File Gumbo

Name: File Gumbo
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 75 min
Total time: 100 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients: 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1 yellow onion, chopped; 1 green bell pepper, chopped; 2 celery stalks, chopped; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 lb andouille sausage, sliced; 1.5 lbs boneless chicken thighs, diced; 6 cups chicken broth; 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning; 2 bay leaves; 2 tsp filé powder

A rich, traditional stew cooked with a dark oil roux, savory meats, and aromatic filé powder added right before serving.

100 minMediumServes 6480 cal/serving

CajunDinnerStovetopHigh ProteinDairy-FreeNut-FreeEgg-FreeShellfish-FreeSoy-FreeAlcohol-Free

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Ingredients

1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 lb andouille sausage, sliced
1.5 lbs boneless chicken thighs, diced
6 cups chicken broth
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
2 bay leaves
2 tsp filé powder

Instructions

1

Heat 1/2 cup vegetable oil in a heavy pot over medium heat, stir in 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, and cook continuously for 20 minutes until dark brown.
2

Add 1 chopped yellow onion, 1 chopped green bell pepper, and 2 chopped celery stalks to the roux, cook for 5 minutes, then stir in 4 minced garlic cloves for 1 minute.
3

Add 1 lb sliced andouille sausage and 1.5 lbs diced boneless chicken thighs, then pour in 6 cups chicken broth and stir in 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning and 2 bay leaves.
4

Bring to a simmer, lower heat, cover, and cook for 45 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
5

Remove from heat, discard bay leaves, and stir in 2 tsp filé powder off the heat before serving.

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Questions

How much time should I plan for File Gumbo?

As written, 100 minutes: 25 of prep and 75 of cooking. The longest single stretch is step 4 (45 minutes): "Bring to a simmer, lower heat, cover, and cook for 45 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F."

What internal temperature should File Gumbo reach?

For File Gumbo, the target internal temperature is 165 F (about 75 C), given in step 4. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

Is there a substitute for andouille in File Gumbo?

The entry for File Gumbo calls for 1 lb andouille sausage, sliced. In its place: Any smoked sausage such as kielbasa, plus a pinch each of cayenne and smoked paprika.

Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs in File Gumbo?

Yes, with care. Breasts dry out sooner: pull them at 165 F, which usually means a few minutes less than the thighs would take. As written, the entry for File Gumbo uses 1.5 lbs boneless chicken thighs, diced.

Can I make File Gumbo gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in File Gumbo is 1/2 cup all-purpose flour. Swap the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works). Everything else proceeds as written.

Serve it with

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