I threw this together in a pinch last night after realizing it was dinner time and I had my face in the computer too long. I LOVE the jambalaya at Yard House and have made one other attempt at recreating it. (It was ok, but not close enough). This time, I changed the way I prepared everything and I have to say it is pretty darn close. Except for the missing jumbo shrimp. The kids won't eat them. (Weirdos!)
Chicken thighs (8-boneless, skinless)
Chicken thighs (8-boneless, skinless)
Cajun seasoning
14 oz Package beef summer sausage
½ Package longaniza sausage
Red bell pepper – coarsely chopped
Pasilla pepper – coarsely chopped
2 cloves garlic - crushed
Can of stewed tomatoes (original recipe! Not Mexican or Italian version)
Can of tomato soup
Pint of half and half
Heat 2 Tbs olive oil in a large skillet.
(I LOVE my 12” flat skillet! Cooks a family sized meal and the sides keep food from flying out when I’m stirring!)
Cut the chicken thighs into good size chunks or strips. Spread the chicken out across the bottom of the pan. Coat the chicken with the Cajun seasoning. (Basically to taste here. If you like it spicy, pile that stuff on! If not, just sprinkle it on lightly for flavor.) Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes on one side before turning and coating with seasoning again. Cook the chicken until nearly cooked through and very little pink remains.
Slice the summer sausage and add to the skillet. Stir and cook for another 4-5 minutes.
Coarsely chop the peppers and add to the skillet. Stir.
Crush the garlic with a garlic press and add to the skillet and stir.
Remove the casing from one link of longaniza sausage and crumble into the skillet. Stir and combine the longaniza into the mix. Longaniza will crumble and basically dissolve while cooking but gives the pot amazing flavor.
Create a space in the pan to add the stewed tomatoes. Dump the tomatoes in and chop or cut the tomatoes into smaller pieces with kitchen sheers (or you could drain the juice into the skillet and chop the tomatoes on a cutting board if you don’t have kitchen sheers. I use my kitchen sheers in place of a knife all the time!) Give it a stir and let simmer for a couple minutes.
Add the tomato soup and stir to combine.
Add the half and half, gently stir (its gonna be really saucy) and reduce heat to med-low. Simmer for 5-10 minutes until sauce begins to thicken.
Serve over rice.
