Dave'S Chicken Gumbo
Dave's Chicken Gumbo is a hearty, flavorful dish blending tender chicken, tomatoes, and spices, perfect for comforting family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped onion ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons oil ⓘ
- 6 cups water ⓘ
- 8 ounces canned whole tomatoes, crushed ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups diced cooked chicken ⓘ
- 1 cup cooked white rice ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or salt ⓘ
- 6 ounces can tomato paste ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large pot, sauté onions and bell pepper in oil until tender.
- Stir in water, crushed tomatoes, and tomato paste. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in diced cooked chicken, cooked white rice, thyme, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For added depth of flavor, consider adding a dash of cayenne pepper to give the gumbo a subtle heat. You can substitute the cooked chicken with shredded rotisserie chicken for convenience. If you prefer a vegetarian version, replace chicken with black beans and use vegetable broth instead of water. Fresh herbs like parsley can enhance the dish's freshness.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the gumbo hot, garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of color. Pair it with crusty bread or a simple green salad for a complete meal. It also goes well with a side of cornbread, enhancing the Southern comfort food experience. For an interesting twist, try serving it alongside Chicken Jambaloga for a delightful potluck option.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm on the stove over medium heat, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the gumbo. It can also be microwaved in short intervals, stirring in between, until heated through. Freezing is possible, but the rice may become mushy upon thawing.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Dave'S Chicken Gumbo contains roughly 589 calories, with 9g protein, 62g carbohydrates, and 36g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (183% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (31% of the Daily Value), and iron (23% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1038mg per serving (45% 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 use frozen vegetables instead of fresh?
Yes, frozen vegetables can be a convenient substitute and will still provide good flavor and texture. Just add them to the pot along with the water and tomatoes, and cook until they are heated through. This can save time and reduce prep work while still delivering a satisfying gumbo.
How can I thicken my gumbo?
If your gumbo is too thin, you can thicken it by mixing a tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water and stirring it into the boiling gumbo. Allow it to simmer for a few more minutes until it reaches your desired consistency. Alternatively, you can also let it simmer longer to reduce the liquid naturally.
What can I do if I don’t have tomato paste?
If you don’t have tomato paste, you can use an equal amount of crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce as a substitute. Keep in mind that this may alter the flavor slightly, so you might want to add a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity. Adjust seasoning to taste as needed.
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).