Creole Chicken and Sausage Stew (Printable View)
Hearty Creole stew with tender halal chicken, spicy sausage, and aromatic vegetables simmered to perfection.
# Ingredient List:
→ Meats
01 - 1.1 lb halal chicken thighs, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 10.6 oz halal smoked sausage, sliced
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 large onion, diced
04 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 2 celery stalks, diced
07 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
09 - 2 bay leaves
10 - 2 spring onions, sliced for garnish
11 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
→ Spices and Seasonings
12 - 1 tsp paprika
13 - 1½ tsp dried thyme
14 - 1 tsp dried oregano
15 - ½ tsp cayenne pepper
16 - 1 tsp salt
17 - ½ tsp black pepper
18 - 1 tsp sugar
→ Liquids
19 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
20 - 2.5 cups halal chicken broth
21 - 1 tbsp tomato paste
→ Optional
22 - Cooked white rice for serving
23 - Hot sauce to taste
# How to Prepare:
01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat until shimmering.
02 - Add halal sausage slices and cook until browned, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
03 - Add chicken pieces to the same pot and brown on all sides for 5 to 6 minutes. Remove and set aside with sausage.
04 - Add onion, green and red bell peppers, and celery to the pot. Sauté until softened, approximately 5 minutes.
05 - Stir in garlic, paprika, thyme, oregano, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
06 - Add tomato paste and cook, stirring continuously, for another minute to deepen flavor.
07 - Pour in diced tomatoes, chicken broth, sugar, and bay leaves. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
08 - Return chicken and sausage to the pot. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 30 to 35 minutes, stirring occasionally.
09 - Uncover and simmer for an additional 5 to 10 minutes to thicken if desired.
10 - Remove bay leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
11 - Serve hot over cooked white rice, garnished with spring onions and fresh parsley. Add hot sauce if desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The combination of chicken thighs and smoked sausage creates layers of flavor that deepen as they simmer together, something I discovered when I accidentally left it on the stove a bit longer than planned.
- This stew actually tastes even better the next day, which means you can prep it ahead and have the most incredible leftovers waiting for you after a long day.
02 -
- Never skip browning the meats separately, as I once did when in a hurry, because those browned bits on the bottom of the pot create an incredible foundation for flavor.
- Adding a teaspoon of sugar helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes, something my taste buds discovered after making this recipe at least a dozen times.
03 -
- The key to developing deep flavor is allowing each ingredient to cook properly before adding the next, something I rushed through my first few attempts.
- Keep the simmer gentle, never letting it reach a rolling boil, which ensures the chicken stays tender rather than becoming tough and stringy.