Cajun Chicken Stew Recipe
🕒 Cook Time: 1 hour
🕒 Prep Time: 15 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
🍽 Servings: 8
Description:
Indulge in the rich flavors of Cajun cuisine with this hearty Cajun Chicken Stew recipe. Perfect for chilly winter evenings or lively potluck gatherings, this spicy and satisfying stew is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 – 1 onion, diced
- 1 celery stalk, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 bell peppers, diced
- 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Olive oil
Instructions:
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Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences. If desired, you can marinate the chicken in olive oil and black pepper overnight, adding salt just before cooking.
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Make the Roux: In a heavy iron skillet, preferably cast-iron, heat some vegetable oil over medium heat. Once heated, add the flour and begin stirring constantly with a wooden spoon.
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Achieve the Dark Roux: Continue stirring the flour mixture consistently until it reaches an even chocolate color. This process typically takes around 15 minutes. Be vigilant to avoid burning the roux, as black flecks indicate it has burned and will impart a bitter taste to the stew.
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Add Aromatics: Carefully add the diced onions, chopped celery, and diced bell peppers to the roux in the skillet. Stir the vegetables into the roux mixture for approximately 60 seconds.
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Incorporate Garlic and Chicken: Add the minced garlic to the skillet, stirring to combine with the vegetables and roux. Next, add the seasoned chicken pieces to the skillet, ensuring they are thoroughly coated with the roux mixture.
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Introduce Chicken Broth: Slowly and carefully pour the low sodium chicken broth into the skillet, stirring continuously to incorporate it into the stew base. If necessary, transfer the chicken mixture to a larger pot or Dutch oven at this stage to accommodate the remaining ingredients.
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Simmer the Stew: Cover the chicken with water, bringing the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot with a lid. Allow the stew to simmer gently for 45-50 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. The sauce should thicken as it cooks.
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Season and Serve: Just before serving, add the chopped parsley to the stew, adjusting the seasoning with additional salt and red pepper according to your taste preferences. Serve the Cajun Chicken Stew hot over a bed of steamed white rice for a comforting and flavorful meal.
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Storage Tip: To preserve leftovers, store the cooked rice and stew in separate containers. This prevents the rice from becoming soggy when reheated and maintains the optimal texture of both components.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 419.2
- Fat Content: 31.8g
- Saturated Fat: 5.9g
- Cholesterol: 53.5mg
- Sodium: 144.1mg
- Carbohydrates: 16.8g
- Fiber: 1.1g
- Sugar: 2.1g
- Protein: 16.4g
Reviews:
With an aggregated rating of 5 stars based on 11 reviews, this Cajun Chicken Stew recipe has consistently delighted home cooks with its bold flavors and comforting appeal. Whether enjoyed on a cozy weeknight or shared at a festive potluck gathering, this stew is sure to impress with its spicy Cajun flair and tender chicken pieces immersed in a rich, flavorful sauce.
