Chicken And Sausage Gumbo
A hearty and flavorful gumbo featuring tender chicken, smoky sausage, and a rich, roux-based broth. Aromatic with onions, celery, green peppers, and seasoned with thyme, hot sauce, and Worcestershire, this dish offers a comforting taste of Southern cuisine perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour ⓘ
- vegetable cooking spray ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup sliced celery ⓘ
- 7 cups hot water ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons reduced sodium Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme ⓘ
- 4 cups cooked rice ⓘ
- 1/2 pound smoked sausage ⓘ
- 6 skinless chicken breast halves ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped green pepper ⓘ
- 2 bay leaves ⓘ
- 2 cloves minced garlic ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/2 cup sliced green onions (optional) ⓘ
Instructions
- Place flour in a 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan and bake at 400°F for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes until caramel-colored.
- Brown sausage in a Dutch oven or large skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat.
- Drain and pat dry with paper towels.
- Wipe drippings from the Dutch oven.
- Brown chicken breasts; drain and pat dry.
- Wipe drippings from the Dutch oven again.
- Cook onion, green pepper, and celery in the Dutch oven with cooking spray until tender; sprinkle with browned flour.
- Gradually stir in hot water; bring to a boil.
- Add sausage slices, chicken, garlic, bay leaves, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, thyme, salt, and green onions (optional).
- Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Serve the gumbo over cooked rice.
Tips & Substitutions
To achieve a richer flavor, consider adding a few tablespoons of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper for extra heat. If you don't have smoked sausage, any cooked sausage can be used as a substitute. For a quicker version, you can also use rotisserie chicken instead of browning raw chicken breasts. This dish pairs beautifully with Chicken Crescent Casserole for a complete meal.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the gumbo over a generous scoop of cooked rice to soak up the flavorful broth. Consider garnishing with sliced green onions for a fresh touch. It pairs well with a side of cornbread or a simple green salad to balance the richness. For a comforting addition, try serving with Hash Brown Casserole (Low-Fat Version).
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover gumbo in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it on the stove over medium heat, adding a splash of water if it has thickened. For longer storage, freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken And Sausage Gumbo contains roughly 1815 calories, with 56g protein, 373g carbohydrates, and 19g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (314% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (150% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2660mg per serving (116% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this gumbo ahead of time?
Yes, gumbo tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld. Prepare it a day ahead, let it cool, and store it in the refrigerator. Just reheat on the stove before serving. This is a great option for meal prep or for a gathering.
What kind of rice is best for serving with gumbo?
Long grain white rice is traditionally used, but you can also opt for brown rice or jasmine rice for a different flavor profile. Make sure to cook the rice separately and serve the gumbo over it to retain the gumbo's rich texture.
How can I make this gumbo spicier?
If you enjoy heat, add more hot sauce or include diced jalapeños while cooking. You can also increase the amount of cayenne pepper or use a spicier sausage. Adjust the spice level according to your preference for a personalized kick.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).