Description
Chicken Etouffee brings pure Cajun comfort straight from Louisiana’s soulful kitchens to your dinner table. Simmered with rich roux, tender chicken, and bold spices, this hearty dish delivers genuine Southern warmth that feels like a warm hug from New Orleans.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb chicken, diced
Vegetables:
- ½ cup onion, chopped
- ½ cup green bell pepper, chopped
- ½ cup celery, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Liquids:
- ¼ cup flour
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooked rice for serving
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot at medium heat for 2-3 minutes until shimmering.
- Whisk ¼ cup flour into the hot oil, creating a golden-brown roux by stirring constantly for 8-10 minutes.
- Add ½ cup chopped onions, ½ cup green bell peppers, ½ cup celery, and 3 minced garlic cloves to your roux. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until vegetables soften.
- Incorporate 1 pound diced chicken into the vegetable mixture. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally until chicken turns opaque.
- Pour 3 cups chicken broth into the pot, then mix in 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, and 1 bay leaf.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer your etouffee uncovered for 25-30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.
- Remove bay leaf and season with salt and pepper to your preferred taste.
- Ladle the hot etouffee over a bed of warm cooked rice, ensuring each serving gets a generous portion of chicken and sauce.
Notes
- Using dark roux adds deeper flavor, so take time browning flour slowly without burning.
- Fresh chicken thighs work better than breasts for more tender, juicy meat in this classic Cajun dish.
- Authentic Cajun seasoning makes a big difference – consider making your own blend with paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, and oregano.
- For a lighter version, replace some broth with white wine and use less oil when making the roux.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 335 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg