My Jambalaya

Ingredients and Weight:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 pound smoked sausage, thinly sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 ribs celery, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 cup long grain rice
• 5 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 lemon, zested (optional)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation Time:

20 minutes

Cooking Time:

45 minutes

Difficulty Level:

2 (easy)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown the chicken and remove from the pan. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Add the shrimp and sausage to the pan and cook until browned on both sides. Remove from the pan and set aside.
3. Add the bell peppers, onion, celery, and garlic to the pan. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, thyme, oregano, cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for 1 minute, or until fragrant.
5. Add the rice and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the rice is tender, about 20-25 minutes.
6. Return the chicken and shrimp to the pan. Stir in the lemon zest (if using) and parsley. Cook until heated through, about 5 minutes.
7. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

Nutritional Information:

• Calories: 450 per serving
• Fat: 15 grams
• Protein: 30 grams
• Carbohydrates: 50 grams
• Fiber: 5 grams

Dish Characteristics:

• Rich and flavorful
• Authentic Cajun flavors
• Perfect for a crowd
• Easy to make and customize

User Comments:

• "This jambalaya is absolutely delicious! The flavors are amazing and it's so easy to make."
• "I love that I can make this dish with ingredients I can easily find."
• "This is the best jambalaya I've ever had. It's definitely a keeper recipe."
• "I highly recommend this dish to anyone who loves Cajun food."
• "The leftovers are just as good as the first night. I can't wait to make this again."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• If you don't have smoked sausage, you can use regular sausage or kielbasa.
• Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to your desired level of spiciness.
• Serve with crusty bread or rice to soak up the flavorful juices.