Let’s talk about dinner. That time of day when everyone is hungry and you just want something simple and delicious on the table. Finding great easy dinner recipes can feel like a chore, right? We’ve all been there, scrolling through endless options looking for something that won’t take hours to make or require a dozen pots and pans.
Well, I have some good news for you. This one pan chicken sausage and rice skillet is a total win. It’s one of those amazing easy weeknight dinners that the whole family will enjoy. It is packed with flavor, comes together quickly, and leaves you with minimal cleanup. What more could you ask for?
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, the simplicity is just fantastic. Everything cooks together in one large oven safe skillet. That means all the flavors get to mingle and create something truly special. Plus, fewer dishes to wash is always a victory in my book. This is one of my favorite dinner ideas recipes for that reason alone.
The flavors are so comforting and satisfying. You get the savory chicken sausage, the sweetness from the cherry tomatoes that burst in the oven, and the wonderful aroma of garlic and onion. It’s a wholesome meal that feels both hearty and fresh at the same time.
It’s also incredibly versatile. You can stick to the recipe exactly, or you can use it as a starting point. Feel free to add in other vegetables you have on hand. A little bit of bell pepper or some spinach would be wonderful in here. It’s a great way to clean out the fridge.
And let’s not forget, this is one of those fantastic kid friendly dinners. The flavors are mild enough for little ones, but you can easily add a pinch of red pepper flakes for the adults who like a little heat. It’s a meal that truly brings everyone to the table without any fuss.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 12 ounces (about 4) mild chicken Italian sausages
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, smashed
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup long grain rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- pinch of crush red pepper flakes (optional)
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons parsley, roughly chopped (garnish)
The beauty of these easy dinner recipes is that the ingredient list is straightforward. For the chicken sausage, feel free to use your favorite brand. Mild Italian is a great choice because it adds a nice herby flavor without being too spicy for kids.
Long grain white rice works best here. It cooks up fluffy and absorbs all the delicious chicken broth and juices from the sausage and tomatoes. Make sure you use a good quality chicken broth, as it provides a lot of the base flavor for the entire dish.
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare The Oven And Skillet
First things first, get your oven preheating to 350 degrees F. This is important so it’s ready to go when you are. Grab a large oven safe skillet, like a cast iron pan if you have one. Add the olive oil and set it over medium high heat on your stovetop.
Step 2: Brown The Sausage
Take your chicken sausages and use a fork to gently prick them a few times. This helps them cook evenly and prevents them from bursting. Place them in the hot skillet. You want to get a nice brown color on them, so let them cook for about two minutes per side.
Once they are browned, remove them from the skillet and set them on a cutting board to cool for a moment. Don’t wipe out the pan! All those brown bits are pure flavor. Once the sausages are cool enough to handle, slice them into quarter inch thick coins.
Step 3: Sauté The Aromatics
Now, add your diced onion to that same skillet. Stir it around and cook until it becomes soft and translucent. This should take about five minutes. The onion will pick up all that tasty flavor left behind by the sausage. It’s a key step in building a rich base for your dish.
Next, add the smashed garlic cloves and the whole cherry tomatoes to the pan. Give everything a good stir. The garlic will become fragrant almost immediately. The tomatoes will start to soften slightly.
Step 4: Toast The Rice And Add Liquids
Stir in the long grain rice. You want to coat every grain with the oil and flavors in the pan. Let it toast for about a minute. This little step helps the rice stay fluffy and not get mushy later on. Now, pour in the chicken broth. If you’re using them, add the crushed red pepper flakes and season with salt and pepper.
Step 5: Simmer And Bake
Add the sliced chicken sausage back into the skillet. Stir everything together gently. Bring the whole mixture to a simmer on the stovetop. Once it’s simmering, cover the skillet with a tight fitting lid and carefully place it in your preheated oven. Let it bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
Step 6: Rest And Garnish
This might be the most important step. Remove the skillet from the oven and let it rest, with the lid still on, for five minutes. This allows the rice to finish steaming and absorb any remaining liquid. It’s the secret to getting that great texture. After resting, carefully remove the lid with an oven mitt. Garnish with the freshly chopped parsley, serve it up, and enjoy your delicious meal!
How To Store Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, storing them is simple. Just allow the dish to cool completely to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and tasty for up to three to four days, making it great for lunches.
When you’re ready to reheat, you can use the microwave for a quick option. Just heat in 30 second intervals until warm. Or, you can reheat it on the stovetop in a skillet over low heat. I like to add a splash of chicken broth or water to help revive the rice and keep it from drying out.
