Miss Lucy's Cajun Style Chicken Gumbo

INGREDIENTS

1 cup

canola or vegetable oil

1 cup

all-purpose flour

(3 to 4 pound ) whole hen or fryer , cut into serving pieces and skin removed, if desired

12 cups

water , heated

1 tbsp

kosher salt

1/2 tsp

freshly cracked black pepper , or to taste

1 cup

chopped onion

1/2 cup

chopped green bell pepper

1/4 cup

chopped celery

1 lb

andouille or other spicy smoked sausage , sliced in 1/4" rounds

1/4 cup

green onion , chopped, optional

1/2 tsp

Cajun or Creole seasoning , or to taste