Slow-Cooker Chicken and Andouille Sausage Stew – Recipe!

Slow-Cooker Chicken and Andouille Sausage Stew is one pot meal with flavors of New Orleans.  Andouille Sausage is smoked pork sausage, which was created originally by the French, who then brought it to Louisiana, and you can now find it almost anywhere, including your local grocery store.

I prefer to sear my sausage first in a pan, even though it is already cooked, because it adds caramelization or sweetness to the sauce.  I decided to build a stew in my slow-cooker using chicken and Andouille sausage as the protein and onions and celery — not the whole trinity of vegetables (carrots, celery & onions).  After simmering for a few hours, the broth becomes mildly spicy and turns into a beautiful soup.

The entire meal is super simple to prepare and the slow-cooker makes it even easier.  I think this recipe is perfect for a cozy weekend at home, or during the week when time is tight and you don’t have time to cook at night  – prep it before you go in the morning.

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Ingredients

2 half chicken breasts cut in half, skin-on bone-in

4 chicken legs

1 pound Andouille sausage, sliced into 2-inch pieces

1 white onion, sliced

3 stalks celery, sliced

1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon dried thyme

2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

2 cups chicken broth

1 cup crushed tomatoes

1/2 pound, peeled carrots

steamed hot rice, optional

1/2 cup fresh parsley, optional

(Serves 4-6)

To Prepare:

1. In slow cooker insert or large pot, add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and place over medium-high heat.  After two minutes, add half of chicken pieces to pot.  Sear on first side for 4 minutes, flip over and cook other side for 3 minutes.  Remove and sear remaining chicken pieces.  Remove all chicken and set aside.  Add sausage to pot and sear on all sides, about 2 minutes.
2. Add onions, celery, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, salt and pepper to sausage, stir.  Cook mixture for 2 minutes.  Add broth and tomatoes, stir.
3. Place chicken on top of broth.  Add carrots on top of chicken.  Place insert into slow-cooker and cook for 4 hours on low heat.
4. Remove lid and ladle over hot rice.  Sprinkle with fresh parsley, if desired.  Enjoy!