Healthy Jambalaya Recipe | Low-Carb, Whole30 & Paleo

You are going to love this recipe for Healthy Jambalaya! It’s made with cauliflower rice, Creole seasonings, and smoked sausage for a hearty, flavor-packed meal that’s good for you.

Jambalaya originated in southern Louisiana and is a household staple recipe made with rice, sausage, an assortment of seafood, chicken, and seasonings. Everything is cooked in a single skillet, and there’s usually enough to feed a small army.

The traditional dish is pure soul food, and I am showing you how to turn it into a low-carb recipe with all the original New Orleans flavors.

Is Jambalaya Healthy

Jambalaya is a very wholesome, stick-to-your-ribs type of meal, but to make it lighter, we replace regular rice with cauliflower rice and swap pork sausage for smoked chicken sausage. 

Cauliflower rice does a fantastic job of soaking up the flavor and spices from the sausage and tomatoes to make every bite even more delicious. 

If you aren’t on the cauliflower rice bandwagon yet, get ready because this dish is gonna change your mind! It soaks up the flavor of any recipe and is a tasty, low carb swap for regular rice. I’ve used it to make Chicken Burrito Bowls, Egg Roll in Bowl, Shrimp Fried Rice, and the kids have no problem cleaning their plates or asking for seconds.

Healthy Jambalaya Ingredients

Here’s a list of everything you’ll need to make low-carb jambalaya: 

• chicken breasts
• Creole seasoning
• coconut oil
• smoked sausage
• bell peppers
• onion
• stewed tomatoes
• cauliflower rice

Pre-packaged cauliflower rice saves time, but I find that one head of cauliflower yields a lot more for the same price. If you’d like to make your own, I have a helpful post and a video on making cauliflower rice. 

How to Make Healthy Low-Carb Jambalaya

Are you ready to make this low-carb jambalaya? It’s so easy, let me show you how: 

1. Prep the chicken
   In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with the Creole spices. 
2. Cook
   Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned. Add the veggies and cook until tender. 
3. Stir it all together
   Stir in the tomatoes and cauliflower rice. Cover the skillet with the lid and cook until the cauliflower rice has absorbed all of the liquid. Remove from the heat and serve. 

You can also watch the video below to see how this recipe is made. 

Backstory: authentic jambalaya takes about an hour to make because the rice slow simmers in the tomato sauce, so it gets a nice coat of tomatoey, spicy flavor and everything holds together. It. Is. Amazing!

But cauliflower rice absorbs the tomato juice and other flavors MUCH quicker, so you get to eat sooner, like 40 minutes sooner. High-five!

How to Get Authentic Cajun Jambalaya Flavor

One of the main ingredients in Jambalaya is Creole seasoning. It’s a blend of spices and herbs used to season grilled meats, fish, fish tacos, pasta dishes, and all things delicious. 

You can consider it the currency of Louisiana. Unfortunately, this fairy gold dust isn’t found everywhere, and while you can order it off Amazon, you will find my recipe below to make it on your own.

It will keep in an airtight container for up to 3 months IF you don’t use it all before then.

Healthy Jambalaya Variations

You could swap out the chicken breasts for chicken thighs or shrimp and still enjoy a healthy jambalaya with authentic flavors. If using shrimp, add them with the cauliflower rice and tomatoes and cook until the shrimp are opaque.

Andouille sausage or your favorite smoked sausage would also make a delicious swap for the chicken sausage. Use equal amounts of your choice of sausage and cook as the recipe directs.

Is Cauliflower Rice Jambalaya Whole30 and Paleo

This jambalaya recipe is perfect for anyone doing a whole30 or paleo lifestyle. It’s grain-free, high in protein, and a hit with both kids and adults! 

You can find more tasty recipes like this one in my Family Kickstart Program, a clean eating meal plan for families. The delicious recipes, weekly prep guide, and shopping lists help parents stay organized and prepare fresh meals, so everyone eats better all week long. 

Check out everything the Family Kickstart Program has to offer. 

Healthy Jambalaya Calories

Each serving of this healthy jambalaya has 312 calories with 12 grams of fat, 30 grams of protein, and only 17 grams of net carbs. It’s a balanced dish that offers a lot of protein, veggies, and delicious New Orleans flavors.

Can Jambalaya Be Made Ahead?

This recipe can be and should be made ahead because Jambalaya tastes better the longer it sits. This gives it a chance for the flavors to meld together and everything to soak up the spices.

What To Serve with Paleo Jambalaya

Curious about what else to serve with this Paleo Jambalaya? I’ve got you covered. Below you’ll find some more New Orleans recipes as well as a few paleo-focused side dishes that would compliment the flavors of this jambalaya:

• Creole Tomato Salad
• Creole Coleslaw
• Savory Butternut Squash
• Almond Flour Biscuits

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