Classic Cajun Chicken Étouffée
A flavorful and comforting Cajun dish made with tender chicken thighs, aromatic vegetables, and a rich roux served over rice.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 pounds boneless chicken thighs
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large onion
- 1 large green bell pepper
- 1 large red bell pepper
- 2 stalks celery
- 5 stalks green onions
- 6 cloves garlic
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon browning sauce
- 0.25 cup parsley leaves
- 1 serving cooked white rice
Instructions
- Prep all your vegetables by finely chopping the onion, bell peppers, celery, green onions, and parsley. Mince the garlic. Season the chicken thighs generously with Cajun seasoning according to your taste.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the avocado oil. Sear the chicken thighs in batches for about 3-5 minutes on each side until they are browned. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan. Once browned, set them aside on a plate.
- Lower the heat to medium in the same skillet and melt the butter. Whisk in the flour until it turns into a medium brown peanut butter-colored roux. This takes about 10-15 minutes, so stir constantly to prevent burning.
- Add the chopped onions, bell peppers, celery, and half of the green onions to the roux. Sauté the vegetables for about 10 minutes until they start to soften. Stir frequently and scrape the bottom to prevent sticking. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Slowly whisk in the warmed chicken broth until the mixture is smooth. Add the browning sauce and stir well. Return the browned chicken to the pan and let it simmer on low for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the chicken is fully cooked.
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove the thighs from the pot, chop them into bite-sized pieces, and return them to the pot. Add the chopped parsley and adjust the seasoning with more Cajun seasoning if desired.
- Serve the Cajun chicken over rice, garnished with the remaining green onions. Enjoy this delicious dish with family and friends!
Notes
For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the dish. No alcoholic drinks allowed, please substitute with a non-alcoholic option.