Comfort foods are always in style, and our Cajun Cornish Hen Jambalaya recipe is no exception.

Cajun Cornish Hen Jambalaya

The holidays are the perfect time to raise the bar and prepare some of the best foods you’ll eat all year.

So, go ahead and make that over-the-top dish you’ve always wanted to make because your family and friends are more than worth it!

We’re using RO*TEL® as a featured ingredient in our 100% delicious Cajun Cornish Hen Jambalaya, which provides extra zest and flavor to this recipe.

Keep reading to see how I made it!

C’mon in and gather around the fire! We’re not just talking about a literal fire, although fireplaces are pretty dope.

When I say, “Gather around the fire,” I’m referring to the symbolic heart and hearth of home and family.

The holidays are about family gatherings, and many family occasions are centered around food.

The holidays overflow with some of our most cherished recipes, from sweet potato pie to many hand-me-down family recipes.

Now take those recipes and take them to the next level!

Yes, indeed, this is delicious comfort food, and I think you’ll love it!

This Jambalaya recipe uses lots of fresh ingredients.

Many fresh ingredients went into this Cajun Cornish Hen Jambalaya recipe, garlic, onion, red, orange, and yellow bell peppers, celery, and diced jalapeños.

It all adds up to lots of intense flavors, and when you add two cans of RO*TEL® Original Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies, without a doubt, this recipe has a leg up on all the other jambalaya recipes.

Adding RO*TEL in my jambalaya gives it an extra kick found that’s missing in most jambalaya recipes.

A recipe this good should be a crime, well, maybe not!

You can’t call it jambalaya if there’s no okra in the pot, food snob or not.

Spicy jambalaya with okra is the best kind of foodie voodoo!

The same goes for the Andouille sausage; if it ain’t in the pot, don’t go calling it jambalaya. Call it something else.

And whatever you do, don’t call me late for dinner.

That’s an old saying my dad used to say back in the day, and you’ll completely understand when it comes to this yummy dish.

We picked up all of our ingredients and several cans of RO*TEL® Original Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies at our local neighborhood Walmart.

Shopping at Walmart is one-stop shopping at its finest. Add your RO*TEL® to this week’s shopping list and raise the bar at your family’s next holiday get-together.

Jambalaya Recipe with Cajun Cornish Hen

Ingredients:

1 pound Andouille sausage
2 cups Jasmine rice
Chicken or Vegetable broth or stock (replaces the water for the rice)
2 10-ounce cans of RO*TEL® Original Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies
1 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth or stock
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 small white or yellow onion, diced
2 celery ribs sliced thin
1 each small red, green, yellow, and orange bell pepper, chopped
4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
4 okra sliced thin
1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tablespoon freshly cracked black peppercorns
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flake
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon sea salt or Kosher salt

Directions:

Remove the lid from the Instant Pot, activate the Saute setting, and add two tablespoons of EVOO.
When the oil is hot, add the diced onion, chopped celery, red, green, yellow, and orange bell peppers, and minced garlic.
Saute until the onions are soft, about 3-4 minutes.
Add two cans of RO*TEL® Original Diced Tomatoes Green Chilies, crushed tomatoes, and four cups of chicken or vegetable broth or stock.
Add the Andouille sausage, Old Bay seasoning, Cajun seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, freshly cracked black peppercorns, red pepper flake, dried thyme, sea salt, or Kosher salt, and the okra, then gently mix the ingredients.
Allow the mixture to cook for 50 minutes, select the Warm setting, and let the jambalaya be steep.
According to the package directions, cook the Jasmine or another type of long-grain rice in a separate stockpot.

How to make Cajun Cornish Hens

Ingredients:

2 Cornish hens, thawed, rinsed, and patted dry
1 1/2 cups onions, chopped
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
1-2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
1 tablespoon sea salt or Kosher salt
1/2 tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon freshly cracked black peppercorns

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees
Thaw, rinse, and pat dry with paper two Cornish hens. Rub the hens down with a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.
Season the Cornish hens with Old Bay seasoning, Cajun seasoning, onion powder, sea salt or Kosher salt, and freshly cracked black peppercorns.
Stuff each Cornish hen with a mixture of chopped onions and minced garlic.
Add two tablespoons of EVOO to a 10-inch cast-iron skillet, and scattered into the skillet 1 cup of chopped onions.
Place the Cornish on top of the onions and tuck several sprigs of fresh rosemary under the wings and around the Cornish hens.
Place the skillet on the center rack of a 375-degree preheated oven — Cook for 1 hour.

How to serve

Using a sharp chef’s knife, cut the Cornish in half, spoon the jambalaya into a serving bowl, add a half-cup of rice and mix thoroughly. Add the half Cornish on top.
Garnish with fresh parsley.
Serve.

Now that you have the recipe, let’s get it to the kitchen and make something good happen.

Find more recipes to try below:

Easy Cornish Hens Recipe

Salmon Potato Bake Dinner Recipe

Instant Pot Spicy Australian Lamb Pho

Grilled Lamb Of Leg With Honey Mustard Marinade

30+ Recipes for Cornish Hens