Lightly season chicken thighs with salt and pepper
Place seasoned chicken thighs on foil or parchment lined baking dish and bake for 30 minutes or until internal temperature of chicken is 165 degrees
Meanwhile, in a heavy bottomed skillet (cast iron recommended) and on medium heat, add oil, onions, bell peppers and celery; cook about 5 minutes
Add roux mix to onion mixture and allow to cook for 10 minutes. (This will be very thick and clumpy).
Gradually add chicken broth to roux and onion mixture; continue stirring and adding more broth until the consistency of the roux is smooth
Remove cooked chicken from oven; pull chicken from bone and place in the skillet with onion mixture
Allow to simmer, covered for 20 minutes
Serve over white rice
Add gumbo file seasoning to finished product for a thicker stew (optional)
Garnish with chopped green onions
Notes
About the Chicken
If chicken thighs have the skin on, you have two options:
Remove skin prior to baking thighs -or-
Boil skin-on thighs in water; remove skin after thighs have cooled
White meat can be used for this recipe, but the dark meat gives the richest flavor.
The flavor of this chicken stew intensifies and gets better after it has sat awhile. If time permits, allow the cooked stew to sit on the stove with no heat for about 30 minutes. Then bring back to simmer and serve.
About the RouxYou've got 3 options and all result in an excellent flavor.
Powdered Roux - usually in the baking section; follow directions
Roux in a Jar - usually in the "International" section; ask your grocer to help you find it. Technically, it's a "soup starter" for lack of a better explanation. If your grocer doesn't have it, ask them to order it. There are two jarred roux's I like to use: Kary's and Bootsie's. Both from Louisiana.
Homemade Roux - always first choice; learn how to make a homemade roux for any dish here.