One Pot Southern Chicken and Sausage Rice Dinner is a complete high protein meal that brings together tender chicken, smoky kielbasa, fluffy rice, and fresh vegetables in one pot.
This recipe is a weeknight lifesaver when you want something filling without spending hours in the kitchen or dealing with a mountain of dirty dishes.
The flavors in this dish come from a mix of simple seasonings like cayenne pepper, onion powder, and garlic. The chicken broth cooks into the rice and gives it a rich, savory taste.
The kielbasa adds a smoky kick that pairs perfectly with the tender chicken. Bell peppers, celery, and onion add texture and freshness to every bite.
This recipe is great for busy families. It’s ready in 45 minutes from start to finish. You can adjust the spice level to match what your family likes. If you want it milder, use less cayenne pepper and hot sauce.
If you want more heat, add extra. The recipe also works well for meal prep since it reheats easily and tastes just as good the next day.
You’ll need chicken breast, kielbasa, white rice, chicken broth, onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, and a few pantry spices. Everything cooks together in one pot, which means less cleanup and more time to relax after dinner.
Why You’ll Love This One Pot Southern Chicken and Sausage Rice Dinner
One Pot Convenience
This recipe only uses one pot. You won’t have multiple pans and bowls to wash at the end of the night. A large pot is all you need to make this entire meal.
Ready in 45 Minutes
From the moment you start cooking to sitting down at the table, this meal takes 45 minutes. It’s perfect for weeknights when you don’t have a lot of time but still want a home-cooked dinner.
Budget Friendly
The ingredients are affordable and easy to find at any grocery store. Chicken breast, kielbasa, rice, and basic vegetables won’t break the bank. You can feed a family of six without spending a lot of money.
Kid Friendly
The flavors are balanced and not too spicy for most kids. You can control the heat level by adjusting the cayenne pepper and hot sauce. It’s a meal the whole family can enjoy without making separate dishes.
Great for Meal Prep
This recipe stores well in the fridge and reheats beautifully. Make it on Sunday and have lunches or dinners ready for the week. The flavors actually get better after sitting for a day.
Full of Flavor
The combination of chicken, kielbasa, and vegetables creates layers of flavor. The rice soaks up the chicken broth and seasonings, making every bite tasty. The Worcestershire sauce and hot pepper sauce add depth without overpowering the dish.
Ingredient Substitutions
Chicken Thighs Instead of Chicken Breast
Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer. They stay moist and add more flavor to the dish.
Turkey Sausage Instead of Kielbasa
Swap the kielbasa for turkey sausage if you want a lighter option. Andouille sausage also works well if you want more spice.
Brown Rice Instead of White Rice
Use brown rice for more fiber and nutrients. You’ll need to add more broth and cook it longer, about 40 minutes instead of 20.
Vegetable Broth Instead of Chicken Broth
Use vegetable broth if you want to make this recipe vegetarian. Leave out the chicken and kielbasa and add extra vegetables like mushrooms and zucchini.
Red Bell Pepper Instead of Green Bell Pepper
Any color bell pepper works in this recipe. Red, yellow, or orange peppers add a slightly sweeter flavor than green peppers.
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One Pot Southern Chicken and Sausage Rice Dinner
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 ounces kielbasa sliced
- 1 onion diced
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- ½ cup celery diced
- 2 tablespoon garlic chopped
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- salt to taste
- ground black pepper to taste
- 2 cups white rice
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 3 bay leaves
- 2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken and kielbasa to the pot.
- Cook until the meat is lightly browned, about 5 minutes, stirring often.
- Add the onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic to the pot.
- Sprinkle in the cayenne pepper, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Cook and stir until the onion becomes soft and see-through, about 5 minutes.
- Add the rice to the pot and stir to combine.
- Pour in the chicken broth and add the bay leaves.
- Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Lower the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
- Check that the rice is soft and tender.
- Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and hot pepper sauce.
- Remove the bay leaves before serving.
Notes
Tips and Tricks
Cut the chicken into even pieces – Make sure all the chicken pieces are roughly the same size so they cook at the same rate. This prevents some pieces from being overcooked while others are undercooked. Don’t skip browning the meat – Browning the chicken and kielbasa adds flavor to the entire dish. The browned bits that stick to the bottom of the pot will mix into the rice and create a richer taste. Use long grain white rice – Long grain rice works best for this recipe because it stays fluffy and doesn’t get mushy. Avoid instant rice because it won’t hold up well during the cooking time. Let it rest before serving – After you turn off the heat, let the pot sit covered for 5 minutes. This allows the rice to absorb any remaining liquid and helps everything settle. Adjust the liquid if needed – If your rice isn’t tender after 20 minutes, add a little more broth or water and continue cooking. Different brands of rice can absorb liquid differently. Remove the bay leaves – Don’t forget to take out the bay leaves before serving. They add flavor while cooking but aren’t meant to be eaten.Storing and Reheating
Store in the Refrigerator – Place leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freeze for Later – This recipe freezes well for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Reheat on Stovetop – Place a serving in a saucepan with 1 to 2 tablespoons water or chicken broth. Warm over low heat, stirring until heated through. Reheat in Microwave – Place a serving in a microwave-safe bowl and add a tablespoon of water. Cover with a damp paper towel and microwave on high for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring halfway through.Nutrition
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