Gumbo, Half-Hour Chicken

INGREDIENTS

• ☐ 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, such as safflower
• ☐ 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• ☐ 2 red bell peppers (ribs and seeds removed), chopped
• ☐ 1 medium onion, chopped
• ☐ 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• ☐ 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ☐ Coarse salt and ground pepper
• ☐ 1 package (10 ounces) frozen, cut okra
• ☐ 8 ounces smoked (precooked) andouille sausage, halved lengthwise and sliced 1 inch thick
• ☐ 1 rotisserie chicken (about 2 1/2 pounds), skin and bones removed, meat shredded (about 4 cups)
• ☐ Store-bought or homemade cornbread, for serving (optional)

PREPARATION

1. In a 5-quart Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat oil over medium. Add flour, and cook, whisking constantly, until pale golden, 5 to 7 minutes.

2. Stir in bell peppers, onion, garlic, and oregano; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are crisp-tender, 10 to 12 minutes.

3. Add 4 cups water; stir in okra and sausage. Bring to a boil.

4. Stir in shredded chicken, and warm through, 1 to 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; if desired, serve with cornbread.

VARIATIONS
Two of the 4 cups water can be replaced with 2 cups low-sodium store-bought chicken broth.

COOK'S NOTE
Rotisserie chicken shaves many minutes from the total cooking time, and its slow-roasted goodness brings just as much to the mix as if you'd cooked your own.