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Keto Jambalaya

Protein-packed keto jambalaya is the perfect one-pot low carb meal to spice up your keto family dinner. Shrimp, andouille sausage, and chicken with veggies, Creole spices, and gluten-free cauliflower rice make up one of the most delicious recipes on our meal plan. Mmmmm!

Closeup of keto jambalaya with shrimp on top

Do you sometimes just crave something different? Maybe one child wants sausage, the other chicken, and you want shrimp? Well, have I got the perfect creative keto meals recipe for you!

Keto jambalaya is one of those recipes I just love because anyone will like it, keto or not. Keto for families can be done so you don’t have to cook different meals for just yourself! I’ve even used this for one of my best keto camping meals!

It’s packed with 36 grams of protein per serving and is a one-pot meal of meat and veggies. You can even add more chicken bone broth to make it into a hearty stew if you like.

Admittedly, there can be some discussion on the appropriate spiciness, especially with kids around. However, the flavors will take you back to that glorious trip to New Orleans and leave you wanting a pecan praline for dessert. Jambalaya is a traditional rice dish of New Orleans, and it’s getting a makeover with gluten-free cauliflower rice.

I consider it one of the best keto family meals to mix things up a bit!

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Keto jambalaya will add some spice to your low carb family dinner! Gluten-free with cauliflower rice, andouille sausage, shrimp, and chicken. The perfect one-pot meal. #ketodinners #ketorecipes

In a hurry?

Scroll down to the bottom for the printable recipe or PIN it here for later!

Life was just a tire swing. ‘Jambalaya’ was the only song I could sing. Blackberry pickin’, eatin’ fried chicken, And I never knew a thing about pain. Life was just a tire swing.

🦐 Keto Jambalaya recipe

Gumbo, crawfish étoufée, jambalaya, red beans and rice, barbeque shrimp, beignets, po-boys, bananas foster, pralines. Is your mouth watering yet? Mine definitely is.

Even more than the historic homes, the swamp tours, and the infamous Bourbon Street, my favorite thing about New Orleans is the food. In my opinion, any visit to the historic city should focus on eating well and good music.

The problem comes in when you are trying to be good and eat a keto diet. What can you do? So many of these amazing dishes are not exactly keto-friendly.

Never fear! My little test kitchen is all about cajun fixins lately, and I’m all about making these traditional flavors into amazing keto dishes. Then you can make your own low carb versions at home when you’re dreaming of your next trip to The Big Easy.

Now, for one of my favorite low carb family meals. Shall we start with keto jambalaya?

Bowls of Keto Jambalaya

🍽 Equipment for low carb jambalaya

New Orleans style keto jambalaya, made over low carb and gluten-free. #ketomeals #ketorecipes

🥘 Ingredients in this keto jambalaya recipe

  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 1 lb chicken breast, chopped into small chunks
  • 1 lb andouille sausage, thinly sliced in rounds
  • ½ cup diced celery
  • 1 cup chopped bell pepper
  • ¼ cup chopped onion
  • 1 tsp salt, (to taste)
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 cup chicken bone broth, (2 if you prefer it more like soup)
  • 1 14 oz. can fire-roasted tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp Creole seasoning
  • 1 tsp thyme, dried
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 12 oz pkg riced cauliflower (or make your own)
  • 1 lb deveined and peeled shrimp
  • 1-2 chopped jalapeños (for extra spice), optional

🔪 Instructions

How to make jambalaya keto style!

First of all, as I always say, get out all your ingredients and kitchen utensils. Second, use a large skillet or Dutch oven and melt the three tablespoons of butter. I prefer a Dutch oven simply because I tend to make a mess when I cook, and the Dutch oven gives you more room to work with this large recipe.
 
The first thing to go into the pot is the meat. When the butter’s melted, throw in the chicken pieces and round sausage slices. Now, stir it around with a spatula and cook it until it’s browned and cooked through. Then remove it from the pan and set aside in an extra bowl or on a plate.
 
Next, it’s time for the veggies! In the pot with the leftover butter and meat fat, put the celery, bell pepper, onion, garlic, salt, and black pepper to the pan to cook. It should take about 3-5 minutes or just until it’s all tender. Then, pour in the chicken bone broth and fire-roasted tomatoes.
 
