Slow Cooker Chicken & Sausage Gumbo

I've always loved the Gumbo and other dishes my Dad used to make, and in my efforts to try and figure out how he made them I've come up with this Gumbo recipe. It's incorporating several things from various recipes found here on food.com (such as how to make a roux!).

• Ready In: 5 hrs 40 mins
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 1⁄3 cup  cooking oil
• 1⁄3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1  large onion, diced
• 2  bell peppers, diced (Red, Green or Yellow)
• 1 -2  jalapeno pepper
• 2  celery ribs (cut small)
• 1  lb andouille sausages or 1  lb chorizo sausage
• 1  lb shrimp (optional)
• 1 1⁄2 lbs chicken
• 4  garlic cloves
• 1  tablespoon oregano
• 1  tablespoon basil
• 1  tablespoon thyme
• 1  tablespoon onion powder
• 1  tablespoon garlic powder
• 1  tablespoon black pepper
• 1  tablespoon paprika
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1  teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 4  cups  chicken stock
• 4  cups rice (prepared)

Directions

1. Make a roux: Combine cooking oil and all-purpose flour in a small saucepan and heat on medium low for 15 to 20 minutes stirring regularly until it turns a chocolatey brown. Black lumps means you've burned it ;).
2. Meanwhile dice your vegetables and place them in the slow cooker.
3. Slice the sausages into discs and fry them until golden brown, add to slow cooker.
4. Cube the chicken and fry until no pink remains, add to slow cooker.
5. Pour roux over contents of slow cooker.
6. Add 4 cups of chicken stock to slow cooker.
7. Add spices to slow cooker, stir well.
8. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 5 hours.
9. Optionally add cooked shrimp and heat for an additional 20-30 minutes.
10. Serve over a bed of rice prepared as per it's package instructions.