Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

I had some extra time one weekend and decided I wanted to tackle a fairly involved meal. I decided to try this gumbo, and even though it took quite a bit of work it was well worth the extra time. The thing that took the longest was the roux, it just would not brown! I eventually decided it was dark enough and just continued on, and the meal was still very flavorful even if the roux wasn't quite right. This even froze well, and made excellent leftovers!

I'd also like to wish my husband a happy anniversary. 7 years together, it's been incredible. <3

Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
from Annie's Eats

Ingredients:
6 oz. bacon, diced
2 lbs. chicken legs or thighs, bone-in and skin-on **I used chicken breast**
Salt
1 lb. andouille sausage, sliced (or spicy Italian sausage, crumbled)
½ cup peanut or other vegetable oil **I used olive oil**
1 cup flour
2 green bell peppers, seeded and diced
4 stalks celery, diced
1 large onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp. tomato paste
4 cups chicken stock
4 cups water
½-1 lb. okra, sliced into discs **I omitted this**
3 green onions, chopped
Chopped fresh parsley, for serving

For the Cajun spice mix:1 tsp. black pepper
½-1 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. celery seed
2 tbsp. sweet paprika
1 tbsp. garlic powder
1 tbsp. dried thyme
1 tbsp. dried oregano

Directions:
In a large stockpot or Dutch oven set over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove the cooked bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside. Set the chicken pieces skin side down in the bacon grease to brown. Season the side facing up with salt. Cook 4-5 minutes without moving. Flip the chicken pieces over and brown on the opposite side. Remove the browned chicken pieces to a plate and set aside. Add the sausage to the pan and cook until well browned. Remove to the plate with the chicken.

The amount of fat remaining in the pot should be about ½ cup. Add the additional peanut or vegetable oil to the pot. After the oil has heated for a minute or two, stir in the flour. Stir this mixture together almost constantly for the first few minutes, then every couple of minutes or so thereafter. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook the roux until it becomes fairly dark.

While the roux is cooking, combine the chicken stock and water in a separate pot and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and maintain at a simmer.

When the roux has reached the appropriate color, stir in the diced green pepper, celery and onion. Mix well. Let cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for about 2 more minutes. Mix in the tomato paste.Using a large ladle, gradually add the hot chicken stock mixture to the pot. It will sizzle and seize as the roux absorbs the liquid. Continue adding the stock, stirring constantly and scraping the bottom of the pot. You may not need the full amount of liquid but add enough so that it is slightly more watery than you want the final product to be since the mixture will cook down over several hours. Stir in half of the Cajun spice mix and add more to taste.Reduce the heat to medium-low and return the chicken pieces to the pot. Let simmer gently until the chicken meat falls easily away from the bones, about 90 minutes. Remove the chicken pieces and let cool slightly. Return the sausage to the pot with the gumbo, and stir in the sliced okra. Shred the cooked chicken meat, discarding the skin and bones (or saving for a later use). Add the shredded chicken pieces back to the gumbo. Cook the gumbo for an additional hour or more, until the gumbo has reached your desired final consistency. Before serving, stir in the green onions and reserved bacon and sprinkle with the parsley. Serve over rice or with crusty bread.