Name: Healthy Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: cajun
Ingredients: 8 ounces boneless skinless chicken breasts; 2 teaspoons Creole seasoning; Coconut oil, for cooking; 8 ounces sausage, sliced; 2 medium bell peppers cut into bite-size strips; 1 small red onion, finely chopped; 2 cans stewed tomatoes, drained; 3 cups cauliflower rice

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This healthy jambalaya is made with cauliflower rice, veggies, chicken, and sausage for the ultimate feel-good comfort food! See how quick this low-carb, Creole meal comes together below:

What is Jambalaya

Originated in southern Louisiana, Jambalaya is a household staple meal made with rice, sausage, an assortment of seafood, chicken, and the “holy trinity” a.k.a blend of onion, celery, and bell pepper.

It’s packed with flavor and is comfort food at it’s best! While this Healthy Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya stands on its own, classic jambalaya is something worth trying… or making your way down to New Orleans for the real deal. Up to you!

image: double bowl of healthy jambalaya in front of a pan full of the same.

How to Make Jambalaya Healthy

To lighten up jambalaya we are swapping rice with cauliflower rice, this reduces the carbs but none of the flavor!

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.

Using pre-packaged cauliflower rice definitely saves on time but I’ve found that one head of cauliflower yields a lot more “rice” for the same price vs. storebought. In case you’d like to make your own, I have a post and a video on how to make cauliflower rice three ways.

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!

Healthy Authentic Jambalaya Ingredients

Jambalaya is a very wholesome, stick-to-your-ribs type of meal, it’s made with basic, fresh ingredients like veggies, protein, and rice. However, it’s nice to occasionally lighten things up by swapping regular rice with cauliflower rice and pork sausage with chicken sausage.

image: Small white bowl of grain free jambalaya next to a cooking pan full of the jambalaya

Is Cauliflower Rice Jambalaya Whole30 & Paleo?

This jambalaya recipe is perfect for anyone doing a whole30 or paleo lifestyle. I even included it in the Family Kickstart, a clean eating meal plan for families, and it was a HIT!

If you are making this while on a Whole30 use this sausage to keep it compliant.

How to Get An Authentic Cajun Jambalaya Flavor

One of the main ingredients in Jambalaya is Creole seasoning, it’s the currency of Louisiana and great for grilled meats, fish, fish tacos, pasta dishes, and all things delicious. Unfortunately, this fairy gold dust isn’t found everywhere and while you can order it off Amazon, I’ll go ahead and give you my recipe below so you can 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.

image: bowls of chicken, sausage and pepper jamalaya

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.

Tell me, what are some favorite recipes you’d like to see made healthy?