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!

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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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?

🍽 Equipment for low carb jambalaya

• a skillet or dutch oven
• a spatula
• knife and cutting board
• extra plate or bowl
• serving spoon

🥘 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!

🌶 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!

👩‍🍳 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!:

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!

🥣 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

Continue to Content

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.

Print

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

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