Easy Healthy Cajun Chicken & Sausage Gumbo Recipe

4.67 from 6 votes

This non-traditional but delicious and healthy gumbo recipe is a flavorful and hearty thick stew that is lower in calories and fat.

With diced chicken and spicy sliced sausage, it's comforting all year round for a taste inspired by the south of the USA.

Prep Time10

Cook Time31

Total Time41

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chicken, gumbo, slow cooker

Servings: people

Calories: 532kcal

The first thing you need to do is add oil to a large frying pan. Then sear the sausages over high heat until browned for 5 minutes.
Now add the diced chicken and continue cooking until golden brown.
Next throw in the diced onions, celery and garlic to saute once more until softened.
For Instant Pot or crockpot gumbo: transfer to the pot and continue with the rest of the steps
Now slice or break up the sausages with a wooden spoon into 2-3cm chunks. Then add the remaining ingredients.
Cover with a lid and simmer over medium heat for 25-30 minutes, keeping a close eye towards the end in case it catches on the bottom.
Slow cooker version: Cook on pressure cooker mode for 10 minutes.
Instant Pot gumbo: Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low heat for 6-7 hours
Once cooked, stir in the juice of a lemon for some sweet acidity.
You can also stir in some mango chutney and cream into your healthy chicken gumbo if preferred.

Keep checking on the pot towards the end and add a splash of water or stock if needed
Use flavoured sausages where possible for a unique and delicious taste
If the oats haven't disappeared completely when cooking on the stove, continue simmering for another 5 minutes and repeat if needed
Sear the meat over high heat so they hold their structure under slow cooking
Add salt and pepper at the end to control the seasoning to your liking