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    Home » Recipes » Chicken » Slow Cooker Gumbo with Chicken and Sausage

    Published: Aug 25, 2022 · Modified: Apr 23, 2023 by Sarah Baumeister · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    Slow Cooker Gumbo with Chicken and Sausage

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This easy slow cooker gumbo with chicken and sausage is simple to prepare but bold in flavor. It’s full of protein from andouille sausage, chicken thighs, and red beans, and lots of good for you ingredients like veggies and spices! Instant Pot adaption instructions also included.

    finished gumbo with shredded chicken.

    I first made this recipe years ago. I had just come home from the hospital after the birth of my son, so I wasn’t doing much cooking. However, as soon as I was able, I carried my little one into the kitchen and with the help of Michael, got to work! It was a fun first foray back into cooking!

    We call this dish by all different names. Red beans and rice, gumbo, cajun stew. I’m not sure how perfectly traditional this "gumbo" is. But I do know all the right flavors are there! We have andouille sausage, smoked paprika, red beans, and even a little file powder.

    Soup recipes in the crock pot are so easy and turn out full of flavor! Plus, they are perfect for the fall when you are looking for a hearty, warm you up meal. Another one of my favorites is crock pot chicken pho.

    side view chicken red beans and rice.

    Crockpot Gumbo without Roux

    One thing that isn't traditional about this crockpot gumbo recipe, is the lack of roux. Most gumbos you will find have a dark brown roux or a gumbo roux. By not having one in this slow cooker chicken gumbo, the dish is actually gluten free!

    If you want to add a roux, you certainly can! After browning your chicken thighs and veggies, set those ingredients to the side and add ¼ cup of additional oil to the same skillet. Over medium heat, bring oil up to temperature. Whisk in ¼ cup of flour. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon until the roux turns a rich brown color. This can take up to 30 minutes. Pour roux over ingredients in the crockpot and finish as usual. This will also serve to thicken the gumbo, so you may need to add additional chicken stock as well.

    Not all gumbos have chicken, some have shrimp, sausage, crawfish, etc. I added chicken thighs to this crockpot version. I LOVE how chicken thighs come out in the slow cooker. They are fall apart tender and take on the flavor of whatever they are cooked in.

    Ingredients

    ingredients for slow cooker chicken gumbo on white background.
    • garlic
    • onion
    • celery
    • carrots
    • jalapenos
    • oil
    • package andouille sausage (I used andouille chicken sausage)
    • boneless skinless chicken thighs
    • canned red kidney beans
    • chicken broth
    • salt
    • smoked paprika
    • Cajun seasoning
    • file powder
    • bay leaf
    • crushed tomatoes

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    How to make gumbo in the slow cooker

    These first two steps are optional but add a nice flavor to the dish!

    In a skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Brown chicken thighs on both sides to give them some color, about 2-3 minutes per side.

    browned chicken thighs in a black saute pan.
    browned chicken thighs in a crock pot.

    Place chicken into the slow cooker.

    To that same skillet, add chopped veggies and diced chicken sausages.

    Saute for 4-5 minutes to give them some color. Add to the crock pot.

    chopped veggies and andouille sausage in a saute pan.
    mixed up cajun veggies in a saute pan.

    Pour crushed tomatoes and chicken stock over top. Add drained and rinsed beans, bay leaf, salt, and spices. Stir.

    gumbo ingredients in a black crock pot unmixed.
    ingredients for gumbo stirred with metal spoon.

    Set to low and cook for 5-6 hours or high and cook for 3-4 hours.

    Shred chicken and serve with a scoop of rice on top.

    finished chicken thigh gumbo in black crockpot.

    Instant Pot Instructions

    This recipe works great in the Instant Pot as well! Here are the instructions adapted for the Instant Pot.

