Forest Park Chicken Gumbo with Andouille Sausage
A hearty, slow-simmered gumbo featuring tender chicken, spicy andouille sausage, and the holy trinity of Cajun vegetables in a rich, dark roux broth. This cajun-inspired soups ready in about 100 minutes pairs vegetable oil, all-purpose flour, large yellow onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 3 celery stalks, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 12 oz andouille sausage, sliced
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into chunks
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 cups cooked white rice
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large heavy pot over medium heat, whisk together 1/3 cup vegetable oil and 1/3 cup all-purpose flour constantly for 15-20 minutes until the roux turns a deep chocolate brown color and smells nutty.
- Step 2: Add 1 large diced yellow onion, 1 diced green bell pepper, 3 diced celery stalks, and 4 minced garlic cloves to the roux. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
- Step 3: Stir in 12 oz sliced andouille sausage and 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thigh chunks. Cook for 5 minutes until the sausage browns and chicken starts to firm.
- Step 4: Pour in 6 cups chicken broth, add 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp dried thyme, 2 bay leaves, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring the gumbo to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally until thickened.
- Step 5: Remove bay leaves, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve the gumbo hot over 4 cups cooked white rice. Garnish each serving with 1/4 cup chopped green onions and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Forest Park Chicken Gumbo with Andouille Sausage take to make?
Total time is about 100 minutes (20 min prep + 80 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Forest Park Chicken Gumbo with Andouille Sausage?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep vegetable oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Forest Park Chicken Gumbo with Andouille Sausage?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Forest Park Chicken Gumbo with Andouille Sausage for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Forest Park Chicken Gumbo with Andouille Sausage?
Cajun soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
Equipment for this recipe
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