Chicken Gumbo Peanut Soup
A hearty and flavorful chicken gumbo peanut soup with smoky paprika, tender chicken, okra, and creamy peanut butter, perfect for comforting meals and lively gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup flour ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons paprika ⓘ
- 2 1/2 to 3 pounds broiler chicken, cut up ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons cooking oil ⓘ
- 1 large green pepper, chopped ⓘ
- 1 medium onion, chopped ⓘ
- 3 cups water ⓘ
- 3 medium tomatoes, finely chopped ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons salt ⓘ
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper ⓘ
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter ⓘ
- 2 cups sliced fresh okra or 10 oz. frozen okra ⓘ
- 1 (4 1/2 oz.) can medium shrimp, drained and deveined ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine flour and paprika, then coat the chicken pieces with the mixture.
- In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, brown the chicken slowly in hot cooking oil over medium heat for about 15 minutes, turning to brown evenly.
- Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Cook green pepper and onion in pan drippings until tender but not brown.
- Spoon off excess fat from the pan.
- Add water, chopped tomatoes, salt, cayenne pepper, and the chicken pieces to the pan.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- In a small saucepan, heat the peanut butter on low until melted.
- Gradually blend in about 1 cup of hot chicken broth from the mixture.
- Return all the mixture to the chicken and vegetable mixture in the large pan.
- Stir in okra and shrimp; bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes or until the chicken is tender.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, you can add a bay leaf while simmering. If you want a spicier kick, increase the cayenne pepper. For a richer taste, consider using homemade chicken broth instead of water. If fresh okra is unavailable, frozen okra works well. For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with firm tofu and use vegetable broth.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the gumbo peanut soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley or green onions. It pairs wonderfully with cornbread or rice to soak up the flavorful broth. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside a side salad or a dish like Braised Chicken And Cabbage for a hearty combination.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the soup on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. You can also add a splash of water or broth to loosen the soup if it thickens too much after refrigeration.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken Gumbo Peanut Soup contains roughly 604 calories, with 21g protein, 64g carbohydrates, and 32g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (98% of the Daily Value), protein (42% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (38% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1831mg per serving (80% 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 soup ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the gumbo peanut soup a day in advance. Just reheat it gently on the stove before serving. The flavors often develop further overnight, making it even more delicious.
Is it possible to freeze this soup?
Absolutely! You can freeze the soup for up to 3 months. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove until hot.
What can I use instead of creamy peanut butter?
If you're looking for alternatives, you can use almond butter or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option. Keep in mind that the flavor will vary slightly, but they will still provide a creamy texture.
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).