Here’s a Cajun chicken & sausage gumbo—deep, smoky, and comforting, just like it should be 🍲🔥
This is a no-tomato Cajun-style gumbo with a dark roux.
Cajun Chicken & Sausage Gumbo
Ingredients
Roux
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (or lard)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Gumbo
- 1 lb chicken thighs, cut into chunks
- 12–14 oz andouille sausage, sliced
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups chicken stock (hot)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1–2 tsp Cajun seasoning (to taste)
- 1/2–1 tsp cayenne (optional)
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional but great)
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Green onions & parsley, chopped (for garnish)
To Serve
- Cooked white rice
- Hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the meats
- Season chicken lightly with salt and pepper.
- In a heavy pot or Dutch oven, brown sausage first; remove and set aside.
- Brown chicken in the same pot; remove and set aside.
- Make the roux
- Add oil and flour to the pot over medium heat.
- Stir constantly for 20–30 minutes, until the roux is a deep chocolate brown.
(Go slow—this is the heart of gumbo.)
- Add the Trinity
- Stir in onion, bell pepper, and celery.
- Cook 5 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic; cook 30 seconds.
- Build the gumbo
- Gradually whisk in hot stock.
- Add bay leaves, thyme, Cajun seasoning, cayenne, paprika, Worcestershire, sausage, and chicken.
- Simmer
- Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cook 45–60 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Finish & serve
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Remove bay leaves.
- Serve over rice, topped with green onions and parsley.
Gumbo Tips (Cajun Style)
- Darker roux = deeper flavor (but never burnt).
- Gumbo should be thin but rich, not thick like stew.
- No okra or filé needed for this version—just pure Cajun style.
- Even better the next day.
Optional Add-Ins
- Okra (add during last 20 minutes)
- Shrimp (add last 5–7 minutes)
- Duck instead of chicken (very traditional)
If you want, I can also share:
- a seafood gumbo
- smoked chicken gumbo
- or the fast dark-roux method
Just say the word ⚜️
