One Pot Creamy Rice with Chicken Sausage (gluten-free)

This One Pot Creamy Rice with Chicken Sausage is packed with flavor, protein and is an easy 30 minute meal made with gluten-free ingredients. Such an easy weeknight dinner idea that requires minimal prep.

If you’re looking for a hearty, delicious meal that’s packed with flavor yet simple to make, look no further than this One Pot Creamy Rice with Chicken Sausage. It’s the perfect dinner for busy weeknights or even a cozy weekend meal when you want something satisfying but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. Featuring chicken sausage, creamy coconut milk, and tender basmati rice, this dish offers layers of flavors that are savory, comforting, and just a little indulgent. Plus, the addition of spinach makes it nutritious, while parmesan cheese delivers that unmistakable depth of flavor.

In this blog post, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process to prepare this fantastic dish, along with a few helpful tips for cooking creamy rice with chicken sausage to perfection. Let’s get started!

Why You’ll Love This One Pot Creamy Rice with Sausage:

1. One Pot Wonder: One of the best things about this recipe is that it’s a one-pot meal. That means less cleanup, fewer dishes to wash, and more time to enjoy your evening. All the flavors meld beautifully together in one pot, ensuring every bite is filled with creamy, savory goodness.

2. Balanced and Nutritious: This recipe is not only delicious but also nutritious. With protein-packed chicken sausage, energy-boosting basmati rice, and nutrient-rich spinach, it’s a wholesome meal that will satisfy the whole family. The coconut milk adds a creamy texture without needing heavy cream, and parmesan cheese brings an irresistible richness.

3. Quick and Easy: It takes only about 30 minutes to make this creamy rice with chicken sausage from start to finish, making it an excellent choice for a last-minute meal or a planned weeknight dinner.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• Chicken Sausage Links (I use Sweet Italian): Chicken sausage is lighter than pork sausage, and using a sweet Italian variety brings a subtle sweetness with a hint of spice, which works beautifully with the creamy rice. The sausage is cut into 1/4 inch quarter-sized rounds to ensure that every bite has a perfect ratio of rice and sausage.

• Olive Oil: Used to brown the sausage and sauté the garlic, olive oil adds a subtle flavor and helps create a flavorful base for the dish.

• Basmati Rice: This long-grain rice has a light and fluffy texture, and it cooks quickly while absorbing the creamy coconut milk and broth, resulting in perfectly tender rice.

• Garlic Cloves: Garlic adds a depth of flavor to the rice and sausage, bringing an aromatic touch that enhances the overall taste of the dish.

• Full-Fat Coconut Milk: Coconut milk is the secret ingredient in this recipe. It adds creaminess without being too heavy and pairs surprisingly well with parmesan cheese.

• Chicken Broth or Veggie Bone Broth: Either broth works here, but using chicken broth complements the chicken sausage. If you’re looking for a vegan option, veggie bone broth provides the same richness.

• Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan is essential in this recipe as it thickens the sauce and adds that sharp, nutty flavor, making the rice extra creamy.

• Baby Spinach: Adding spinach at the end not only brightens the dish but also adds a serving of greens to your meal. Spinach wilts quickly, blending seamlessly into the creamy rice.

Step-by-Step Recipe How to:

Step 1: Brown the Chicken Sausage

Start by heating a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken sausage rounds to the pot. Sauté the sausage for about 5-7 minutes, flipping occasionally, until they’re browned on all sides. Browning the sausage helps intensify its flavor, and those golden-brown bits left in the pan will give the rice a delicious boost.

Step 2: Sauté the Garlic

Once the sausage is browned, remove it from the pot and set it aside. In the same pot, add the minced garlic. You can add a little more olive oil if necessary. Sauté the garlic for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently until it becomes fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic burn, as this can impart a bitter flavor.

Step 3: Toast the Rice

Add the basmati rice to the pot with the garlic and stir it well to coat the grains in the oil and garlic mixture. Toast the rice for about 2 minutes, which helps enhance its flavor and prevents it from becoming too mushy during cooking.

Step 4: Add Liquid Ingredients

Next, pour in the chicken broth and coconut milk, stirring well to combine. Season with sea salt, black pepper, and dried basil. Stir to make sure everything is well mixed, then bring the liquid to a gentle boil.

Step 5: Simmer the Rice

Once the mixture starts to boil, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer. Cook the rice for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If you find that the rice is absorbing the liquid too quickly, you can add a little more broth or water.

Step 6: Stir in the Sausage and Parmesan

Once the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid, stir the browned chicken sausage back into the pot. At this stage, add the grated parmesan cheese and stir until the cheese is fully melted and incorporated into the creamy sauce. The rice should now be perfectly creamy and coated in a rich, cheesy sauce.

Step 7: Add Spinach and Serve

Finally, stir in the chopped baby spinach. The spinach will wilt quickly in the hot rice, taking just about 2 minutes to soften. Once the spinach is fully incorporated, taste the dish and adjust the seasonings with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Tips for Cooking the Perfect Creamy Rice with Chicken Sausage:

• Choosing the Right Sausage: I love using sweet Italian chicken sausage for this recipe because it balances the richness of the rice and the creaminess of the coconut milk. You can also experiment with other sausage varieties, such as spicy Italian or apple-flavored sausage, to switch things up.

• Use Full-Fat Coconut Milk: For the creamiest texture, be sure to use full-fat coconut milk. Light coconut milk won’t give you the same velvety consistency, and the dish might turn out thinner than desired.

• Add Veggies: Spinach works wonderfully in this dish, but feel free to get creative! You can add other veggies like kale, peas, or even roasted bell peppers to pack in more nutrition.

• Parmesan Alternatives: If you want to make this dish dairy-free, you can substitute the parmesan with a dairy-free alternative. Nutritional yeast is a great option to add a cheesy flavor without the dairy.

This one pot creamy rice with chicken sausage is a fantastic recipe for anyone who loves simple, satisfying, and wholesome meals. With minimal ingredients, you can create a comforting dish that’s rich in flavor and texture. Plus, it’s versatile enough to adjust based on what you have in your pantry. Whether you’re cooking for your family or meal-prepping for the week, this dish is sure to be a hit. Give it a try, and let me know how it turns out!

A few other healthy one pot dinner ideas:

One Pot Creamy Pasta (gluten-free)

The BEST One Pot Pad Thai Noodles

Healthy 20-minute One Pot Fried Rice

One Pot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Rice

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