Smoky andouille and zesty Cajun spices elevate this shrimp and chicken gumbo to a soul-warming feast you’ll always want in your winter rotation. It’s delicious with hot white rice, jalapeño cornbread, cold lager, potato salad; in fact most things.
Jump to RecipeShrimp and Chicken Gumbo Recipe Ingredients
Proteins & Base:
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 lb Andouille sausage, sliced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp oil
Veggies:
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Liquids & Flavor:
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 (14.5 oz) can fire-roasted tomatoes
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tbsp shrimp and crab boil
- 1/2 tsp paprika
To Serve:
- 2 cups cooked white rice

How To Make Shrimp and Chicken Gumbo Recipe
- Season the shrimp: Toss the peeled and deveined shrimp with half a tablespoon of Cajun seasoning and the paprika, then leave them to hang out and marinate in those bold flavors while the rest of the gumbo begins to take shape.
- Brown the sausage: Heat a splash of oil in a large skillet over a medium-high heat and sear the andouille sausage slices for about 3 minutes per side, or until they are beautifully browned and have developed a bit of a crispy edge; remove them from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté the veggies: Using the same pan to catch all those smoky sausage drippings, throw in the bell peppers, celery, and onion, sautéing them for about 4 minutes until softened and translucent, then add the minced garlic and stir for one more minute before pulling the whole lot off the heat.
- Make the roux: Grab a fresh, clean pan and add the flour to dry-toast it over a medium-low heat, stirring non-stop with a wooden spoon for 18 to 20 minutes until it reaches a deep, dark chocolate-brown color. Once the color is perfect, stir in the butter until the mixture is smooth, glossy, and smells intensely nutty.
- Build the gumbo: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, combine the browned sausage, sautéed vegetables, the rich dark roux, and the fire-roasted tomatoes. Pour in the chicken broth and stir in all the seasonings—the bay leaves, oregano, pepper, thyme, Cajun spice, and crab boil—until everything is well combined.
- Simmer low and slow: Cover the pot and leave the gumbo to simmer gently for 45 minutes; don’t try to rush this part, as this is when the roux and the juices from the tomatoes and sausage melt together into that classic, deep flavor.
- Finish with shrimp: Stir in the seasoned shrimp and let them cook for a final 5 to 6 minutes until they have curled slightly and turned a perfect, opaque pink.
- Serve: Ladle the thick, fragrant gumbo over bowls of hot white rice and scatter the sliced green onions over the top for a final bit of fresh color and crunch. Bring it to the table and tuck in!

Recipe Tips
- How to master the roux: Patience is key when toasting the flour; do not turn up the heat to speed things up or the flour will burn and turn bitter rather than nutty.
- Why use fire-roasted tomatoes: The char on the tomatoes adds an extra layer of smokiness that complements the andouille sausage perfectly.
- How to prevent overcooked shrimp: Only add the shrimp at the very end of the cooking process; they cook incredibly fast and will become rubbery if simmered for too long.
- How to adjust the thickness: If your gumbo is too thick for your liking, whisk in an extra 1/2 cup of chicken broth during the final simmer.
What To Serve With Shrimp and Chicken Gumbo Recipe?
This Shrimp and Chicken Gumbo Recipe is a rich, smoky meal that needs a rustic pairing! A side of Sweet Jalapeño Cornbread is the classic choice for soaking up the dark roux. For a lighter touch, a side of Creamy Southern Potato Salad adds a lovely coolness that contrasts with the Cajun heat! A cold Mexican Lager or a Sparkling Lemonade pairs wonderfully with the savory, spiced broth.

How To Store Shrimp and Chicken Gumbo Recipe
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days; the flavor actually improves the next day as the spices continue to meld.
- Reheat: Warm gently on the stove over medium-low heat; add a splash of broth if the gumbo has thickened too much in the fridge.
- Freeze: You can freeze the gumbo base for up to 3 months, but it is best to leave the shrimp out and add them fresh when you reheat the dish to ensure they stay tender.
Shrimp and Chicken Gumbo Recipe Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Total Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg
- Sodium: 1120 mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Protein: 28 g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Any smoked spicy sausage will work in a pinch, though andouille is preferred for its specific coarse texture and heavy smoke flavor.
Yes, a dry-toast roux browns the flour without fat first, which allows you to get that deep chocolate color with less risk of the oil burning, resulting in a slightly “lighter” feeling but still intensely flavored base.
You can use regular diced tomatoes, but you may want to add an extra 1/4 teaspoon of smoked paprika to compensate for the missing charred flavor.
Shrimp and Chicken Gumbo Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: CajunDifficulty: Easy6
servings20
minutes1
hour15
minutes380
kcalA deep and smoky Louisiana-style gumbo featuring a dark chocolate-brown roux, spiced andouille sausage, and tender shrimp simmered with fire-roasted tomatoes.
Ingredients
1 lb large shrimp
1 lb Andouille sausage
1/4 cup flour
2 tbsp butter + 2 tbsp oil
Bell peppers, celery, onion, garlic
2 cups chicken broth
14.5 oz fire-roasted tomatoes
Cajun seasoning, crab boil, paprika, thyme, oregano
Cooked white rice
Directions
- Season shrimp with Cajun spice and paprika; set aside.
- Brown sausage in oil for 3 minutes per side; set aside.
- Sauté peppers, celery, onion, and garlic in the same pan until soft.
- Dry-toast flour for 18-20 mins until chocolate-brown, then stir in butter.
- Combine all ingredients (except shrimp) in a pot and simmer for 45 minutes.
- Add shrimp and cook for 5-6 minutes until pink.
- Serve over hot rice with sliced green onions.
Notes
- Take your time with the roux to achieve a deep, non-bitter flavor.
- Use a heavy pot (like a Dutch oven) for even heat distribution.
- Fresh green onions add the perfect bright finish to the smoky stew.
