Jambalaya is a beloved Southern classic known for its bold flavors and hearty ingredients. This Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Jambalaya offers a fresh, lighter twist on the traditional dish, featuring smoky grilled chicken, plenty of veggies, and the perfect blend of spices. It’s a one-pan meal that’s as vibrant as it is satisfying, and the best part? It’s incredibly easy to prepare.
The star of this dish is the grilled chicken, which is marinated in a mix of Cajun spices, garlic, and lime juice, giving it a zesty and smoky flavor. Grilling the chicken adds an extra layer of char and depth that takes this jambalaya to the next level. Once grilled, the chicken is sliced and added to the rice mixture, adding protein and a savory kick to the dish.
The rice itself is cooked with a mix of bell peppers, onions, celery, and tomatoes, essential ingredients that create the foundation of this dish. A dash of Cajun seasoning, paprika, thyme, and a pinch of cayenne pepper bring all the bold flavors together, while the tomatoes and broth give the rice a rich, comforting base. You can also throw in other veggies like zucchini or corn to add even more color and texture.
Everything comes together in one pot or skillet, making it perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping for the week ahead. The rice absorbs all the flavorful juices from the vegetables and chicken, creating a hearty, one-pot meal that’s bursting with flavor. For extra flair, top it off with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of parsley for a refreshing contrast to the smoky spices.
Whether you’re craving something with a little heat or simply looking to enjoy a delicious, balanced meal, this Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Jambalaya offers the perfect combination of savory, smoky, and fresh. It’s a dish that’s guaranteed to warm you up and satisfy your hunger, all in one bite.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts boneless, skinless
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion diced
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup long grain rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp thyme dried
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- parsley chopped fresh for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and paprika. Grill the chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice into strips.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, bell peppers, and garlic. Cook until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the diced tomatoes, rice, chicken broth, cayenne pepper, thyme, and oregano to the skillet. Stir to combine.
- Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until rice is cooked and liquid is absorbed.
- Stir in the sliced grilled chicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley.
Nutrition
The instructions were kinda confusing, but I made it work. Taste was okay, but not great.
This jambalaya was fantastic! So flavorful and easy to make. My family loved it!
Can u make this with brown rice? I only have brown rice.
Yeah, you can totally use brown rice! Just remember it takes longer to cook than white rice. Maybe add a bit more broth too.
I dunno about that. Brown rice has a different texture and flavor. What if it doesn’t turn out right? 🤔
I’m not a cook, ended up burning the chicken. But even the burnt part was still kind of good. Lol.
Lol, I wouldn’t feel too bad about burning. It’s all about how it tastes, right? Just don’t let it happen again! 😅
Burnt chicken? That’s a new level of cooking. But hey, if it still tasted good, maybe that’s a hidden skill! 😂
It’s all good until you put cayenne! That stuff is fire. I like mild!
Honestly quite basic. I’ve had better jambalaya. Needs more spices or something to kick it up a notch.
I followed the recipe but it came out too spicy for me. Maybe cut down on the cayenne next time?
Wow!!! Best jambalaya ever, I swear it! Grill the chicken right! 🔥
I was skeptical at first, but it turned out really good. A bit spicy for my taste, though.
I love Jambalaya! Glad you tried it! A little spice makes it better, I think. 😊
I made this and honestly, it didn’t taste like jambalaya at all. More like chicken and rice. Disappointed!
I had a similar experience! I think you need more spices for it to truly feel like jambalaya. This was almost bland for me.
I loved it! I think it’s a different take on jambalaya but it was delish! Maybe you just overcooked it?
This looks complicated, but it’s really not. Just follow the steps and you’re golden! Thanks for sharing!
This jambalaya is amazing! So much flavor, my whole family loved it.
Who even puts tomatoes in jambalaya? That’s a no for me!
Just ok, nothing special. Wouldn’t recommend.
Grilled chicken? YES! This recipe is awesome, and the veggies add such great flavor! Will make again.
Yum! I just threw everything in a pot and let it cook. Super simple and came out good!
Sounds delish! I love a recipe that’s easy like that! Can’t wait to try it. 😋
Easy and delicious! But didn’t have long grain rice, used basmati instead, still turned out good!
Glad it turned out great! Basmati rice is such a nice twist, I’ll have to try that next time.
I don’t know about using basmati, wouldn’t that change the whole taste? Long grain is kinda the point of jambalaya!
Hmmm… grilled chicken? I thought it’s a stew? Confusing recipe. Just sayin. 🤷
I left out the bell peppers ’cause I’m not a fan, but still turned out good! 😋
Yummy! The chicken was perfectly grilled. I added some shrimp too. Definitely making it again!