Description
This Chicken Étouffée recipe is a classic Louisiana comfort dish made with tender chicken smothered in a rich, slow-cooked roux-based sauce, infused with Cajun spices and the holy trinity of Creole cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter or oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Cooked white rice, for serving
Instructions
- Pat chicken thighs dry. Season with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. In a large Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat and brown chicken on both sides. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, melt butter. Add flour and stir constantly for 10–15 minutes until the roux turns a deep golden brown.
- Add diced onions, bell peppers, and celery. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Mix in tomato paste, thyme, and Worcestershire sauce. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth to avoid lumps. Add bay leaves.
- Return seared chicken to the pot. Cover and simmer on low heat for 30–40 minutes until the chicken is tender and the sauce has thickened.
- Season with remaining Cajun seasoning, hot sauce (if using), and more salt or pepper as needed. Discard bay leaves. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve over white rice.
Notes
- Serve over white rice for an authentic experience.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning to your taste.
- Chicken can be substituted with shrimp or sausage for variation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: Chicken Étouffée, Cajun cooking, Louisiana cuisine, comfort food