Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya

I forget to take a picture but I also don't want to forget my recipe for this :)  I usually just throw things in the pot but I actually measured this time since sometimes my jambalaya comes out good and others not so good.  Luckily, this batch was good since I measured/wrote it down.

1 tablespoon olive oil
14 oz andouille sausage
2 boneless/skinless chicken breast
3 tablespoons minced garlic
1/2 green bell pepper - diced
1 medium onion - diced
Seasoning Mix (see below)
1 cup rice
2.5 cups water (I use 1/2 cup more water than my rice directions call for)

Seasoning Mix:
1/4 tsp dry basil
1/4 tsp dry oregano
Pinch of dry thyme
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1.5 tsp onion powder
1.5 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paparika
1/2 tsp salt (you may want a little more, we aren't big salt eaters in my home)
1 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Start by dicing up about 14 ounces of andouille sausage and 2 boneless/skinless chicken breast.  Pour about one tablespoon of olive oil in a pot and let it heat.  Add the meats and BROWN.  Browning is very important with jambalaya.  My first attempt at making it, I just cooked and did not brown anything and it looked like just chicken and rice.

Once the meat is good and brown, add in your onion, garlic, and bell pepper.  Cook this down and BROWN.  Don't burn, but you do want it good and brown.  It takes me about 15-20 minutes to brown good.  Then add in your dry seasonings.  Mix.  Add in your water and rice.  Cover and cook per rice directions.  I use brown rice so it always cooks about an hour.  I find brown rice NEVER cooks in only 45 minutes.  I also sometimes have to add a bit more water towards the end because it will dry out but the rice is still hard.

This dish was a combo of a few recipes. It was Chicken Capri, Roasted Broccoli, and a quick rice/pea combo I threw together. This went over well!

Chicken:
4-Boneless/Skinless chicken breast
1 tub ricotta cheese
A few slices provolone cheese
Garlic Powder
Salt
Black Pepper
Oregano
EVOO

Preheat oven to 425. Heat EVOO in a pan. Season chicken with garlic powder, salt, and pepper then cook each side about 5 mins in the EVOO. While cooking chicken, mix together ricotta cheese with some garlic powder, salt, pepper, and oregano. Put chicken in baking dish (I spray mine with EVOO no stick spray) then top each breast with equal parts of the ricotta mixture. Put a slice of cheese on top of ricotta. Bake 20 minutes or until chicken is done.

Broccoli:
1 bunch broccoli (I ate whole bunch myself so do more if you think you'll need it)
Minced Garlic
EVOO
Salt
Black Pepper
Parm Cheese

I didn't rince my broccoli because if damp, it won't crisp up in oven. Cut or break broccoli into nice size pieces. Put in gallon freezer bag with EVOO, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Shake. Pour onto baking pan. Bake at 425 about 20 minutes. Top with parm cheese straight out oven. Serve right away.

Rice:
Ben's 10 minute brown rice
Frozen Peas
Chicken Broth
Garlic Powder
Oregano

Follow directions on box for rice but use chicken broth instead of water, put desired amout of peas in water as well as the garlic powder, oregano, salt (if desired) and black pepper. Cook per directions on rice.

Dirty Rice

I am just realizing I never put this recipe on here. It is a very easy one pot dish and great for parties. Just transfer to a crock pot on warm after cooking. I don't measure and I probably do something different every time I make it. And no body knows it has brown rice :)

1.5 lb lean ground beef (I use sirloin)
Salt, black pepper, italian seasoning
1 chicken bullion cube
1 cup brown rice

Brown beef in a big pot. If needed, drain then put back in pot. Season with salt, black pepper, and italian seasoning. Add 3 cups water and chicken bullion cube. Add 1 cup dry brown rice. Cover and let simmer about 45 mins. You may need to add more water towards the end if rice absorbs all before finished.

You can add cayenne pepper too if you like spicy.

Check back over the weekend for 2 new dessert recipes I am trying. Both include oreos and whipped cream!