Chicken and Sausage File’ Gumbo


4 servings

My husband and I just got back from our first trip to New Orleans and I immediately had to hunt up a Sausage and Chicken file gumbo recipe after trying some of the authentic stuff while we were there.

1/2 pound cajun sausage, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
4 skinned bone-in chicken breasts [1 lb]
4 TBSP butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped  [I used the whole thing because I dig green pepper]
2 celery ribs, sliced
6 cups hot chicken broth, low sodium
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons Creole seasoning
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 to 1 teaspoon hot sauce
4 green onions, sliced
1 TBSP Filé powder
1 TBSP dried parsley

Preparation
Cook sausage in a Dutch oven over medium heat, stirring constantly, 5 minutes or until browned. Drain on paper towels, reserving drippings in Dutch oven. Set sausage aside.

  • Add 4 TBSP butter to drippings in Dutch oven. Add flour, and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, about 20-25 minutes, or until roux is chocolate colored.
  • Stir in onion, bell pepper, and celery; cook, stirring often, 8 minutes or until tender. 
  • *Gradually* add 6 cups hot water [stirring constantly], and bring mixture to a boil; add sausage, chicken, garlic, and next 5 ingredients. Reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 1 hour. 
  • Remove chicken and cool, [I put mine in a bowl with cold water to speed up the process]. Shred and add back to gumbo.—  While chicken is cooling enough to handle: stir in green onions and file' powder; cook for 30 more minutes—just toss chicken back in once shredded during this last cooking phase.
  • Remove bay leaves. 
Serve over hot cooked rice or with crust french bread.-- **We like to use just the bread because the rice tends to tame down the flavor. But that's just our personal preference.**
Garnish with additional green onion, if desired.

Why do I do this blog?

Well, because I like easy to make, flavorful dishes with a moderate fat count, and a wide variety of them. This blog is the perfect place to bring together all of my favorites for easy access to pull up to use when it's time to make dinner.