Meals Matter

Dewana's Quick Cajun Gumbo

Contributed By: dewana
Dewana Young

Gumbo made quick and easy without loosing that Cajun Taste.

Ingredients

8 Chicken Breasts (Skinless/Boneless)

1 Small Jar Dark Roux (Any Brand or See Recipe)

2 pkg. Frozen Sweet Pic Seasoning Mix (Onions;Peppers; Celery, etc.)

1 pkg. Frozen Chopped Bell Peppers

1 Small Jar of minced Garlic (May subsitute with 1/4 cup Garlic Powder)

1/4 cup Onion Powder

1/4 cup Dried Parsley (May substitute with fresh chopped parsley)

Zatarain's Cajun Seasoning to Taste, or start with 1/8 cup. (May substitue with favorite cajun seasoning.)

1 pinch Red Pepper

1 Gal. Water (Approximately)

Preparation

Cut Chicken Breast into large pieces, approximately 2X2 thick chuncks. Sprinkle lightly with Zatarain's. Place in a large soup or gumbo pot. Fill pot with water (leaving room to add other ingredients). Bring chicken to a boil; reduce heat to medium; put a lid on the pot and boil about 20 minutes or until chicken is plump and white. Spoon chicken out of water and set aside. DO NOT THROW OUT THE WATER.

Add the roux to the water, and dissolve well. Be sure to stir the bottom and sides of pot checking for undissolved roux. To help it along take two slotted spoons, smash the roux between spoons while dipping in the water to dissolve large chuncks. After all the roux is completely dissolved add the chicken back to the pot.

Add all other ingredients to the pot. Add water to desired thickness (shouldn't be too thin). Season to taste, and allow to cook on medium (slow boil) for about another 20 to 25 minutes while stirring bottom of pot occassionally. You may then turn it on low until served. Continue stirring the bottom of the pot to keep chicken from sticking and burning. The longer it simmers the better the taste. However don't cook the chicken to pieces...leave them in chunks.

NOTE: When using cajun seasoning add a little at a time, stir then taste. Some cajun seasonings have more salt than others. If it is salty enough but doesn't have enough "kick" you can add a pinch of red pepper.

Serve over Hot Rice.

Cook's Notes

You may add sausage to this for Chicken/Sausage Gumbo. You may substitue the chicken with shrimp and/or crab if you like for Seafood Gumbo. Add whatever you like in your gumbo. You can't mess it up. However, if you add okra, you must pan fry or saute it down to reduce the slim, or your gumbo will be slimmy. You may also substitue the chicken breasts with a bag or package of chicken tenders. PUT MORE OR LESS MEAT DEPENDING ON AMOUNT OF PEOPLE SERVED.

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Recipe Details

Total Preparation Time: 15 to 30 minutes
Ingredients: Chicken & Turkey
Shellfish
Pork
Actual Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Number of Servings: More than 10
Special Features: Make Ahead
Meal Type: Entree