I always enjoy a hearty meal like Chicken Sausages With Zucchini for busy weeknights. I combine sliced chicken sausages, fresh zucchini, and juicy tomatoes with garlic and herbs, all simmered together with pasta and chicken broth. This tasty dish promises a delightful medley of flavors that leaves me craving more.
I recently experimented with a dish that quickly became one of my favorite meals for busy nights. I started off by browning a pound of sliced chicken sausages in olive oil until they were just right.
Then I tossed in a diced onion and three minced garlic cloves to bring in that punch of flavor. I love adding in sliced zucchini and halved cherry tomatoes to mix up the textures and tastes.
Next I stirred in pasta with chicken broth, a sprinkle of dried oregano and dried basil, and even a little red pepper flakes if I was feeling a bit adventurous. It all came together into a one-pot meal that felt simple yet satisfying.
Its perfect for a quick dinner when there’s not much time but still craving that tasty touch of a chicken and zucchini pasta creation that plays well for busy families or even a pasta dish for two. Enjoy!
Why I Like this Recipe
I really like this recipe because it’s super simple and quick to make even when im super busy. First off, cooking it all in one pot saves me tons of time on cleanup and lets all the flavors mix together really nicely. Secondly, I love the blend of savory chicken sausages with the fresh zucchini and tomatoes its just a perfect combo that always hits the spot. I also appreciate how versatile it is since i can easily adjust the heat with red pepper flakes or add more of my favorite herbs if im feeling adventurous. Finally, the pasta gets cooked right in the broth making it extra tasty and comforting so i feel like im having a cozy meal every time i make it.
Ingredients
- Chicken sausages: Packed with protein, add a satisfying hearty, savory flavor burst.
- Olive oil: Delivers healthy fats; its smooth richness helps meld and enhance other tastes.
- Zucchini: Low in calories, offers fiber and a mild slightly sweet crunch.
- Cherry tomatoes: Juicy, tangy tomatoes provide vitamins, color, and a refreshing burst of acidity.
- Pasta: Carbohydrates for energy, it absorbs flavors well and adds a hearty texture.
- Garlic: Boosts aroma, offers a subtle bite and complements the savory sausage taste.
- Onion: Adds natural sweetness its soft texture deepens and rounds out the dish.
- Fresh basil leaves: Offers bright herbal notes perfect for finishing the dish and enhancing fresh flavor.
Ingredient Quantities
- Chicken sausages (1 lb, about 4-5 links, sliced into rounds)
- Olive oil (2 tbsp)
- Onion (1 medium, diced)
- Garlic cloves (3, minced)
- Zucchini (2 medium, sliced into half moons)
- Cherry tomatoes (2 cups, halved) or diced regular tomatoes
- Pasta (8 oz, like penne or rigatoni)
- Chicken broth (2 cups)
- Dried oregano (1 tsp)
- Dried basil (1 tsp)
- Red pepper flakes (optional, 1/2 tsp for some heat)
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
How to Make this
1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium-high heat and add the sliced chicken sausages. Brown them well, stirring occasionally until they’re cooked through, then remove and set aside.
2. In the same pot, toss in the diced onion and cook it until it gets soft and a bit golden, about 4 or 5 minutes.
3. Add the minced garlic and stir for around 30 seconds till you smell its aroma.
4. Now add the sliced zucchini into the pot and cook for a couple of minutes until they start to soften.
5. Put back the chicken sausages into the pot along with the halved cherry tomatoes, and sprinkle in the dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes if you want a little heat.
6. Stir in the pasta, then pour the chicken broth over everything. Season generously with salt and black pepper.
7. Bring the mixture to a simmer then cover the pot. Let it cook for around 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente.
8. Once the pasta is done, give the dish a good stir, adjust seasonings if needed, and then serve hot.
9. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving for that extra pop of flavor.
Equipment Needed
1. Large pot or deep skillet – to brown the chicken sausages and to simmer the pasta dish
2. Chef’s knife – for slicing the sausages, dicing the onion, and cutting the zucchini
3. Cutting board – to prep the vegetables and meats safely
4. Wooden spoon or spatula – for stirring and cooking the ingredients
5. Measuring spoons – for adding the dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, and salt
6. Measuring cup – to measure out the chicken broth accurately
7. Serving bowl or plates – for serving up the hot pasta dish once it’s done
FAQ
Chicken Sausages With Zucchini, Tomatoes, And Pasta – Flavorful One Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Chicken sausages: You can swap them out with turkey sausages, pork sausages, or even bratwurst if you want a different flavor.
- Olive oil: If you dont have olive oil, try using avocado oil or a neutral vegetable oil instead.
- Chicken broth: Replace it with veggie broth or water mixed with a bouillon cube to keep it flavorful.
- Zucchini: If you’re fresh out, yellow squash or even eggplant can work as a good substitute.
Pro Tips
1. When browning the sausages, try not to crowd the pan. It’ll give you a better sear and adds more flavor overall.
2. Don’t overcook the zucchini – toss it in just until it starts to get soft, or it might turn mushy later.
3. If you like it spicy, be careful with the red pepper flakes. Start with less and then add a bit more if you think it needs an extra kick.
4. Taste the broth as you simmer the dish. Everyone’s salt preference is different, so adjusting while cooking can really make a difference.
Chicken Sausages With Zucchini, Tomatoes, And Pasta – Flavorful One Recipe
My favorite Chicken Sausages With Zucchini, Tomatoes, And Pasta – Flavorful One Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Large pot or deep skillet – to brown the chicken sausages and to simmer the pasta dish
2. Chef’s knife – for slicing the sausages, dicing the onion, and cutting the zucchini
3. Cutting board – to prep the vegetables and meats safely
4. Wooden spoon or spatula – for stirring and cooking the ingredients
5. Measuring spoons – for adding the dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, and salt
6. Measuring cup – to measure out the chicken broth accurately
7. Serving bowl or plates – for serving up the hot pasta dish once it’s done
Ingredients:
- Chicken sausages (1 lb, about 4-5 links, sliced into rounds)
- Olive oil (2 tbsp)
- Onion (1 medium, diced)
- Garlic cloves (3, minced)
- Zucchini (2 medium, sliced into half moons)
- Cherry tomatoes (2 cups, halved) or diced regular tomatoes
- Pasta (8 oz, like penne or rigatoni)
- Chicken broth (2 cups)
- Dried oregano (1 tsp)
- Dried basil (1 tsp)
- Red pepper flakes (optional, 1/2 tsp for some heat)
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium-high heat and add the sliced chicken sausages. Brown them well, stirring occasionally until they’re cooked through, then remove and set aside.
2. In the same pot, toss in the diced onion and cook it until it gets soft and a bit golden, about 4 or 5 minutes.
3. Add the minced garlic and stir for around 30 seconds till you smell its aroma.
4. Now add the sliced zucchini into the pot and cook for a couple of minutes until they start to soften.
5. Put back the chicken sausages into the pot along with the halved cherry tomatoes, and sprinkle in the dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes if you want a little heat.
6. Stir in the pasta, then pour the chicken broth over everything. Season generously with salt and black pepper.
7. Bring the mixture to a simmer then cover the pot. Let it cook for around 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente.
8. Once the pasta is done, give the dish a good stir, adjust seasonings if needed, and then serve hot.
9. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving for that extra pop of flavor.
