22 Chicken Sausage Recipes That Will Rescue Weeknights
If chicken sausage recipes are your weeknight rescue plan, this list is for you. Precooked chicken sausage is lean, flavorful, and ready in minutes, turning simple ingredients into real dinners. These 22 chicken sausage recipes cover everything from sheet pan dinners and pasta to jambalaya, breakfast hash, and grilled skewers. Every recipe uses simple pantry ingredients, comes together fast, and keeps picky eaters happy. Save this list now, because weeknight dinner just got a whole lot easier.
1. Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies
One pan, zero fuss. Sausage, potatoes, and peppers roast together into a complete dinner.
How to make it: Slice 1.5 pounds chicken sausage and toss with 2 diced bell peppers, 1 sliced onion, 2 cups halved baby potatoes, 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, and Italian seasoning. Roast at 425°F for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring once.
Serving tip: Serve with crusty bread or over rice.
2. Sausage and Peppers Pasta
A weeknight pasta loaded with sausage, sweet peppers, and marinara. Comforting and fast.
How to make it: Brown 1 pound sliced chicken sausage in a skillet. Add 2 sliced bell peppers and 1 sliced onion, cook 5 minutes. Stir in 3 cups marinara and simmer 10 minutes. Toss with 12 ounces cooked penne and top with parmesan.
Serving tip: Serve with garlic bread and a green salad.
3. Chicken Sausage Jambalaya
Smoky, spicy, and packed with rice and vegetables. A one pot Cajun classic.
How to make it: Brown 1 pound sliced andouille style chicken sausage. Add 1 diced onion, 1 diced bell pepper, and 2 minced garlic cloves, cook 5 minutes. Stir in 1.5 cups rice, 3 cups chicken broth, one 14 ounce can diced tomatoes, and 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning. Simmer covered 20 minutes.
Serving tip: Top with sliced green onions and hot sauce.
4. Sausage Breakfast Hash
Crispy potatoes, sausage, and peppers topped with fried eggs. The best weekend breakfast.
How to make it: Brown 1 pound diced chicken sausage in a skillet. Add 3 diced potatoes, 1 diced bell pepper, and 1 diced onion. Cook 15 minutes until potatoes are crispy. Make 4 wells and crack an egg into each; cover and cook 4 minutes.
Serving tip: Serve with toast and hot sauce.
5. Grilled Sausage Skewers
Sausage, zucchini, and peppers on skewers, grilled until charred and juicy. Perfect for summer.
How to make it: Cut 1.5 pounds chicken sausage into chunks. Thread onto skewers with zucchini, bell peppers, and red onion. Brush with olive oil and grill 10 to 12 minutes, turning, until charred at the edges.
Serving tip: Serve with pita and tzatziki.
6. Sausage and White Bean Soup
Hearty and cozy, with creamy white beans and tender sausage in a savory broth.
How to make it: Brown 1 pound sliced chicken sausage. Add 1 diced onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 minced garlic cloves, cook 5 minutes. Add 2 cans white beans, 6 cups chicken broth, and 1 teaspoon thyme. Simmer 20 minutes.
Serving tip: Serve with crusty bread for dipping.
7. Cajun Sausage and Rice
One skillet of smoky sausage, peppers, and seasoned rice. Bold flavor, minimal cleanup.
How to make it: Brown 1 pound sliced Cajun style chicken sausage. Add 1 diced bell pepper and 1 diced onion, cook 5 minutes. Stir in 1.5 cups rice, 3 cups broth, and 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning. Simmer covered 20 minutes.
Serving tip: Top with chopped parsley.
8. Sausage Tortellini Skillet
Cheese tortellini, sausage, and spinach in a creamy tomato sauce. Ready in 25 minutes.
How to make it: Brown 1 pound sliced Italian chicken sausage. Add 3 cups marinara and 1 cup heavy cream, simmer 5 minutes. Stir in 20 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini and 2 cups spinach. Cook 8 minutes until tortellini is tender.
Serving tip: Top with grated parmesan and basil.
9. Sausage and Potato Bake
A cozy casserole of sausage, potatoes, and cheese baked until bubbly and golden.
How to make it: Slice 1.5 pounds chicken sausage and layer in a baking dish with 4 sliced potatoes and 1 sliced onion. Pour over 1.5 cups chicken broth mixed with 1 teaspoon mustard. Top with 1 cup shredded cheddar. Bake at 375°F for 45 minutes.
Serving tip: Serve with steamed green beans.
10. Italian Sausage and Peppers
The classic combo, made lighter with chicken sausage. Great in rolls or over polenta.
How to make it: Brown 1.5 pounds Italian chicken sausage links. Add 3 sliced bell peppers and 2 sliced onions, cook 10 minutes until soft. Add 1 cup marinara and simmer 10 minutes.
Serving tip: Serve in toasted hoagie rolls with provolone.
11. Sausage Fried Rice
Day old rice, sausage, and vegetables stir fried with soy sauce. Better than takeout.
How to make it: Brown 1 pound diced chicken sausage in a wok. Push aside, scramble 3 eggs, then add 4 cups cold cooked rice, 2 cups frozen peas and carrots, and 3 tablespoons soy sauce. Stir fry 5 minutes.
Serving tip: Top with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
12. Sausage and Kale Soup
A lighter soup with sausage, white beans, and tender kale in garlic broth.
How to make it: Brown 1 pound sliced chicken sausage. Add 1 diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, cook 3 minutes. Add 6 cups chicken broth, 1 can white beans, and 4 cups chopped kale. Simmer 15 minutes.
