Gather your equipment: slow cooker, large skillet, chopping board, and knife. Ready your ingredients for a smooth cooking process.
Chop the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces, slice the sausage into rounds, and dice the bell pepper, onion, and celery. Measure out your spices and broth so everything is within reach.
Optional but recommended: in a large skillet over medium heat, briefly brown the chicken pieces until golden around the edges, about 5 minutes. This adds a smoky depth to the flavor.
4 pcs chicken thighs
In the same skillet, sauté the sausage slices for about 3-4 minutes until they release their smoky aroma. Transfer the sausage to the slow cooker.
4 pcs chicken thighs
Add the cooked chicken, sausage, diced vegetables, diced tomatoes, Cajun seasoning, and chicken broth to the slow cooker. Stir everything together to combine well.
4 pcs chicken thighs
Cover the slow cooker and set it to low. Let it cook for 6 to 8 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily shredded, and the flavors meld into a rich, smoky broth.
Once cooking is complete, open the lid and taste the gumbo. Stir in the file powder to add earthy richness, and adjust seasoning if needed.
4 pcs chicken thighs
Let the gumbo sit uncovered for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to settle and the broth to thicken slightly. This is a great time to prepare rice or crusty bread to serve alongside.
Scoop the hot, smoky gumbo into bowls, garnish with chopped green onions if desired, and enjoy the comforting, soulful flavors with your favorite side.