Easy Chicken-Okra Gumbo

What is Gumbo? I am not sure why it is called gumbo, but I love the okra and other vegetables in the recipe. Many recipes for gumbo contain Andouille sausage or smoked ham. I haven't tried to prepare this dish until now. When I tested my recipe without sausage and ham, it is still very much "gumbo" like. I think the secret to having a smooth, velvet sauce is spending time making a roux. Go to this website to learn more about gumbo and making roux: http://www.gumbocooking.com/roux-for-gumbo.html. It provides excellent information and teaching about gumbo. Most of the spices are very common ones like cayenne, smoked paprika, Cajun seasonings, a lot of garlic, and even fresh jalapeno. I created this recipe for my own family without sausage and ham because I feel it is healthier. I use coconut oil instead of butter and olive oil, but feel free to use butter or any kind of oil for making the roux, which is the first step to having a successful gumbo. Another reason I love this dish is that it is served over rice. For me it is very close to home.

Ingredients:
1/2 lb. chicken breasts, cut into chunks
4 cups chicken broth
For the roux:
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Vegetables:
1 cup chopped onions
1 cup total of chopped celery, red and green bell pepper
2 fresh jalapeno or Thai bird chili, sliced
2 cups okra, cut into chunks
1 can stewed tomatoes (14.5oz)
Spices:
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne
1/4 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp Cajun seasoning
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp dried parsley
1 bay leaf

Directions:
In a medium saucepan, make a roux by adding oil and flour.

 Using a wire whisk, constantly stir the oil and flour on low heat for at least 30 minutes or until the roux becomes a deep amber color.

In the meantime, bring chicken broth to simmer. When the roux is ready, ladle broth slowly into the roux one cup at a time and stir to well combine. Turn heat off.

 

 

In a sauté pan, add 2 tbs of oil. Stir in onions, garlic, bell pepper, and celery.

Cook until the vegetables have wilted. Add all spices and Thai chili. Cook for 2 minutes or until smelling the aroma has released from them.

Add chicken. Coat chicken with all these spices.

 Add can of tomato. Pour  the roux and chicken broth into the chicken and mixture of spices, Add Okra

Bring to boil. Simmer for 30 minutes.

 Serve on top with rice.