Creole Chicken Gumbo
A hearty Creole chicken gumbo packed with vegetables, tender chicken, and shrimp, rich in flavors and perfect for a comforting meal with a touch of spice.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cut celery and leaves ⓘ
- 1 large onion, chopped ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. flour ⓘ
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil ⓘ
- 2 cups chicken broth ⓘ
- 1 (16 oz.) can tomatoes (undrained) ⓘ
- 1 green pepper, chopped ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. thyme ⓘ
- 2 cups sliced okra ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. chopped parsley ⓘ
- salt to taste ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. Tabasco ⓘ
- 2 cups cooked chicken ⓘ
- 1 bag frozen shrimp, cooked ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook celery, onion, and flour in oil for 5 minutes, stirring as needed.
- Add broth, tomatoes, green pepper, bay leaf, thyme, okra, parsley, salt, and Tabasco; stir well.
- Cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- Add cooked chicken and shrimp.
- Heat through.
- Serve over rice.
- Add Tabasco to taste.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding smoked sausage or andouille to the gumbo. Fresh okra is preferable, but frozen works well if you’re short on time. Feel free to substitute the chicken with turkey or a mix of your favorite proteins. If you prefer a thicker gumbo, use a bit more flour or let it reduce longer while cooking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your Creole Chicken Gumbo over a bed of fluffy rice for a hearty meal. A side of crusty French bread or a simple green salad, like a Creole Chicken And Mushroom Salad, pairs perfectly. For an authentic experience, consider offering hot sauce on the side for those who enjoy extra heat.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stove over medium heat, adding a splash of broth if it has thickened too much. Alternatively, use the microwave, heating in short intervals and stirring frequently until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Creole Chicken Gumbo contains roughly 369 calories, with 12g protein, 55g carbohydrates, and 13g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (106% of the Daily Value), iron (44% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (32% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2345mg per serving (102% 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 gumbo ahead of time?
Absolutely! Gumbo often tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld. Just prepare it in advance, cool it completely, and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, reheat as described above to enjoy its full flavor.
Can I use frozen chicken or shrimp?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken and shrimp in this recipe. Just ensure the chicken is cooked thoroughly, and add the shrimp towards the end of cooking since they only need to be heated through. This makes preparation easier and quicker without sacrificing flavor.
What can I use instead of okra?
If you're not a fan of okra, you can substitute it with diced zucchini or chopped green beans. While the texture will differ slightly, these alternatives will still provide a nice vegetable element to your gumbo. You can also omit it entirely if desired.
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).