Description
This Slow Cooker Gumbo is a hearty, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken thighs, spicy andouille sausage, and the classic Holy Trinity of Cajun cooking—onion, bell pepper, and celery. Slow-cooked to perfection with a blend of spices and fire-roasted tomatoes, it delivers rich, comforting flavors ideal for a cozy meal served over fluffy rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 pound andouille sausage sliced into ½-inch pieces
Vegetables
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper seeded and diced
- 3 celery stalks chopped
- 15 ounces fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 3 teaspoons garlic minced
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 bay leaves
Liquids and Thickeners
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- ¼ cup cornstarch
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Add the chicken thighs, andouille sausage, diced onion, green bell pepper, celery, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, minced garlic, black pepper, paprika, onion powder, Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, and chicken broth to the slow cooker. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well mixed, then place the bay leaves on top.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 6 hours until the chicken is tender and flavors are melded together.
- Thicken the Gumbo: Remove the bay leaves. Scoop out ½ cup of the cooking broth and whisk it together with the cornstarch until smooth. Pour this mixture back into the gumbo and stir well to combine.
- Finish Cooking: Continue cooking the gumbo uncovered for an additional 15 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken to the desired consistency.
- Serve: Spoon the hot gumbo over cooked rice. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- The "Holy Trinity" (onion, bell pepper, and celery) is key to authentic Gulf Coast gumbo flavor.
- Andouille sausage and Cajun seasoning can be quite salty—taste the gumbo before adding any extra salt.
- Adjust spice level by adding more cayenne pepper or hot sauce for heat, or reduce for a milder taste.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 3 months for convenient future meals.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
