Oven Baked Jambalaya: A Flavorful One-Dish Delight
Description
This Oven Baked Jambalaya is an incredibly easy yet profoundly tasty dish that promises to be a family favorite, bursting with robust flavors that everyone will love. For those who crave a spice kick, incorporating Emeril’s Bayou Blast seasoning elevates this dish to new heights of deliciousness, making it a perfect choice for those who enjoy Creole cuisine. Serve it alongside a crisp green salad and a warm loaf of French bread for a complete and satisfying meal. If you’re someone who likes to prepare meals in advance, consider tripling the recipe and baking it in a large roasting pan, which can then be frozen in zip-loc bags for those busy weeknight dinners—simply cut off the bag, dump the contents into a glass bowl, and microwave until heated through.
Recipe Category
One Dish Meal
Keywords
Chicken, Poultry, Meat, Creole, Oven, Easy, Quick Cooking
Nutritional Information
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 718.4 kcal |
| Total Fat | 39.8 g |
| Saturated Fat | 10.9 g |
| Cholesterol | 84 mg |
| Sodium | 1657.8 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 59.3 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.4 g |
| Sugars | 5 g |
| Protein | 29.9 g |
Ingredients
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 2 cups | Converted rice |
| ½ cup | Margarine |
| ½ cup | Fresh parsley (chopped) |
| 1 cup | Beef broth |
| 1 cup | Canned tomato sauce |
| 8 | Green onions (chopped) |
| 1 | Bay leaf |
| 2 | Green pepper (chopped) |
| 1 tsp | Dried thyme |
| 1 tsp | Black pepper |
| 1 lb | Smoked sausage (sliced) |
| 1 lb | Boneless skinless chicken breasts (cubed) |
Instructions
-
Preparation of Spices: Begin by seasoning the dish with a generous 2 to 3 tablespoons of Emeril’s Bayou Blast seasoning, which can be adjusted according to your family’s taste preferences. If you don’t have this particular spice blend on hand, alternatives such as Tony Chachere’s seasoning, or a mix of red pepper and black pepper, can be used instead to achieve that signature Cajun flavor.
-
Cut the Proteins: Dice the boneless, skinless chicken breasts and slice the smoked sausage into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and easy serving.
-
Combine Ingredients: In a large roasting pan, combine all the prepared ingredients—converted rice, margarine, chopped parsley, beef broth, canned tomato sauce, green onions, bay leaves, chopped green pepper, dried thyme, black pepper, smoked sausage, and the diced chicken. Mixing them together will allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
-
Cover and Bake: Cover the roasting pan with a lid or aluminum foil to retain moisture during cooking. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and bake the jambalaya for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes. This allows the rice to absorb all the delightful flavors and ensures everything is cooked to perfection.
-
Stir Midway: At the 45-minute mark, remove the cover and stir the mixture gently to prevent sticking and promote even cooking. Replace the cover and return to the oven to continue baking for the remaining time.
-
Rice Selection: It is crucial to use converted rice, such as Uncle Ben’s brand, as it holds up well during the baking process. Substituting with regular rice will likely yield sticky and mushy results, which are not ideal for this dish.
-
Serve and Enjoy: Once baked, allow the jambalaya to cool slightly before serving. This dish pairs wonderfully with a fresh salad and some crusty French bread, making it a wholesome and satisfying meal for any family gathering.
This Oven Baked Jambalaya is not just a meal; it’s an experience filled with warmth, flavor, and the joy of cooking. Perfect for those looking to satisfy hearty appetites, it stands out as a quintessential one-dish meal that captures the essence of comfort food. Whether you’re cooking for your family on a busy weekday or hosting friends for a casual dinner, this recipe is sure to impress and delight with every bite.
