Quinoa Jambalaya: A 30 minute one pot wonder. This jambalaya is packed with protein from meat and quinoa and packs are hefty punch of spice.
**This post has been updated from 2015 with new pictures. Text and recipe remain the same. 
There is something about one pot meals.
Maybe because it means less dishes–and if you are like me, you HATE dishes.
Or maybe it is because it is easy. And who doesn’t love easy on busy weeknights?
Either way, let me introduce you to my latest remake of a family favorite: Quinoa Jambalaya.
I have been making this for years for my family. Well, with rice, but I thought let’s change it up with quinoa that to make this dish higher in protein.
And I am glad I made that subtle change. Of course you can sub out rice for the quinoa, you will just need to cook the dish longer, as brown rice takes nearly an hour to cook.
Quinoa takes 20.
Heck yes! Less time to get dinner on the table and double the protein. SCORE!
Let me tell you about that time I met Paula Deen and had a near disaster.
You may be thinking, What does this have to do with Jambalaya? Well, hold tight, it does.
I was invited to a luncheon where Paula Deen, the Queen of Southern Cuisine herself was going to be preparing a quick weeknight dinner. I was of course honored, but was hesitant I would be able to eat her meal, given my dietary restrictions.
So upon arrival, I spoke to the kitchen manager. And my fear was confirmed. I could not eat the dish–it was filled with MSG. And let’s just say if I even took one tiny bit, it would be BAD. REALLY BAD. I will let your imagination go and spare you specifics.
Well, no worries. I came prepared with protein bar and dried fruit in purse. I would not starve!!
Problem arose after Paula demonstrated her version of Chicken Jambalaya– she choose to sit and eat next to me!
Crud.
I could not bear to tell this sweet lady that I could not eat the lunch she prepared for me. After all, she was already pitching a fit that there was not a salad and dessert for us as well.
So what did I do? I begged the guy next to me to eat off my plate when she was not looking.
And it worked.
She was convinced that I LOVED Jambalaya. She smiled and chatted with me and everytime she looked the other way, the guy next to me (a photographer for a newspaper) grabbed a huge fork-full. I had a clean plate in no time!
Truth is, I DO LOVE Jambalaya! I just need a clean version of Jambalaya!
So that is what I am sharing with you today.
A 30 minute, one pot wonder that is filled with meat, quinoa, and enough spice to kick your butt to the curb 🙂 It is just missing the nasty preservatives, nitrates, and MSG found in most Jambalaya.
Trust me, I would serve this to anyone it is so lip smacking good–even Paula Deen!
The Ingredients
I use homemade chicken broth, diced tomatoes, cubed chicken breast, all natural beef kielbasa, diced green pepper and onions, garlic, quinoa, and spices
*Note about Kielbasa: I buy high quality no preservative and nitrate free Beef or Pork Kielbasa. I only use one small link and freeze the remaining. A little bit adds tons of flavor to so many dishes.
The Method
Are you ready for this? Dump and Stir. No joke, it is that easy!
Dinner Served
Quinoa Jambalaya
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts cubed
- 1 link about 2 oz of all natural smoked sausage or kielbasa
- 1 can low-sodium petite diced tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1/3 cup diced green pepper
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1/2 cup quinoa
- 1 tablespoon Cajun Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt if using unsalted Cajun Seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce optional
Instructions
-
Place all ingredients except Worcestershire and hot sauce in heavy bottom skillet. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and cover. Allow to cook for 20 minutes, or until quinoa is puffed up and liquid is absorbed.
-
Stir in Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce and serve.
Alternative Slow Cooker Method: Dump everything into your slow cooker and cook on low for 5 hours or high for 3 hours. 
Love quinoa; hate dishes — game on!!!! <3 This sounds fantastic!
Amen!!! You will love it!
Until the dish fairy shows up at my house to help with dinner, I’m making this quinoa jambalaya!
You will love it!! And if that fairy shows up, tell her to send a twin to my house 😉
I love jambalaya, but I”m not a big rice person. WELL PROBLEM SOLVED>
My husband’s words exactly 🙂 I had to laugh because he would never try quinoa before. He said this grain you used is so much better than rice. I just chuckled and kept the secret to myself.
Kristen,
My daughter comes home for lunch nearly every day. Yesterday, though, the French club was celebrating a belated Mardi Gras (winter break was last week) and she stayed at school for lunch. When I got home from work and asked what she’d had, I heard ‘jambalaya’. She liked it and wants to make some at home.
Today I spotted your recipe–and since my spouse is also sensitive to MSG I appreciate having a recipe that works for him!
Thank you!
Kirsten, I love hearing about your daughter and her favorite meals! Thanks for sharing and I hope you make this dish and love it!
This is such a good idea! I always forget about using quinoa so this is would be a great way since my hubby adores jambalaya!
My husband loves Jambalaya as well but after making it with quinoa–he discovered he loves quinoa more than rice. Hope your husband does as well!
Dishes… I even have a dishwasher and never use it! I just do the dishes as I go, but it still sucks 🙁 On another note, this quinoa jambalaya looks awesome and I love the use of quinoa in it.
I hear ya! Well, you will love this dish for sure!!
love quinoa & jambalaya! Winning combo!
Thanks so much!
I swear doing the dishes is completely ruining my hands. One pot meals = less dishes = one happy momma! And I do love quinoa!
I hear you, my hands look horrific. I spend way too much time doing dishes, so meals like this are a welcome break.
We started subing quinoa for rice a while back, I love it too! I have never thought to make a jambalaya with it though. Love this!
You will surely love Quinoa in Jambalaya!
This is exactly my kind of dish. Nicely done!
Ha! That is a story for the ages…I can’t believe she didn’t notice. How nice of you to want to spare her feelings (I probably would’ve just told her about my dietary restrictions). I love this version of jambalaya – quinoa is such an awesome twist, too.
Thanks Heather! It was quite a moment and normally I have no problem telling people my restrictions, I just felt like it would crush her in that moment.
YUM! I love the flavors of jambalaya, and you made it healthier–hooray!
This dish is so flavorful you won’t realize how healthy it is.
I love the idea of using quinoa instead of rice! This sounds delicious and simple to make (and clean up) – Fantastic!
Gotta love quick meals with little clean-up!
What a cute story about Paula! I love the flavors going on in Jambalya, but normally I’m not a big rice eater – I would go crazy over your version with quinoa though! Genius.
Thanks Faith. My husband who hates rice, loves this version of jambalaya.
I absolute LOVE that you used quinoa as the base of this instead of rice. Totally going to give it a try!
Thanks. This is such a great dish.
I love jambalaya. This quinoa variation sounds wonderful….especially made with real food!
Thanks. Real is always better:-)
Does the recipe really only call for 1/2 cup of quinoa? It sounds like it would be a lot of liquid for only 1/2 cup, I just want to make sure I get the recipe right for our first attempt ???? thanks!
Hey Megan! This does seem like not enough quinoa, but because of all the other ingredients–it is all you need. If you like your Jambalaya really thick you could add 3/4 cup quinoa. Or you could cook as directed and if too liquidy for your taste, add in 1/4 cup quinoa and simmer until tender at the end–it won’t hurt a thing just take a bit longer.
We are fixing this tonight! I didn’t have bell pepper, so we subbed green chilis- I’m so excited about dinner!
YEA!!! I hope you love this. And the green chilis sound like a great addition!
It was delish! My husband and I both loved it and we are so glad there are leftovers!! Thanks for the recipe!
Oh this makes me so happy!!