Serving tip: Serve with grated parmesan and lemon wedges.
13. BBQ Sausage Bites
Sweet and sticky bite sized sausage pieces. A party appetizer that disappears fast.
How to make it: Slice 1.5 pounds chicken sausage into coins. Toss with 1 cup BBQ sauce and 2 tablespoons brown sugar. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes until caramelized at the edges.
Serving tip: Serve with toothpicks and ranch for dipping.
14. Sausage and Broccoli Pasta
Garlicky sausage and broccoli tossed with pasta and parmesan. Simple and satisfying.
How to make it: Brown 1 pound sliced chicken sausage. Add 4 cups broccoli florets and 4 minced garlic cloves, cook 5 minutes. Toss with 12 ounces cooked orecchiette, 1/2 cup pasta water, and 1/2 cup parmesan.
Serving tip: Finish with red pepper flakes and lemon zest.
15. Breakfast Sausage Muffins
Savory egg muffins with sausage and cheese. Grab and go breakfast for the week.
How to make it: Brown 1 pound crumbled chicken sausage and divide among 12 greased muffin cups. Whisk 10 eggs with 1/2 cup milk, salt, and pepper, pour over. Top with 1 cup shredded cheddar. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.
Serving tip: Reheat in the microwave for 30 seconds on busy mornings.
16. Sausage Stuffed Peppers
Bell peppers stuffed with sausage, rice, and cheese, baked until tender.
How to make it: Halve 4 bell peppers and remove seeds. Brown 1 pound crumbled chicken sausage with 1 diced onion, stir in 2 cups cooked rice and 1 cup marinara. Fill the peppers, top with mozzarella, and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes.
Serving tip: Serve with a side salad.
17. Sausage and Cabbage Skillet
A quick low carb skillet with sausage and tender cabbage in a savory sauce.
How to make it: Brown 1 pound sliced chicken sausage. Add 1 sliced onion and half a head of sliced cabbage. Cook 10 minutes until cabbage is tender. Stir in 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon caraway seeds.
Serving tip: Serve with mustard on the side.
18. Creamy Sausage Gnocchi
Pillowy gnocchi, sausage, and spinach in a creamy garlic sauce. Pure comfort.
How to make it: Brown 1 pound sliced chicken sausage. Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 cup heavy cream, and 1 cup chicken broth. Stir in 16 ounces gnocchi and simmer 8 minutes. Add 2 cups spinach until wilted.
Serving tip: Top with parmesan and cracked black pepper.
19. Sausage Pizza Topping Night
Let everyone build their own pizzas with sliced chicken sausage as the star topping.
How to make it: Brown 1 pound sliced chicken sausage. Set out pizza dough, sauce, mozzarella, peppers, onions, and mushrooms. Everyone tops their own and bakes at 475°F for 12 minutes.
Serving tip: Make a simple side salad while the pizzas bake.
20. Sausage and Lentil Stew
Hearty lentils and sausage simmered into a thick, warming stew.
How to make it: Brown 1 pound sliced chicken sausage. Add 1 diced onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 minced garlic cloves, cook 5 minutes. Add 1.5 cups lentils, 6 cups chicken broth, and 1 bay leaf. Simmer 35 minutes until lentils are tender.
Serving tip: Serve with crusty bread.
21. Apple Sausage Sheet Pan
Sweet apples and savory sausage roast together with onions and sweet potatoes.
How to make it: Slice 1.5 pounds apple chicken sausage. Toss with 2 sliced apples, 2 diced sweet potatoes, 1 sliced red onion, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and 1 teaspoon thyme. Roast at 425°F for 30 minutes.
Serving tip: Drizzle with Dijon mustard before serving.
22. Sausage Corn Chowder
Creamy chowder with sausage, corn, and potatoes. Cozy in a bowl.
How to make it: Brown 1 pound diced chicken sausage. Add 1 diced onion and 3 diced potatoes, cook 5 minutes. Add 4 cups chicken broth and simmer 15 minutes. Stir in 3 cups corn, 1 cup heavy cream, and cook 5 minutes more.
Serving tip: Top with crumbled bacon and chives.
How to Use These Recipes
Start with the sheet pan dinner or the sausage and peppers pasta to learn the rhythm, then branch out into the soups and skillets. The secret to great chicken sausage dinners is browning: even though it is precooked, a good sear adds tons of flavor. To get ahead, slice a few pounds of sausage on Sunday and refrigerate; most of these recipes come together in 30 minutes from there. Cooked chicken sausage keeps 4 days in the fridge and freezes well for up to 3 months.
FAQs
Is chicken sausage already cooked?
Most chicken sausage sold in stores is precooked, but check the label. Precooked sausage just needs heating through; raw sausage needs to reach 165°F.
Can I freeze chicken sausage?
Yes. Freeze unopened packages up to 3 months, or freeze cooked leftovers in portions for quick meals.
What is the best way to brown chicken sausage?
Slice it and sear in a hot skillet with a little oil until the edges caramelize. This adds flavor even to precooked sausage.
How long does cooked chicken sausage last in the fridge?
Up to 4 days in an airtight container. Reheat until steaming hot throughout.
Conclusion
With 22 chicken sausage recipes ready to go, weeknight dinners are rescued for weeks. Whether the craving calls for a sheet pan dinner, a cozy soup, or a quick pasta, there is a version here for every mood and every schedule. Try one tonight, then work through the rest whenever an easy dinner win is in order. If a new family favorite emerges, save this post to your Pinterest dinner board so it is always within reach, and share it with a friend who could use a weeknight rescue.
