Healthy Recipes: Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

Gumbo is gumbo because of the creole taste it provides. Add variety to this Healthy Kitchen recipe by adding different proteins, such as shrimp. Make a large batch ahead, and freeze it for up to 6 months.

Ingredients:

5 Tbsp Butter, divided

¼ cup Flour

16 ounces  Chicken breast, cubed

1 cup Chicken sausage, cut into half-rounds

2 cups White onion, diced

1 Tbsp Creole seasoning

6 each Garlic cloves, minced

1 cup  Celery, diced

½ cup Tomatoes, diced

1 cup Green bell pepper, diced

7 cups Low-Sodium chicken stock

2 each, Bay leaves

1 cup Okra, cut

2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

2 tsp Hot sauce (Tabasco)

½ tsp Black pepper

½ tsp Smoked paprika

2 cups Cooked brown rice

Method:

• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over low heat; add 4 tablespoons of butter. Cook for 2 minutes, swirling to coat pan. Gradually add flour to butter, stirring constantly with a whisk until smooth, making a roux. Increase heat to medium; cook for 8 minutes or until the flour mixture is caramel-colored, stirring frequently. Cook for 2 minutes or until mixture is chestnut-colored, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; slowly add 3 cups of warm chicken stock, stirring until smooth.


• Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large pot. Add chicken and cook for 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add onion, garlic, celery, tomatoes, creole seasoning, smoked paprika, chicken, sausage and bell peppers. Sauté for 3 minutes.


• Add roux and broth mixture, additional broth and bay leaves.


• Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer and continue to cook for 45 minutes.


• Add okra, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce and black pepper.


• Serve over brown rice.

Nutrition:

Serves: 8

Serving Size: ¼ cup rice with 1 cup gumbo

Calories: 370

Fat:  13 grams

Protein:  22 grams