Once that’s combined, go ahead and put in the other seasonings: Creole seasoning, thyme, cayenne pepper, bay leaf, and the jalapeño if using.
 
 
Bowl of keto jambalaya

🌶 How spicy should keto jambalaya be?

I am the first one to admit I am a complete wimp when it comes to spice. The andouille sausage and cayenne pepper add plenty of spice for me. However, if you love the traditional southern spice and want to kick it up a notch, throw in a chopped jalapeño or two.

Now, return the chicken and sausage to the pan with the vegetables and other ingredients and simmer for about 10 minutes. Then add in the riced cauliflower and the shrimp. I usually use deveined, peeled, tail-off shrimp because it’s easier to eat. On the other hand, you could leave the tail on to make it more impressive visually.

So then, cook it until the shrimp is pink, about 5-10 more minutes. Next, turn down the heat and simmer it to combine the flavors another 5-10 minutes. If needed, add more salt and pepper to your liking, sprinkle on some chopped Italian parsley and serve!

It’s one of those great one pot family keto dinners on its own or even with a low carb or no carb bread on the side for those people like my husband who insist upon it!

A bite of keto jambalaya will have you wanting more. Gluten-free and low carb, a spicy one-pot meal. #lowcarbrecipes #ketocajun

👩‍🍳 Variations: Keto jambalaya soup

Traditional jambalaya does not have a lot of liquid because the rice soaks it all up. However, I like a good soup or stew in winter and sometimes like to add more liquid. To make a stew, add 2 more cups of bone broth and simmer it to mix up all those delicious flavors.

If you want even more shrimp options for summer, try these amazing keto and low carb grilled lime cilantro shrimp skewers. 

My life a jambalaya,
 —and the truth a changing stew

- Unknown

Another option, especially with kids around, is to switch out one of the meats if say, shrimp isn’t their thing. I know it may sound like sacrilege, but you could switch out ground beef or ground turkey if one of the meats is not to their liking.

One other thing to try if you want a creamy jambalaya, is to add in 4 ounces of chopped cream cheese. It’s again, not traditional, but it’s great with the spices and meats.

Enjoy!

🏕 Keto camping dinners

When we go camping as a family, I like to mix up the keto camping recipes. Other than the usual trout, hot dogs over the fire, and foil packet meat and veggies dinners, it’s good to add this low carb jambalaya to the keto camping foods!

I admit I have to be in an ambitious mood to try it, but it can be a popular option on the keto camping food list and something different to mix up your camping trip. I would suggest making it beforehand and warming it up in a cast-iron pot over the fire or camp stove. However, it is a keto camping food that could be made on site. I personally like to make my life easier and keep it in the cooler until ready to warm up.

Louisiana food and travel

Have you been to Louisiana? If so, what are your favorite things to do in New Orleans? My son tells me he wants to feed alligators and go to a New Orleans Saint’s game. My daughter wants to see the Spanish moss and southern mansions. I’ll do all of the above and eat some low carb jambalaya! Give me your tips for things to do in New Orleans with kids below!

Pin the recipe here!:

Amazing keto jambalaya is the perfect low carb pleaser for the whole family. Gluten-free spicy goodness, all in one-pot.

Tag me in your recipe pics on Instagram @explorermomma.

If you LOVE this recipe please consider giving it a five-star rating in the review area below! And maybe try these babies for dessert: Keto Cinnamon Pecan Cookies. Yum!

Cinnamon Pecan Cookies, overhead square

🥣 More keto dinner recipes

  1. Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Bake
  2. Keto Taco Soup
  3. Creamy Keto Italian Sausage Soup
  4. Keto Cheddar Focaccia
  5. Antipasto Salad
  6. Keto Gumbo
  7. Easy Keto Paella

Or for more shrimp try Low Carb Bang Bang Shrimp from Dr. Davinah’s Eats.

📖 Printable recipe card

Fabulous one-pot meal, keto jambalaya is not only low carb but delicious and gluten-free. A traditional family southern dinner. #ketojambalaya #ketodinners

Keto Jambalaya

Yield: 8
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Imagine yourself down to Louisiana for an amazing keto jambalaya! All the spice, all the andouille sausage flavor, and all the fun for your tastebuds in a low carb one-pot meal.

