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Cajun Chicken Étouffée

A Cajun chicken étouffée with chicken smothered in a rich, roux-based sauce with the trinity, served over rice.

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RECIPE AT A GLANCE

20

min 

Active Time

45

min 

Total Time

6

SERVINGS
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Stovetop

METHOD
Why It Works

A patient roux gives the étouffée its toasty depth and body. Simmering the chicken in the sauce keeps it tender and full of flavor.

Quick Fixes

Roux too pale: cook it longer until it's peanut-butter colored.

Sauce too thick: thin with broth.

Ingredients

Protein

1½ lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, diced

Seasoning

1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Sauce

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth

Vegetables

1 yellow onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
2 celery stalks, diced

Pasta & Grains

cooked white rice, for serving

Topping

2 tablespoons sliced green onions

How to Make It

1

Toss the chicken with the Cajun seasoning.

2

Melt butter in a pot over medium, whisk in flour, and cook 6 to 8 minutes, stirring, until peanut-butter colored.

3

Add onion, bell pepper, and celery and cook 5 minutes, then stir in garlic.

4

Slowly whisk in the broth and add smoked paprika.

5

Add the chicken and simmer 18 to 20 minutes until tender.

6

Spoon over rice and top with green onions.

Store

Store up to 3 days.

Reheat

Reheat gently on the stovetop, loosening with broth.

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Avo's Tip

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Stir the roux constantly — it builds the whole dish and burns the moment you walk away.

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COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before you start cooking.

• What is étouffée?
A Louisiana dish where the main protein is smothered in a roux-based sauce and served over rice.
• Breasts or thighs?
Thighs stay juiciest in the braise; breasts work if you don't overcook them.
• How dark should the roux be?
Peanut-butter colored — toasty and deep but not bitter.

easy 30 minute meal

Cajun Chicken Étouffée

Ingredients

1½ lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, diced

1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

¼ cup all-purpose flour

1 yellow onion, diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

2 celery stalks, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

3 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

cooked white rice, for serving

2 tablespoons sliced green onions

Instructions

1

Toss the chicken with the Cajun seasoning.

2

Melt butter in a pot over medium, whisk in flour, and cook 6 to 8 minutes, stirring, until peanut-butter colored.

3

Add onion, bell pepper, and celery and cook 5 minutes, then stir in garlic.

4

Slowly whisk in the broth and add smoked paprika.

5

Add the chicken and simmer 18 to 20 minutes until tender.

6

Spoon over rice and top with green onions.

20

min 

active 

45

min 

total

6

servings

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