This is How To Make Jambalaya Weight Watchers Pleasant

This lightened-up Jambalaya brings all of the smoky, spicy goodness of the basic Cajun dish with out sacrificing taste. Loaded with lean hen, sausage, shrimp, and veggies, it’s a hearty, one-pot meal coming in at simply 2 WW Factors per serving.

By decreasing the quantity of rice and swapping conventional Andouille sausage for lean smoked turkey sausage, we’ve stored the flavors daring however the factors low. Take a look at our different Weight Watchers dinner recipes for extra scrumptious meal prep inspiration!

Why Ought to You Attempt Jambalaya?

There are numerous causes to like Jambalaya, however listed below are 4 that stand out:

1. A Full Meal in One Pot: Jambalaya is the right one-pot dish, combining protein, carbohydrates, and greens in each chew. The result’s a meal that feels full, without having for additional sides.
2. Full of Taste: The Cajun and Creole spices, mixed with smoky sausage and a contact of warmth from cayenne or chili, make this dish a flavor-packed powerhouse. You possibly can alter the spice stage to your liking, making it as delicate or daring as you favor.
3. Excellent for Gatherings: Jambalaya is a incredible dish for sharing. Whether or not it’s an informal Sunday dinner or a celebration, this recipe creates sufficient to feed a crowd whereas protecting everybody impressed with its wealthy flavors.
4. Adaptable and Weight Watchers-Pleasant: Whereas conventional jambalaya is likely to be larger in factors as a result of sausage and rice, utilizing lean proteins and a decreased quantity of rice makes it far more manageable. Plus, the vast majority of the dish is filled with zero-point elements like greens, which is at all times a bonus.

Prep Time: quarter-hour

Cook dinner Time: 45 minutes

Servings: 6 

Serving Dimension: Roughly 1 1/2 cups (375 ml)

2 WW Factors Per Serving. You possibly can view the recipe on the WW App right here. (WW login required.)

Substances

• 1 cup smoked turkey sausage, sliced (150 g)
• 1 teaspoon olive oil (5 ml)
• 1 medium white onion, finely chopped (150 g)
• 3 celery stalks, diced (120 g)
• 1 pink bell pepper, diced (150 g)
• 1 inexperienced bell pepper, diced (150 g)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small chili pepper, reminiscent of ají chirel, finely chopped (optionally available)
• 1 massive hen breast, cubed (200 g)
• 3 medium tomatoes, grated (300 g)
• 1 cup long-grain rice, rinsed (200 g)
• 4 cups hen or seafood broth (1 liter)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon floor allspice
• Salt and freshly floor black pepper, to style
• 12 massive shrimp, peeled and deveined (200 g)

Directions

1. Sauté the Sausage: Warmth the olive oil in a big pot over medium warmth. Add the turkey sausage slices and sauté for 3-4 minutes till evenly browned. Take away the sausage from the pot and put aside. 
2. Sauté the Veggies: In the identical pot, add the onion, celery, bell peppers, garlic, and chili pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes till the greens are mushy and aromatic.
3. Add Hen: Stir within the cubed hen breast. Cook dinner for five minutes, stirring sometimes, till the hen is evenly browned on the skin.
4. Incorporate Tomatoes and Spices: Add the grated tomatoes, bay leaf, allspice, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir nicely to mix and let the combination prepare dinner for 3-4 minutes to launch the flavors.
5. Add the Rice and Broth: Pour within the rinsed rice and hen or seafood broth. Stir gently to make sure the rice is evenly distributed and submerged. Return the sausage to the pot. Carry the combination to a boil, then scale back the warmth to low. Cowl the pot with a lid and let it simmer for 25 minutes, stirring sometimes.
6. Add the Shrimp: After 25 minutes, gently stir within the shrimp. Cowl the pot and prepare dinner for a further 3 minutes, or till the shrimp are pink and totally cooked, and the rice is tender.
7. Alter Seasoning and Serve: Style the Jambalaya and alter the seasoning with further salt and pepper, if wanted. Take away the bay leaf earlier than serving. Serve scorching, garnished with chopped parsley or inexperienced onions if desired.

Variations and Substitutions

The most effective issues about Jambalaya is its versatility. Listed here are just a few concepts to make this dish your personal:

1. Swap the Rice: In case you’re on the lookout for a lower-carb choice, substitute some or the entire rice with cauliflower rice. You’ll preserve the dish lighter whereas nonetheless having fun with its hearty texture.
2. Alter the Spice Stage: Conventional jambalaya leans closely on spice, however you’ll be able to tone it down or dial it up relying in your desire. Cayenne pepper, chili flakes, or perhaps a sprint of scorching sauce can add warmth with out overwhelming the opposite flavors.
3. Attempt Completely different Proteins: Whereas this recipe makes use of turkey sausage, shrimp and hen, you’ll be able to experiment with different choices like crawfish, and even lean pork. 
4. Add Extra Veggies: To spice up the dietary worth, take into account including additional greens like zucchini, broccoli florets, and even okra. These additions gained’t enhance factors however will make the dish even heartier.

Suggestions and Tips for the Excellent Jambalaya

1. Cook dinner Shrimp Individually: Many recipes embody shrimp within the early phases, however this typically results in overcooked, rubbery shrimp. As an alternative, prepare dinner the shrimp individually and stir them in on the very finish for completely tender outcomes.
2. Use Home made Inventory: For a extra flavorful base, use do-it-yourself shrimp inventory or a high-quality store-bought broth. A fast shrimp inventory produced from shells will elevate the dish considerably.
3. Rinse Your Rice: Earlier than including rice to the pot, rinse it completely below chilly water to take away extra starch. This step helps forestall the dish from turning into overly sticky and ensures the grains prepare dinner evenly.
4. Select the Proper Sausage: Go for lean turkey sausage or hen sausage to chop down on factors whereas nonetheless getting that smoky, savory taste important to jambalaya.
5. Let It Relaxation: As soon as the Jambalaya is completed cooking, let it sit lined for a couple of minutes. This permits the flavors to meld collectively and the rice to soak up any remaining liquid.