Gumbo Giggles

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-04 · Updated 2026-04-04

A creamy Creole gumbo with a tropical twist, featuring chicken, shrimp, and coconut milk, garnished with edible flowers for a joyful presentation. This creole-inspired soups ready in about 75 minutes pairs chicken thighs, shrimp, chicken broth for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 45 min Serves 6 Creole cuisine 320 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 lb chicken thighs
8 oz shrimp
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced bell pepper
1/2 cup diced celery
3 cloves minced garlic
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp chicken bouillon
1/2 tsp thyme
2 bay leaves
1/2 cup coconut milk
1 cup sliced okra
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1 tbsp hot sauce
1/4 cup edible flowers

Equipment for this recipe

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Instructions

Step 1: Pat 1 lb chicken thighs dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, then cook chicken skin-side down for 4-5 minutes until golden; flip and cook 3 more minutes. Remove and set aside.
Step 2: Add 1 cup diced onion, 1/2 cup diced bell pepper, and 1/2 cup diced celery to the pot. Cook 5 minutes until softened, then stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 3: Add 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and cook 1 minute, then stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook 2 minutes to form a roux.
Step 4: Add 4 cups chicken broth, 1 tsp chicken bouillon, 1/2 tsp thyme, and 2 bay leaves. Bring to a simmer, then add chicken back to the pot. Cover and simmer 20 minutes.
Step 5: Stir in 1 cup sliced okra, 8 oz shrimp, 1/2 cup coconut milk, and 1 tbsp hot sauce. Simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes until shrimp turn pink and okra is tender. Discard bay leaves, remove chicken skin/bones, and stir in 1/4 cup sliced green onions. Garnish with 1/4 cup edible flowers and serve hot.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Gumbo Giggles take to make?

Total time is about 75 minutes (30 min prep + 45 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 Gumbo Giggles?

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 chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Gumbo Giggles?

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 Gumbo Giggles 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 Gumbo Giggles?

Creole 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.