Start by trimming any excess fat from the chicken breasts using a sharp knife. Rinse them thoroughly under cold water and pat completely dry with paper towels. This ensures even cooking and better texture.

Fill a large pot with enough water to cover the chicken completely. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to season the cooking water. Bring it to a rolling boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Add the chicken breasts and cook until fully done and no longer pink inside, about 15–20 minutes.

The internal temperature should reach 165°F. Remove from water and let cool slightly for 5 minutes, then shred the chicken using two forks or your hands, pulling it into bite-sized strips.

In a deep skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat until it shimmers. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 5–7 minutes. The onions should become fragrant and slightly golden at the edges but not burned.

While the onions cook, prepare your signature sauce. In a blender, combine the tomato sauce, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (start with 2-3 peppers and adjust), 1 cup of water or chicken broth, and black pepper.

Blend until completely smooth with no chunks remaining. Remember, chipotle peppers pack smoky heat, so add them gradually-you can always add more but can’t take it away.

Add the shredded chicken to the skillet with the cooked onions. Stir well to distribute the onions evenly throughout the chicken, creating a uniform base for your sauce.

Pour the blended chipotle-tomato sauce over the chicken and onion mixture. Stir thoroughly to coat every piece of chicken. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. Taste the sauce and add more salt or pepper as needed to suit your preference.

Lower the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet with a lid, and let the voodoo chicken recipe simmer for about 10 minutes. This allows the sauce to fully penetrate the chicken, intensifying the flavors. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Your homemade J. Gumbo’s voodoo chicken is now ready to serve.