Make a roux by heating the oil in a heavy pot or Dutch oven, add flour gradually and stir until well mixed. Lower heat and continue to watch and stir until it is the color of chocolate brown. This step will take awhile but, you don't have to stand there with it the whole time. Remove from heat. Slowly stir in hot water until contents of pot are about half way up the pot. Place back on fire and bring to a boil. Put remainder of ingredients into pot of roux, lower fire to a simmer and cover pot making sure it does not boil over. Simmer 1 hour adding water as needed. You want to end up with the roux being the thickness of gravy. If chicken is not tender, continue to simmer on low heat until it is fork tender.

Check seasonings and add salt or pepper as needed.

Serve over hot, cooked rice.