Description
Spicy Cajun chicken and sausage gumbo brings Louisiana’s rich culinary heritage to your dinner table with bold, soulful flavors. Hearty ingredients meld together, creating a comforting one-pot meal you’ll savor down to the last delicious spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 2 lbs chicken thighs
- 1 lb andouille sausage
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 large onion
- 2 bell peppers
- 3 celery stalks
- 4 garlic cloves
Seasonings and Thickeners:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 green onions
- 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Prepare a large Dutch oven and heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat, creating a robust foundation for the rich Cajun gumbo.
- Carefully craft a dark roux by whisking flour continuously for 15-20 minutes, developing a deep mahogany color that will provide intense depth and complexity to the dish.
- Incorporate diced onions, bell peppers, celery, and minced garlic into the roux, stirring until vegetables become translucent and fragrant, releasing their aromatic essence.
- Introduce andouille sausage, allowing it to caramelize and infuse the mixture with smoky, spicy undertones that define authentic Cajun cuisine.
- Add chicken thighs, seasoning generously with Cajun spice blend, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, and cayenne for a bold, vibrant flavor profile.
- Pour chicken broth into the pot, stirring to integrate all ingredients, and add bay leaves to enhance the overall taste complexity.
- Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 60-75 minutes, allowing the chicken to become tender and the flavors to meld harmoniously.
- Remove bay leaves and carefully shred the chicken using two forks, ensuring even distribution throughout the gumbo.
- Stir in Worcestershire sauce to add a subtle tangy undertone and brighten the dish’s robust flavor.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and green onions just before serving, providing a fresh, herbaceous contrast to the rich, hearty gumbo.
- Serve hot over steamed rice, inviting diners to experience the full, layered flavors of this classic Cajun comfort dish.
Notes
- Master the roux by stirring constantly and watching the color transform from pale to deep mahogany, which creates the foundational flavor of authentic Cajun gumbo.
- Control spice levels by adjusting cayenne pepper and selecting milder andouille sausage for those with lower heat tolerance, ensuring everyone can enjoy this robust dish.
- Select dark meat chicken thighs for maximum tenderness and flavor absorption, preventing dry meat and maintaining the gumbo’s rich, succulent texture.
- Prep vegetables in advance to streamline cooking process and ensure even, consistent chopping that melts seamlessly into the complex gumbo base.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 75 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 860 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg