Easy Slow Cooker Jambalaya

Ok, so remember that site, Pinterest, I mentioned in the General Tso's post? Well...you can thank that site for this next recipe as well!!! There is only one recommendation I have for this recipe as well: If you are going to do the rice, either use the quick cook rice or (if you have to go the healthier route like I *tried* with brown basamati rice...or any rice that requires a longer cook time) add it in the beginning of the recipe instead of the last 30 minutes like the below instructions suggest. Or you can skip the headache and pass altogether! :)

**Before you begin, please note these are measurements for a 5 qt. crockpot. I will list alternative measurements for a 4- 4.5 qt. (as that is the size I have) at the end of the recipe.**

Ingredients

• 2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 lb. smoked sausage, cut into 2" slices
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 large green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes with juices
• 3 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 2 c. chicken broth
• 1 T. cajun or creole spices
• 1 tsp. dried thyme 
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 lb. extra large shrimp, peeled and deveined 
• 1 3/4 c. long-grain rice
• parsley (optional)

Combine chicken, sausage, onion, green pepper, celery, tomatoes, garlic, chicken broth, spice mix, thyme, and oregano in a large (5 qt.) slow cooker. Cook on low for 5 hours. Add shrimp and rice; raise heat to high and cook for 30 minutes more. Sprinkle with parsley. 

Here are the alternative measurements: 

• 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 (14 oz.) can no salt added diced tomatoes, with juices
• 1 c. long-grain rice (if desired)
• 1/2 bag of precooked, pre-peeled large frozen shrimp

Now, I don't have pictures of the jambalaya (Sorry...I thought I did) but I do have these photos. These little packets have become my new best friend!!! 

This is the Swanson Flavor Boost...the box is pretty self explanatory lol.
It was about $2 and change at my local commissary but I don't know how much
it cost at a regular grocery store. I would imagine not much more though.  

Here is a photo of the actual packet. All I needed was 2 for this recipe
and it worked like a charm!! I will definitely be stocking up on these bad boys!!!

Pictures of the Jambalaya to come...

[[Original recipe can be found here]]