Chicken Gumbo Recipe (with Chicken Andouille Sausage)

Name: Chicken Gumbo Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 6 h 10 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients: ½ cup avocado oil; ½ cup cassava root flour; 3 chicken andouille sausages, chopped; 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chopped; 4 cups chicken bone broth; 2 cups chopped okra; 2 cups diced tomatoes; 4 mini peppers, diced; ½ cup baby carrots; 1½ cups potatoes, chopped; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; ¼ teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon oregano, dried; ½ teaspoon thyme, dried; ½ teaspoon smoked paprika; ¼ teaspoon cayenne; 3 bay leaves; ½ teaspoon sea salt; 1 teaspoon pepper

June 28, 2023 by Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CN

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Have you ever tried making your own chicken gumbo? It may seem a little intimidating because of the mix of ingredients and need for a thickener to give it that traditional gumbo taste and texture, but making gumbo is actually really easy, especially when it’s a slow cooker recipe.

For my chicken gumbo, I use some traditional gumbo ingredients, like okra and a roux (except mine is made from avocado oil and cassava flour). I also use chicken andouille sausage, chicken breast, chicken bone broth and a mix of veggies and spices.

What you’re left with is a gluten-free, Paleo-friendly meal that’s filling and delicious. And the best part is that it takes very little effort — just prep your ingredients and throw them in a slow cooker!

What Is Gumbo?

Gumbo is a type of stew that originated in Louisiana during the 18th century. The dish combines ingredients from many cultures and culinary practices. Really, you can add just about any vegetables, meat, stock and spices to a thickener and make your own gumbo. But traditionally, gumbo was based on West African dishes.

Did you know that the name “gumbo” is said to derive from a West African name for okra? This suggests that in the original gumbo recipes, okra was used as a staple ingredient that served as the thickening agent.

Gumbo is also traditionally made with a roux, which originated in French cuisine. The roux serves as the base and gives gumbo its unique nutty flavor and smell. The longer you cook your roux, the darker and more flavorful it will become.

Nutrition Facts

One serving of chicken gumbo made using this recipe contains roughly the following:

345 calories
20.6 grams protein
20.3 grams fat
21.2 grams carbohydrates
3.2 grams fiber
5.2 grams sugar
48.9 milligrams vitamin C (65 percent DV*)
0.8 milligrams vitamin B6 (62 percent DV*)
7.8 milligrams vitamin B3 (56 percent DV*)
464 milligrams sodium (43 percent DV*)
20.7 micrograms selenium (38 percent DV*)
226 milligrams phosphorus (32 percent DV)
637 IUs vitamin A (27 percent DV*)
0.44 milligrams manganese (25 percent DV*)

*Daily Value: Percentages are based on a diet of 2,000 calories a day.

As you can see, it’s a perfectly balanced macronutrient meal, with almost the same amount of carbs, protein and fat.

Here’s a quick glance at some of the top health benefits associated with the ingredients in this chicken gumbo recipe:

Organic chicken: Organic, free-range chicken is an excellent source of protein, which is a vital component of your diet. Studies indicate that eating high-protein foods will help you maintain and lose weight, improve your focus and concentration, stabilize your blood sugar levels, boost your energy levels and support the proper absorption of nutrients.
Okra: Okra is a great source of antioxidants, fiber, vitamin C, magnesium, vitamin A and calcium. Okra nutrition can help to improve the health of your heart, reduce fatigue, support healthy bones, help to lower your cholesterol levels, improve your eyesight and aid your digestion.
Avocado oil: I love cooking with avocado oil because it’s full of healthy fats, including essential fatty acids and oleic acid. Avocado oil can also be used uncooked in salads and dips or in cooked recipes because it has a very high smoke point, making it a safe oil to use in this slow cooker recipe.
Cassava flour: Cassava flour is a gluten-free flour that has a neutral taste and can easily be used in place of white flour. For anyone with a food allergy, cassava flour is a great choice because it’s also grain- and nut-free; plus, it’s lower in calories, fat and sugar than wheat bread.

How to Make Gumbo

The first step to making this chicken gumbo recipe is the roux. Combine avocado oil and cassava flour in a medium saucepan.

On medium heat, whisk the flour and oil to create a dark roux, which will take about 15 minutes. This will be used to thicken your gumbo and add a silky smooth texture.

Next, start chopping your chicken gumbo ingredients and adding them to the slow cooker.

This includes the mini peppers, okra and potatoes. Then chop the three chicken andouille sausages and the two boneless, skinless chicken breasts.

Now all of your ingredients are ready to be added to the slow cooker.

Add your roux first. Then add your chopped veggies, sausage and chopped chicken breast.

Next add in the diced tomatoes, baby carrots and your spices and herbs.

Finally, add in the chicken bone broth.

Set your slow cooker on low for 6 to 8 hours. (You can also make this in a big stockpot.)

When your chicken gumbo is ready, serve it over riced cauliflower or brown rice to make this meal even more filling. Enjoy!

Other Great Chicken Dishes from Different Cultures

Here are some main dishes from other cultures that also feature chicken: