Contributed by Matt (Adapted from Paul Prudhomme and various other recipes)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lbs Smoked Kielbasa (because Poland), cut into 1/2″  half discs
• 1 lb. Chicken Thighs (or breasts, but thighs have better flavor), cut into 1″ strips
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 large green pepper, diced
• 2  stalks celery, diced
• 1 cup white rice (long grain)
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper, or to taste
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
• 2 tsp thyme
• 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 Tbsp unsalted butter
• Kosher salt, to taste

Slice chicken into 1″ strips (for appropriate bite sizes). Marinate chicken overnight in refrigerator, or at least 4 hours ahead of time. (It will still be delicious if you don’t marinate). 

For Marinade: Cover with about 2 tsp kosher salt, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, & 1 tsp thyme.

For Jambalaya: Over medium heat, add 1/2 Tbsp oil in soup pot or Dutch oven. Brown chicken, stirring to get all sides browned. Remove when chicken is half cooked. 

Add butter & stir to melt it into the fond (all of the delicious grease & browned chicken bits). Add your trinity veggies (onions, peppers & celery), garlic (2 cloves) & bay leaves. Sauté until onions are halfway caramelized.

Add rice & sausage to the pot. The rice will absorb all the delicious juices of the veggies & meats. Stir until rice is opaque.

Add broth, (if 2 cups isn’t enough to completely cover the rice, add water until everything is submerged). Add remaining spices (1/2 tsp cayenne, 1tsp black pepper, 1 tsp thyme), stir to incorporate. Bring to a boil & reduce heat to a simmer.

Simmer for 40 minutes with the lid of the pot closed. (Check halfway thorough to make sure the rice is still submerged, you don’t want any uncooked grains; add water if necessary).

Once rice has fully cooked, the jambalaya is finished! Serve in bowls. Add a few dashes of Louisiana hot sauce. 

Delicious with a cheap beer. 

Laissez les bon temps rouler! (“Let the good times roll!”)