell pepper, cut into strips
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup diced, cooked chicken
• 2 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
• 1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup water
• 3/4 cup uncooked rice (do not use instant)
• 2 tablespoons parsley (fresh or dried)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon ground sage
• 1-2 tablespoons chili powder (choose your spice level)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne red pepper
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 bay leaf (optional)

How to make Ham and Chicken Jambalaya

You’ll want to gather the following equipment:

• cutting board
• chef’s knife
• scraper & chopper (not required, but super handy)
• garlic press
• measuring cups
• measuring spoons
• large skillet or pot with lid
• stirring spoon
• ladle

Getting Started

Dice and slice before you begin!

• Cube the ham and pre-cooked chicken.
• Dice the onions and celery.
• Slice the peppers into long, 2-3 inch strips.
• Mince the garlic.

Set your large skillet on your stovetop. Add the ham, onion, pepper strips, garlic and oil. Cook over medium heat until the onion is soft, stirring occasionally.

Add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and allow the jambalaya to simmer for 40 minutes, stirring once or twice.

Serve warm with a slice of garlic bread or cornbread. So hearty and so delicious!

Ham and Chicken Jambalaya Leftovers?

Store in an airtight container and refrigerate. Enjoy within 3 days. When reheating, stir occasionally until evenly heated over low to medium heat on your stovetop. (You can also reheat it in the microwave. Just make sure you stir it a lot before serving in order to prevent those dangerous heat pockets!)

It’s sometimes helpful to add a little water or chicken broth to leftovers to make it easier to stir.

Looking for another great ham and rice dish? Check out Ham and Vegetable Dijon, which is ready in 30 minutes!