Tips
Want to make this dish even better? Here are a few simple tips. First, don’t skip browning the sausage. That step adds so much deep, savory flavor that you just can’t get otherwise. It really makes a difference in the final taste of these easy dinner recipes.
Feel free to add more vegetables. Diced bell peppers, zucchini, or even a handful of spinach stirred in at the end would be fantastic additions. This is one of the most flexible dinner ideas recipes you can find, so make it your own.
Using a good quality, low sodium chicken broth allows you to control the saltiness of the dish yourself. It forms the foundation of the sauce that the rice cooks in, so a flavorful broth is key.
Finally, let the dish rest after it comes out of the oven. I know it’s tempting to dig right in, but that five minute rest period is crucial for perfectly fluffy rice every single time. It’s a small detail that makes all the difference for easy weeknight dinners.
Conclusion
There you have it. A truly wonderful one pan meal that proves easy dinner recipes don’t have to be boring. This chicken sausage and rice skillet is flavorful, comforting, and so simple to put together. It is a fantastic option for any night of the week.
It’s the kind of meal that brings comfort and ease to your kitchen. I hope you give this recipe a try and that it becomes one of your family’s favorite kid friendly dinners. Enjoy every delicious bite!
FAQ
Can I Use A Different Type Of Sausage?
Absolutely! This recipe is very flexible. You could use pork sausage, turkey sausage, or even a spicy andouille if you like a little kick. A plant based sausage would also work well for a vegetarian option. Just be sure to brown it nicely.
What If I Don’t Have An Oven Safe Skillet?
No problem at all. You can follow all the stovetop steps in a regular skillet. When it’s time to bake, simply transfer the entire mixture into a greased baking dish, cover it tightly with foil, and bake as directed. It’s an easy workaround for one of the best easy dinner recipes.
Can I Use Brown Rice Instead Of White Rice?
You can, but you will need to make some adjustments. Brown rice takes longer to cook and requires more liquid. You would need to increase the chicken broth to about two and a half cups and increase the baking time to around 40 to 50 minutes.
Is This Recipe Good For Meal Prep?
Yes, this is a great recipe for meal prep. Once it’s cooked and cooled, you can portion it out into individual containers. It makes for fantastic, ready to go lunches throughout the week, which is ideal for busy folks who need easy weeknight dinners and lunches.
What Can I Serve With This Dish?
This is a complete meal on its own, but a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette would be a nice, fresh accompaniment. You could also serve it with some steamed green beans or broccoli to add some extra green vegetables to your plate.
One Pan Chicken Sausage and Rice Skillet
This one pan chicken sausage and rice skillet is a total win. It’s one of those amazing easy weeknight dinners that the whole family will enjoy. It is packed with flavor, comes together quickly, and leaves you with minimal cleanup.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- First things first, get your oven preheating to 350 degrees F. Grab a large oven safe skillet, like a cast iron pan if you have one. Add the olive oil and set it over medium high heat on your stovetop.
- Take your chicken sausages and use a fork to gently prick them a few times. Place them in the hot skillet. Let them cook for about two minutes per side until nicely browned. Once browned, remove them from the skillet and set them on a cutting board to cool for a moment. Don’t wipe out the pan! Once the sausages are cool enough to handle, slice them into quarter inch thick coins.
- Now, add your diced onion to that same skillet. Stir it around and cook until it becomes soft and translucent, about five minutes. Next, add the smashed garlic cloves and the whole cherry tomatoes to the pan. Give everything a good stir.
- Stir in the long grain rice. Let it toast for about a minute. Now, pour in the chicken broth. If you’re using them, add the crushed red pepper flakes and season with salt and pepper.
- Add the sliced chicken sausage back into the skillet. Stir everything together gently. Bring the whole mixture to a simmer on the stovetop. Once it’s simmering, cover the skillet with a tight fitting lid and carefully place it in your preheated oven. Let it bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
- Remove the skillet from the oven and let it rest, with the lid still on, for five minutes. Garnish with the freshly chopped parsley, serve it up, and enjoy your delicious meal!
Notes
Allow the dish to cool completely to room temperature. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three to four days, making it great for lunches.
Don’t skip browning the sausage. That step adds so much deep, savory flavor that you just can’t get otherwise.
Feel free to add more vegetables. Diced bell peppers, zucchini, or even a handful of spinach stirred in at the end would be fantastic additions.
Using a good quality, low sodium chicken broth allows you to control the saltiness of the dish yourself.
Let the dish rest after it comes out of the oven. This five minute rest period is crucial for perfectly fluffy rice every single time.
When you’re ready to reheat, you can use the microwave for a quick option, or reheat it on the stovetop in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to revive the rice.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