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 1 lb chicken breast, chopped into small chunks
  • 1 lb andouille sausage, thinly sliced in rounds
  • 1 cup chopped bell pepper
  • 1/2 cup diced celery
  • 1/4 cup chopped onion
  • 1 tsp salt, (to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 cup chicken bone broth, (2 if you prefer it more like soup)
  • 1 14 oz. can fire-roasted tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp Creole seasoning
  • 1 tsp thyme, dried
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 12 oz pkg riced cauliflower (or make your own)
  • 1 lb deveined and peeled shrimp
  • 1-2 chopped jalapeños (for extra spice), optional

Instructions

  1. Melt the three tablespoons of butter in a large skillet or dutch oven. Cook the chicken and the sausage then remove from the pan and set aside.
  2. Put the celery, bell pepper, onion, garlic, salt, and black pepper to the pan and cook for about 3-5 minutes or until tender.
  3. Add in the chicken bone broth, fire-roasted tomatoes, Creole seasoning, thyme, cayenne pepper, bay leaf, and jalapeño if using. 
  4. Return the chicken and sausage to the pan and simmer about 10 minutes. Then add in the riced cauliflower and shrimp, and cook until the shrimp is cooked and pink, about 5-10 more minutes. Simmer to combine flavors another 5-10 minutes.
  5. If needed, add more salt and pepper to taste. Serve!

Notes

Nutrition Facts

Servings 8.0 Amount Per Serving Calories 336  Total Fat 21 g Saturated Fat 8 g Monounsaturated Fat 1 g Polyunsaturated Fat 0 g Trans Fat 0 g Cholesterol 161 mg Sodium 2092 mg Potassium 164 mg Total Carbohydrate 6 g Dietary Fiber 1 g Sugars 2 g Protein 36 g

*Nutrition Facts per MyFitnessPal.com. For most accurate facts, calculate your own with the exact ingredients you use in the recipe.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 336Unsaturated Fat: 0g

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @explorermomma on Instagram and hashtag it #explorermomma. Thanks a bunch!

Nutrition Disclaimer

Please be aware I am not a medical specialist or nutritional professional. On this blog, I share recipes and what works for me. Please do not take anything on this blog as medical advice and always consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program.
 
I use MyFitnessPal.com to calculate nutrition facts as a courtesy to my readers, and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count because does not affect my own blood glucose levels.
 
 
This is as accurate as possible, but it’s best to independently calculate nutritional information on your own with the specific ingredients you use. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.

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Karen

Wednesday 28th of September 2022

So good!! My whole family loved it. This recipe is a keeper.

Lauren

Wednesday 28th of September 2022

Awesome! I'm so glad you liked it - we do too!

Olivia

Thursday 29th of April 2021

Hello! Could you clarify your nutritional facts! You put 1 gram is a serving but 1 gram isn’t even a cup, so I’m a little lost haha. That’s a lot of calories for just 1 gram!

Lauren

Friday 30th of April 2021

You're right! The system plugged in one gram when I changed recipe card formats - sorry about that! The nutrition facts are for 1/8 of the recipe.

Susan

Monday 15th of March 2021

I thought this was excellent! I kept the peppers, onions and celery long (about 1 inch) and didn't use chicken. I actually did this in a wok which worked great. Didn't add the shrimp until the last 8 minutes. Just finished eating and used a spoon! The flavors were phenomenal. I'm going to the beach with friends in a week and will make it one night.

Lauren

Monday 15th of March 2021

Yum! Sounds good, and I think the wok idea is perfect. Glad you liked it!

Lee

Saturday 21st of November 2020

This looks so good, can't wait to make it! The 2 tablespoons cajun seasoning sounds about right for us, some will add more to their plates! You mentioned what to do in Louisiana, highly recommend a swamp. tour on an airboat, fascinating and exciting if you come across alligators! Also, cemetaery tours, super interesting there. Lastly, the WWII Museum in NO is definitely worth at. least half a day visit. So much for kids and adults alike to learn about in that important part of history!

Corinne

Wednesday 21st of October 2020

Oh my gosh - SOO good! No salt added and skipped the chicken to reduce calories a bit. I used shrimp broth instead of chicken broth. Also no jalapeño. I am super excited for leftovers tomorrow!!

Lauren

Wednesday 21st of October 2020

Sounds fabulous! I'm glad you liked it!

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This post may include Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I only mention products or services I genuinely love and would recommend to a friend.
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