    Turn Instant Pot to saute function and add in olive oil. Add garlic, onions, celery, jalapenos, and carrots. Saute for 5 minutes, until onions are translucent.
    Slice andouille sausages into bite-sized pieces and add to pot to brown a little, about 5 minutes.
    Turn Instant Pot off of saute function and add in remaining ingredients and stir.
    Cover with lid and make sure the pot is in the sealing designation.
    Set on high pressure for 20 minutes. It will take some time to come up to pressure and release it's pressure.
    Allow pot to natural release before opening the lid.
    Shred chicken (it will shred very easily), and serve with rice!

    chicken and sausage gumbo in a white bowl.

    When making this, your Instant Pot may show the “burn” notice when cooking. This often happens to me when I am using tomato sauces in the Instant Pot. Don’t get scared if this happens!

    You have two options:

    • Turn it off and carefully do a quick release. Stir the contents and make sure nothing is stuck to the bottom. Place the lid back on and restart with whatever time was remaining.
    • Don’t stir in the tomato sauce when you add it to the recipe. If it’s not touching the edges of the pot itself, you should hopefully be able to avoid the burn notice. Stir into the dish once it is finished cooking.
    bowl of slow cooker gumbo with rice and parsley on top.

    Variations and Substitutions

    • There are 2 jalapenos in this recipe because we like the spice! You can use less if you prefer, or sub in a mild pepper, like a green bell pepper.
    • While I love the flavor and texture of chicken thighs in the slow cooker, chicken breasts work great in this recipe as well!

    Storage

    Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

    Can you freeze gumbo?

    You get you can! There are no ingredients in gumbo that would keep it from freezing well. Just like most soups, gumbo makes a fantastic freezer meal. You can either freeze it in individual containers for easy lunches and dinners, or all together. Just making sure to allow the chicken gumbo to cool completely before placing it in airtight containers and freezing.

    gumbo with white rice on top.

    Slow Cooker Gumbo with Chicken and Sausage

    Sarah Baumeister
    Slow cooker gumbo with chicken and sausage is simple to prepare but bold in flavor. It’s full of protein from andouille sausage, chicken thighs, and red beans, and lots of good for you ingredients like veggies and spices!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 3 hours hrs
    Total Time 3 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
    Course Instant Pot
    Cuisine Cajun
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 567 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 large yellow onion diced
    • 3 celery stalks diced
    • 2 carrots peeled and diced
    • 2 jalapenos minced
    • 1 tbsp. neutral oil
    • 1 10 oz. package andouille sausage 4 sausages
    • 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken thighs
    • 2 15 oz. cans red kidney beans rinsed
    • 2 cups chicken stock
    • 1 tsp. salt
    • ½ tbs. smoked paprika
    • ½ tbs. Cajun seasoning
    • 1 tsp. file powder
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes

    Instructions
     

    • In a skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Brown chicken thighs on both sides to give them some color, about 2-3 minutes per side.
    • Place chicken into the slow cooker.
    • To that same skillet, add chopped veggies and diced chicken sausages.
    • Saute for 4-5 minutes to give them some color. Add to the crock pot.
    • Pour crushed tomatoes and chicken stock over top. Add drained and rinsed beans, bay leaf, salt, and spices. Stir.
    • Set to low and cook for 5-6 hours or high and cook for 3-4 hours.
    • Shred chicken and serve with a scoop of rice on top.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 567kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 41gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 123mgSodium: 1572mgFiber: 13gSugar: 10g
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. TRINITY F GORZ says

      July 14, 2020 at 1:51 am

      The word instapot just intimidates me right now! See so many great recipes using one! Going to have to do some more research! Don't own one yet!

      Reply
      • Sarah says

        July 14, 2020 at 6:42 pm

        I believe in you! I was scared at first too.

        Reply
    2. Marjorie Swanson says

      July 14, 2020 at 10:09 am

      How much chicken? Boneless or skin on?
      Sounds amazing.

      Reply
      • Sarah says

        July 14, 2020 at 6:33 pm

        Thank you for pointing this out! I have fixed the recipe. I used 1 lb. of boneless skinless, it's easiest!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Sarah! I am a wife, mother, and believer. I have been cooking since I could stand and am excited to share my love for being in the kitchen with all of you. You will find a variety of recipes here from healthy family dinners, to ways to prepare venison, to soups, to baked goods, we love it all!

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