Made with protein-rich quinoa, chicken, smoked sausage, and Cajun Seasoning, Quinoa Jambalaya is an easy one-pot dinner recipe that is ready in under 30 minutes.
There is something about one-pot meals. Maybe because it means fewer dishes. Or maybe it is because it is easy. And who doesn't love easy on busy weeknights?
Either way, I am sure you all need more Healthy 30-Minute Meals and that is why I know you will love this simple version of jambalaya.
Instead of being made with rice, as my recipe Instant Pot Jambalaya, this recipe is made with quinoa, adding an extra boost of protein and a nice texture. And it is just delicious.
Notes on Ingredients
- Chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs that have been cubed into bite-size pieces.
- Chicken Stock: Use low-sodium store-bought or homemade chicken stock or Instant Pot Chicken Stock.
- Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes are traditional in Jambalaya, but feel free to use tomato sauce if you don't care for the texture of diced tomatoes.
- Smoked Sausage: Use any type of smoked sausage, andouille, or kielbasa you like. I love using an all-natural beef or chicken smoked sausage made without MSG or gluten.
- Quinoa: Use tri-colored or white quinoa and be sure to rinse it well before adding to the dish to remove any bitter flavor.
- Cajun Seasoning: Homemade cajun seasoning adds the best flavor to this simple dish.
How to Make Quinoa Jambalaya
- Heat a bit of oil in a large stock pan over medium-high heat.
- Once heated, add the onions, peppers, sausage, and chicken to the oil and saute until the chicken is seared and the peppers and onions are softened.
- Stir in rinsed quinoa, chicken stock, garlic, cajun seasoning, and tomatoes, and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes, or until the quinoa has absorbed the liquid and is tender.
- Remove from the heat, and fluff with a fork.
- Season with hot sauce as desired and dinner is done.
More Easy Flavorful Dinner Recipes
- Easy Fettuccine Alfredo
- Creamy Cajun Pasta
- Taco Pasta
- Homemade Hamburger Helper
- Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice
If you tried this recipe for Quinoa Jambalaya, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.
Quinoa Jambalaya
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ½ pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts cubed
- ½ cup diced smoked sausage (about 2 ounces)
- ⅓ cup diced green pepper
- 1 small onion minced
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 cup dry quinoa
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon Cajun Seasoning
- 15 ounces diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce optional
Instructions
- Place the quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under running water for 2 minutes until the water runs clear. Set to the side.
- In a heavy bottom skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add in the chicken, sausage, peppers, and onions. Saute for 5-6 minutes until the chicken is browned and the onions are softened.
- Add the stock, quinoa, garlic, tomatoes, and cajun seasoning to the pan and stir well. 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.
Kristen
I love jambalaya. This quinoa variation sounds wonderful....especially made with real food!
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks. Real is always better:-)
Alyssa @ Simply Quinoa
I absolute LOVE that you used quinoa as the base of this instead of rice. Totally going to give it a try!
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks. This is such a great dish.
Faith (An Edible Mosaic)
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.
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks Faith. My husband who hates rice, loves this version of jambalaya.
Judy@ImBoredLetsGo
I love the idea of using quinoa instead of rice! This sounds delicious and simple to make (and clean up) - Fantastic!
Kristen Chidsey
Gotta love quick meals with little clean-up!
DessertForTwo
YUM! I love the flavors of jambalaya, and you made it healthier--hooray!
Kristen Chidsey
This dish is so flavorful you won't realize how healthy it is.
Heather | girlichef
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.
Kristen Chidsey
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.
Melissa Falk
This is exactly my kind of dish. Nicely done!
Des @ Life's Ambrosia
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!
Kristen Chidsey
You will surely love Quinoa in Jambalaya!
Rachel Farnsworth
I swear doing the dishes is completely ruining my hands. One pot meals = less dishes = one happy momma! And I do love quinoa!
Kristen Chidsey
I hear you, my hands look horrific. I spend way too much time doing dishes, so meals like this are a welcome break.
Rebecca @BeTrulyNourished
love quinoa & jambalaya! Winning combo!
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks so much!
Healthyhoney
I don't typically post on these, but this was amazing. I added shrimp the second time I made it and soaked a jalapeno in the pot as well. Yum!
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you enjoyed. Thank you for taking the time to share!
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer
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.
Kristen Chidsey
I hear ya! Well, you will love this dish for sure!!
Denise Wright
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!
Kristen Chidsey
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!
Kirsten
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!
Kristen Chidsey
Kirsten, I love hearing about your daughter and her favorite meals! Thanks for sharing and I hope you make this dish and love it!
Susie @ SuzLyfe
I love jambalaya, but I"m not a big rice person. WELL PROBLEM SOLVED>
Kristen Chidsey
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.
Lisa @ Garnish with Lemon
Until the dish fairy shows up at my house to help with dinner, I'm making this quinoa jambalaya!
Kristen Chidsey
You will love it!! And if that fairy shows up, tell her to send a twin to my house 😉
jenn @ peas and crayons
Love quinoa; hate dishes -- game on!!!! <3 This sounds fantastic!
Kristen Chidsey
Amen!!! You will love it!