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Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage

If you have some Italian chicken sausage on hand and are unsure what to do with it – make this 30-min chicken sausage skillet. You’ll have a delicious, veggie-packed meal on the table quickly and full of flavor without a lot of hassle!

Skillet with Italian Chicken Sausage cooked with vegetables and topped with shredded Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

One skillet meals are my favorite. Are they yours, too? I love the way bulk sausage can single-handedly flavor an entire dish. Chicken Italian sausage is light and pairs so well with vegetables and you can do it all in one pan!

Speaking of vegetables, you can use any quick-cooking vegetables here! This recipe is super adaptable. (And quick! Have I mentioned that already?) It’s delicious as is or paired with some seasoned rice or other grain.

Why I love this Ground Chicken Sausage Skillet

One pan or one skillet meals like this Italian chicken sausage skillet are some of my favorites because, by default, they save me from myself. And from destroying my kitchen.

They are also usually filled with veggies.

Most of the time my kids like them.

And they’re finished in under 30 minutes.

So, basically they’re unicorn recipes. I linked to more of my favorite one skillet dishes below!

View of skillet mid-way through cooking. Vegetables had just been added to the ground chicken sausage.

Chicken Italian Sausage Skillet Ingredients

  • Italian chicken sausage
  • Broccoli
  • Cabbage
  • Red bell pepper
  • Sea salt
  • Avocado oil
  • Red wine vinegar
  • Desired toppings: Grated parmesan cheese, fresh basil, red pepper flakes

How to make Italian Chicken Sausage

You can 100% use store bought Italian style sausage for this recipe (most grocery stores will have it)

If you don’t know where to buy Italian chicken sausage or prefer to have more control over the ingredients (I see you) you can simply use ground chicken or ground turkey and add some spices to make your own Italian chicken sausage mix.

I highly recommend using my Homemade Italian Seasoning because it’s different from the herb-only Italian seasoning you find at the grocery store. The bits of dried minced garlic, onions, and red pepper flakes add a little zestiness. Again, if you don’t want to make this spice blend, I included alternate instructions in the recipe notes.

Chicken Sausage Skillet Variations

What kind of sausage is best for this Italian Chicken Sausage Skillet?

I like to use sweet Italian chicken sausage — especially the kind at Trader Joe’s since it’s easy to remove from its casings and the flavor is delicious. (I use that kind of ground Italian chicken sausage when I make Zuppa Toscana, too.)

Hot Italian chicken sausage is also good if you’re looking to add some heat.

You could use pork Italian sausage, but since it has a higher fat content, it might make your skillet greasier.

Black bowl with a serving of the Italian Chicken Sausage Skillet. Shows block of fresh parmesan and chili crunch off to the side.

What vegetables go best in this Chicken Sausage Skillet?

Any quick-cooking vegetables that will be crisp tender with about 5 minutes of steaming are best. Here are a few suggestions:

  • Broccoli florets
  • Sliced bell peppers
  • Chopped cabbage
  • Brussels sprouts (quartered or sliced thinly)
  • Thinly sliced zucchini & yellow squash
  • Grean beans 
  • Cauliflower florets (cut small)
  • Shredded carrots
  • Shredded sweet potatoes

Low Carb Ground Italian Chicken Sausage Skillet

Using starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes will add more carbs.

Grab an extra package of sausage and make one of these other ground Italian chicken sausage recipes!

How to serve this Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage Skillet

You can 100% eat this as written in the recipe. I added a few toppings for the photos because I was feeling a little extra.

Here are some suggestions for toppings and sides to zhuzh up this one skillet meal:

Toppings:

  • Feta, ricotta, goat cheese or grated Parmesan cheese 
  • Fresh basil
  • Marinara sauce
  • Toasted pine nuts
  • Marinated artichoke hearts
  • Chili crunch or red pepper flakes for some heat
  • Balsamic glaze
  • Drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil & lemon juice

Sides:

  • Salad greens & a light Italian-style vinaigrette over the whole thing
  • Rice, quinoa, or farro
  • Gluten free pasta
  • Vegan Roasted Red Pepper Sauce (I happen to have this on hand when I was testing this recipe and it was REALLY good with it!)

How to store this Ground Chicken Sausage Skillet

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Reheating leftover Chicken Sausage Skillet

Scoop some into a dish, cover and microwave for about 1 minute or until heated through.

Another view of a serving of this Italian style sausage skillet with some vegan roasted red pepper sauce added.

More recipes using chicken Italian sausage

Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana

Italian Paleo Stuffed Zucchini

Easy Italian Sausage Meatballs

More one skillet meals

If you like this recipe try another of our one skillet favorites!

Egg Roll in a Bowl with Sriracha Mayo

Coconut Chicken Thighs and Rice Skillet

Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Skillet

Easy Cajun Rice & Sausage Skillet

Easy Lentil Curry

Quick Ham & Brussels Sprout Hash

Chicken & Spinach Curry (Chicken Saag)

Quick Thai Fish Curry


If you make one of my recipes, be sure to post it on social media and tag me at @perrysplate or #perrysplate so I can send you some love!

One-Pot Ground Italian Chicken Sausage

One-Pot Ground Italian Chicken Sausage

Yield: Serves 6 generously
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

This easy skillet meal can be made with Italian chicken sausage or simply ground chicken or ground turkey with some extra seasonings! Add your favorite quick-cooking vegetables for a meal that's ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground Italian chicken sausage
  • 2 broccoli crowns, cut into florets
  • 1/2 small head cabbage, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 Tablespoons avocado oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • Desired toppings: Grated parmesan cheese, fresh basil, red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Bring a very large lidded skillet to high heat. Remove the sausage from its casings (if necessary) and add to skillet. Break the sausage into small pieces, stirring as it browns. Cook until no pink spots remain, about 10-12 minutes.
  2. Add the avocado oil to the pan and continue to cook and crisp up the sausage for another 2-3 minutes.
  3. Add the vegetables and salt and stir to combine. Pour the red wine vinegar around in the pan, then cover and let it steam for about 5 minutes, until the vegetables are crisp tender.
  4. Remove from heat and add desired toppings. Serve.

Notes

  1. If you can't find Italian chicken sausage, cook 1 pound of ground chicken or turkey with 2 Tablespoons of my Homemade Italian Seasoning. Or 1 Tablespoon regular Italian seasoning + 1 1/2 teaspoons dried minced onion + 1 1/2 teaspoons dried minced garlic (or 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic).
  2. Feel free to use any quick-cooking vegetable you like here -- ones that will be crisp tender with about 5 minutes of steaming. You should have a generous amount of vegetables -- roughly 7-8 cups. See blog post for more vegetable ideas.
  3. I really loved this skillet served with a few spoonfuls of my Vegan Roasted Red Pepper Sauce. See blog post for more serving ideas.
Nutrition Information
Yield 6 Serving Size 2 cups
Amount Per Serving Calories 210Total Fat 13gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 8gCholesterol 70mgSodium 703mgCarbohydrates 3gFiber 1gSugar 2gProtein 19g

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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