Description
Hearty Cajun-style chicken and sausage stew brings Louisiana’s rich culinary heritage to your dinner table with bold, spicy flavors. Simmering with andouille sausage, tender chicken, and aromatic vegetables, you’ll savor a comforting one-pot meal that warms from the inside out.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (0.45 kilograms) chicken
- 12 ounces (340 grams) andouille sausage
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 cup bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 1 cup okra, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Cooking and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) vegetable oil
- 1 cup vegetable oil for roux
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon gumbo file powder
- Salt to taste
- Cooked white rice for serving
Instructions
- Generously coat chicken and sausage with robust Cajun seasoning, ensuring each piece is thoroughly covered for maximum flavor infusion.
- Heat oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium flame, creating a sizzling surface for meat caramelization.
- Sear meats until achieving a rich, golden-brown exterior, developing deep flavor complexity through controlled browning.
- Remove browned proteins and reserve, keeping them warm and preserving their delectable crust.
- Craft a traditional dark roux by whisking flour into remaining oil, continuously stirring to prevent burning and develop a deep mahogany color.
- Introduce aromatic vegetables – bell peppers, celery, onions, and garlic – to the roux, allowing them to soften and release their essential oils.
- Slowly stream chicken broth into the vegetable-roux mixture, creating a smooth, integrated base with no lumps.
- Incorporate sliced okra, freshly ground black pepper, fiery hot sauce, and gumbo file powder, stirring to distribute seasonings evenly.
- Carefully return seared meats to the simmering liquid, allowing them to gently cook and absorb surrounding flavors.
- Allow stew to simmer uncovered for approximately one hour, occasionally stirring to prevent bottom scorching and promote flavor melding.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, ensuring a balanced and vibrant flavor profile.
- Ladle the rich, aromatic stew over fluffy white rice, creating a comforting and satisfying Cajun-inspired meal.
Notes
- Mastering the roux is the secret to an authentic, rich Cajun stew with deep, complex flavors that will transport you straight to Louisiana.
- Searing meats before simmering locks in incredible taste and creates a beautiful golden-brown exterior that adds texture and depth to the dish.
- Slow cooking allows spices and ingredients to blend harmoniously, developing an intensely satisfying and comforting meal that warms you from the inside out.
- Gumbo file powder adds traditional Louisiana flair and provides a subtle sassafras undertone that elevates the entire stew’s authentic character.
- Stirring occasionally during the one-hour simmer prevents burning and ensures even distribution of spices and ingredients throughout the stew.
- Serving over white rice transforms this hearty stew into a complete, filling meal that balances the bold Cajun spices with a neutral, soft grain.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg