Instant Pot Jambalaya: Spicy chicken sausage is the star of in this easy recipe for Cajun Jambalaya. Made in less than 30 minutes from start to finish this one pot meal will become a family dinner favorite!
I am excited to partner with al fresco all natural chicken sausage for this post. As always, all opinions and recipe are my own.
I am coming at you with another easy 3o Minute Family Meal today, because I know that you, like me, are running around like a chicken with it’s head cut off, just try to survive the daily grind. Am I right or am I right?!
Speaking of crazy schedules, let me tell you this past week has been a bit crazy. Between doctor appointments, track meets, an open house for a new school we are attending in the fall, and dance recitals, I am beat. And we have been eating lots of quick meals to avoid the drive-thru.
We had 15 Minute Black Bean Tacos after dance, slow cooker chicken chili after a day of clinic appointments, grilled panzanella at track practice, and this Instant Pot Jambalaya before open house.
Instant Pot Jambalaya
Friends, let me tell you this easy Cajun jambalaya was not only a life-saver for a busy night, it was SO delicious! Full of spice, juicy chicken sausage, and perfectly cooked rice, this simple recipe will seriously become a new go to at your house.
My son asked if he could trade out his favorite PB & J Oatmeal Muffin for this Jambalaya for his school lunch. And that is saying something!
Before you comment, I do know that this is not a traditional recipe for Jambalaya, nor is my stove-top Quinoa Jambalaya. But you know, I am not a traditional kind of gal when it comes to Jambalaya. My instant pot jambalaya recipe has no shrimp or chicken. BUT there is chicken sausage! And the smoked andouille chicken sausage from al fresco is the PERFECT compliment to Jambalaya, as it is the perfect compliment in Cajun Chicken Pasta. I seriously am in love with all the flavor packed into this sausage.
How To Make Cajun Jambalaya
This jambalaya could not be any easier to throw together. Just a few ingredients and a short amount of time in the pressure cooker and dinner is done! The key to this fast jambalaya is of course the pressure cooker, but also flavorful ingredients in way of the sausage and Cajun Seasoning.
The only step that takes any amount of time waiting for the instant pot to come to pressure and to release. But even with that time accounted, this recipe only takes 30 minutes start to finish.
Steps to Making Pressure Cooker Jambalaya
- Saute the peppers and onions in a bit of oil on the saute function. Feel free to skip this step and just dump them in and cook on high pressure to make this recipe even easier.
- Add in remaining ingredients.
- Cook on high pressure.
- Allow to naturally release. It is really important to allow the pressure cooker to release pressure naturally when cooking rice, to be sure you have tender, fluffy rice. DON’T skip this step!
Tips on Easy Jambalaya
- If you do want to add shrimp to this jambalaya recipe, you can add frozen shrimp to the right before sealing and cooking. Frozen shrimp takes about 4 minutes to cook, but because you are not doing a quick release, the shrimp will cook in 3 minutes.
- If you have picky eaters, leave out the onions and/or peppers.
- This Jambalaya will keep in the fridge for 3 days or it can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- If you don’t like the texture of diced tomatoes, use tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes in place of the diced tomatoes.
- This recipe is written to cook on high pressure. Please DO NOT use the rice function on your pressure cooker.
- Be sure your Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free if you need this to be Gluten-Free Jambalaya.
- Because I am using precooked, chicken sausage, I chose to use Jasmine rice, which only cooks in 3 minutes. You can use brown rice. Just increase cooking time to 25 minutes on high pressure.
Recipe for Sausage Jambalaya
Instant Pot Jambalaya
Spicy chicken sausage is the star of in this easy recipe for Cajun Jambalaya. Made in less than 30 minutes from start to finish.
Ingredients
- 1 12 ounce package al fresco Smoked Andouille chicken sausage sliced
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 red pepper diced
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 15 ounce can diced tomatoes low sodium
- 1 1/4 cup chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon Cajun Seasoning
- 1 1/2 cups white rice
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
Instructions
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Turn Instant Pot to saute mode on high and allow to heat up.
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Once heated, add in oil, onions, and peppers and saute for 2-3 minutes until just beginning to soften up.
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Add in rice, garlic, Cajun seasoning, diced tomatoes, sausage, and stock, and stir. Put lid on Instant Pot. Cancel saute function and set to high pressure on manual (or pressure cook function) and set timer for 3 minutes.
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Let pressure release naturally and then stir in Worcestershire Sauce and hot sauce.
To Make Pressure Cooker Jambalaya You May Need
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I’d love to add shrimp to this recipe…any ideas on when and how? Thanks!
Hi Angela!! In my tips I share how to add shrimp: If you do want to add shrimp to this jambalaya recipe, you can add frozen shrimp to the right before sealing and cooking. Frozen shrimp takes about 4 minutes to cook, but because you are not doing a quick release, the shrimp will cook in 3 minutes.
Enjoy!
Everyone needs quick and easy recipes to get through our busy weeks! This looks perfect!
Exactly Demeter! We all need easy recipes to make our lives easier on those busy weeks
This looks INCREDIBLE!! I’ve been craving a jambalaya!
Well this recipe will satisfy that craving in NO time!
So easy in the Instant Pot! This is a great dinner for busy weeknights!
Easy dinner for the win!! This recipe saves me on busy nights!
It says mix in the garlic but garlic isn’t listed on the recipe!
Great catch Jeremy! Sorry about that. It is 1 teaspoon minced garlic. Correcting that now.
Instant pot recipes are just the best! They always seem to amaze me!
I agree Krista–it is quite something to watch dinner come together so quickly!
Love how quickly you can make this recipe! Yum!
It is perfect for a weeknight!
I love jambalaya and any chance for me to use my crock pot!! Thanks for sharing!!!
Hey Jocelyn–so it can be tricky to cook rice in the instant pot. It can be done, but for this recipe, I would recommend cooking on the stove-top instead if you don’t have an Instant Pot.
This looks like it has SO much flavor! I need to get an instant pot asap!
This makes me want an instant pot!
Amanda, you would LOVE an Instant Pot–but in the meantime, here is a recipe for the slow cooker for pulled pork: https://amindfullmom.com/pulled-pork-and-homemade-coleslaw/
quick and easy recipes this is what i am looking for thank you for sharing the post ,I am definitely going to try this!
YAY! I hope you enjoy every bite 🙂
This turned out delicious! I misread the ingredients and put in 1/4 C of stock instead of 1 1/4 C so I had to add more and cook a little longer. Still, great flavor and super easy.
Despite you mistake, I am so so glad this turned out. We absolutely love it for it’s flavor and ease! Thanks for sharing your success.
This looks amazing! I love that you used chicken sausage, my family loves them. I can’t wait to try your recipe!
Your family will adore this then Audrey–this sausage is flavored perfectly.
I love a great Instant Pot meal! This is a great jambalaya recipe. I am a huge fan of Al Fresco sauce. Great flavors without crazy calories. This has been added to my families dinner meal rotation.
YAY!! Enjoy Eileen! I agree. Al Fresco Chicken Sausage is unbeatable in taste and quality!