Slow Cooker Chicken Jambalaya Recipe takes only 10 minutes for everything to get in the pot and you have one easy dinner four hours later!
The goal of a slow cooker meal is to save time, which is why I don’t understand a lot of these recipes that require 30 minutes of prep work. Brown the meat, chop the veggies, reduce the broth. I need recipes that can be prepared in 30 minutes or less, like Slow Cooker Chicken Jambalaya.
Slow Cooker Chicken Jambalaya does have a little bit of chopping, but I timed myself and was able to get all the chopping done and everything into the crock pot in just 10 minutes, which is my benchmark for a good slow cooker recipe. While the ingredient list looks a little long, have no fear. Most are just dry herbs and go by fast. I would bet you that you already have most of these ingredients in your pantry right now!
I really like veggies and I try to hide them in all sorts of places. One of which is kale. I know this superfood gets a bad rap and I get it. It is kind cardboard-y (yes, I made that word up) and virtually has no flavor, but add it to a dish like Slow Cooker Chicken Jambalaya or Slow Cooker Ragu.
Okra is another under used vegetable. Popular in the south, okra can get slimy with a weird texture when overcooked, but adding it precut, chopped and frozen
Save even more time by putting all of the ingredients into the slow cooker pot the night before and then put into the fridge. Just pop the pot into the heating element in the morning and be on your way!
This Slow Cooker Chicken Jambalaya recipe took me a few tries before I got to a version that I really, really liked. I used chicken sausage, but turkey or pork sausage can be substituted.
Love slow cooker recipes? Scroll on down for some of my favorites!
Make sure to PIN Slow Cooker Jambalaya!
- 3 chicken breasts boneless, skinless
- 3 links chicken sausage cut into discs
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 4 ribs celery chopped
- 1 cup bell pepper chopped, can be one color or assorted
- 4 garlic cloves crushed
- 2 cups uncooked white rice
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes un-drained
- 1/2 cup kale leaves packed and ripped into 2 inch pieces
- 1 cup frozen okra
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce optional
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In slow cooker, add chicken through canned tomatoes. Give it a quick stir, cover and then set to 8 hours on high or 4 hours on low.
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Thirty minutes before serving, add kale, frozen okra and hot sauce, if desired. Stir and allow to finish cooking.
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Remove bay leaves and serve immediately. Enjoy your Slow Cooker Chicken Jambalaya!
Comments make us happy, leave one!
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Cheryl Exum
This tasted good, seasonings were spot on, but it was mushy! Next time I will do rice separately.
Savory Experiments
Hi Cheryl,
Did you use original rice? (As opposed to instant?). Just checking 🙂
Jessica
Karen
I made the jambalaya minus the okra and kale and loved the flavor. Only problem the rice turned into mush. Cooked about 6 hours on low. Maybe my crockpot temp runs hot!
Savory Experiments
Hi Karen, thank you for dropping me a note. I’m so sorry your rice was mushy. There are a couple of different variables with rice. Temperture is certainly an issue AND the amount of water your vegetables had in them is another. Adding just a little more (which I tend to do because I like things veggi-licous) can also create more liquid since in a crock pot the moisture can’t escape, it results in mushy rice. Try cooking it for a little less and adding another tablespoons of rice next time and you should be good to go.
Kylene Smithkin
What kind of rice did you use? Was it instant?
Savory Experiments
Kylene- regular old rice! Not instant.
Debi @ Life Currents
You know, this would be great at a Super Bowl party! Make it up, cooks while the game is on. Then, when guests are hungry they can come in and get some to nosh on. Great recipe!
Becky
I love jambalaya and in a slow cooker with minimal prep work and I’m in!! Love the addition of the okra and kale too…bumping up the nutritional factor!
Linda (Meal Planning Maven)
I love jambalaya and can’t wait to try your recipe…especially because it’s made in the slow cooker!
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist
Fantastic. And honestly, quite brilliant!
Nettie Moore
I haven’t had Jambalaya in years! Love your slow cooker recipe! Nettie
Shauna Smart
I’ve never made Jambalaya, but this recipe is going on my must try list! Looks so good!
Lovefoodies
This looks so delicious with those wonderful flavours. I never tried such a recipe before but now I will! Thank you!
Serena | Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
This looks wonderful! I always love a good Jambalaya! Happy New Years!
KC the Kitchen Chopper
I totally understand what you mean about prep time. I love that this recipe is so quick and easy. Happy New Year, my friend! I’ve enjoyed your recipes all year long. I’m envious of your photography skills. Always a gorgeous photo.
mf36
Sounds good! Does this all fill the slow cooker or could I double the recipe? I’d like to make a full pot of it!
Bagabond
slow cook 8 hours on high or 4 hours on slow heat? or the other way around. 8 hours low, 4 hours high heat?
savoryexperiments
Other way around! Lol. Where was my head. Thanks for picking that up!
Kellie @ The Suburban Soapbox
What a great slow cooker recipe! I love jambalaya but never thought to try it in a slow cooker.
Kim Beaulieu
Great recipe, I love jambalaya. This one is right up my alley. I’m a slow cooker nut.
Aimee @ Like mother like daughter
I love jambalaya, but its one of my husbands favorites too, so I can’t wait to surprise him with this!
Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos
I love a good slow cooker recipe and this is perfect for those busy days. Fantastic!
Nutmeg Nanny
This slow cooker dish looks amazing! I love how simple it is to throw together!
Heather | girlichef
I feel the same way about a slow cooker, gotta take advantage! This jambalaya sounds fantastic…and the photo has my cheeks-a-tingle with anticipation. I’m adding this to our menu for the week (and making it in my new slow cooker!).
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes
I despise slow cooker recipes where I have to do all kinds of prep first! Defeats the purpose, right? I love this dinner idea! Easy…just as slow cooker recipes should be 🙂
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour)
I could eat jambalaya by the gallon, it is so fantastic! I love your slow cooker version.
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme
I do enjoy a good jambalaya! And one made in the slow cooker…even better!
Cookin Canuck
This sounds like the perfect meal for this time of year…comforting, without a lot of prep work.
Angie
This looks amazing! I love Jambalaya!
Ginny McMeans
Love, love love. Your slow cooker take on this Jambalaya is wonderful and this brings back such good memories of when I lived in the south.
Bea
Love time saving recipes and your chicken jambalaya sounds perfect. It is packed full with everything I love.
Claire Gallam
Anything in a slow cooker is totally up my alleyway this year!
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files
Love the addition of kale! And jambalaya always takes me back to culinary school where I made my first kind that I truly loved!
Brenda@Sugar-Free Mom
I love fabulous recipes that can be made in the crock pot! !