Slow-Simmered Creole Chicken Gumbo with Andouille Sausage
A hearty Creole gumbo simmered with smoky Andouille sausage, tender chicken, and a dark roux base, embodying the rich flavors of New Orleans cuisine. This creole-inspired soups ready in about 120 minutes pairs vegetable oil, all-purpose flour, chopped onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 12 oz sliced Andouille sausage
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into chunks
- 6 cups chicken stock
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tbsp cajun seasoning
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 4 cups cooked white rice
- to taste salt
- to taste freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large heavy pot over medium heat, whisk together 1/2 cup vegetable oil and 1/2 cup all-purpose flour. Stir constantly for 15-20 minutes until the roux reaches a dark brown color, similar to chocolate, taking care not to burn it.
- Step 2: Add 1 cup chopped onion, 1/2 cup chopped celery, 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper, and 3 cloves minced garlic to the roux. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 12 oz sliced Andouille sausage and cook for 3 minutes to release smoky flavors.
- Step 4: Add 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into chunks along with 6 cups chicken stock, 1 cup diced tomatoes, 1 tsp dried thyme, 2 bay leaves, and 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning. Bring to a boil.
- Step 5: Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally until the gumbo thickens and chicken is tender.
- Step 6: Remove bay leaves and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Step 7: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped green onions and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley just before serving.
- Step 8: Serve hot over 1 cup cooked white rice per serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Creole Chicken Gumbo with Andouille Sausage take to make?
Total time is about 120 minutes (30 min prep + 90 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 Slow-Simmered Creole 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 Slow-Simmered Creole 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 Slow-Simmered Creole 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 Slow-Simmered Creole Chicken Gumbo with Andouille Sausage?
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.
