Cozy Southern Chicken Bog with Sausage and Rice
Southern Chicken Bog is a hearty, comforting one-pot meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to the perfect creamy texture is to let the rice soak up the broth slowly. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Roasted Potato Salad and Sweet and Tangy Cranberry Meatballs.
Why This Cozy Southern Chicken Bog with Sausage and Rice Is Pure Comfort
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Comforting and hearty, perfect for cold nights
- Better than takeout and freezes well for meal prep
What You'll Need for Cozy Southern Chicken Bog with Sausage and Rice
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- chicken breasts
- sausage
- rice
- chicken broth
- onion
- bell pepper
- garlic
- Cajun seasoning
- thyme
- bay leaves
- salt
- black pepper
- Optional: green onions
- Optional: parsley
- Optional: shredded cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- chicken broth: You can use chicken broth or chicken stock for this recipe.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Saves time and energy, perfect for one-pot meals → See on Amazon
- Cast iron skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Southern Chicken Bog with Sausage and Rice
- Step 1: Season chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook in a large skillet until browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, cook sausage until browned. Remove from skillet and set aside with chicken.
- Step 3: Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the skillet. Cook until softened. Stir in rice, chicken broth, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for 20 minutes.
- Step 4: Chop cooked chicken and sausage into bite-sized pieces. Stir into the skillet with the rice. Cover and let simmer for another 10 minutes, until the rice is tender and the broth has been absorbed.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Southern Chicken Bog with Sausage and Rice
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the rice. Once it's tender and the broth is absorbed, remove from heat immediately to prevent it from becoming mushy.
- Time-saving tip: You can use a store-bought rotisserie chicken to save time. Just shred the meat and add it to the skillet with the sausage.
- Make-ahead tip: This dish freezes well. Let it cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Storing & Reheating Cozy Southern Chicken Bog with Sausage and Rice
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve.
Freezing Cozy Southern Chicken Bog with Sausage and Rice
Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier version, add some diced jalapeños when cooking the vegetables.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the sausage with diced ham or bacon for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the rice is still hard after 20 minutes, add a little more broth and continue to simmer until tender.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality chicken broth — Rich, flavorful broth makes a big difference in this dish → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Southern Chicken Bog with Sausage and Rice
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- chicken breasts
- sausage
- rice
- chicken broth
- onion
- bell pepper
- garlic
Seasonings
- Cajun seasoning
- thyme
- bay leaves
- salt
- black pepper
Optional Toppings
- green onions
- parsley
- shredded cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Season chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook in a large skillet until browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, cook sausage until browned. Remove from skillet and set aside with chicken.
- Step 3: Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the skillet. Cook until softened. Stir in rice, chicken broth, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for 20 minutes.
- Step 4: Chop cooked chicken and sausage into bite-sized pieces. Stir into the skillet with the rice. Cover and let simmer for another 10 minutes, until the rice is tender and the broth has been absorbed.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier version, add some diced jalapeños when cooking the vegetables.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the sausage with diced ham or bacon for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the rice is still hard after 20 minutes, add a little more broth and continue to simmer until tender.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 520
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 105mg
- Sat. Fat: 7g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cozy Southern Chicken Bog with Sausage and Rice FAQs
Yes, this dish can be made ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve. It also freezes well for up to 3 months.
Overcooking the rice can cause it to become mushy. Once the rice is tender and the broth is absorbed, remove from heat immediately to prevent this.
Yes, you can make this dish in the slow cooker. Cook the chicken and sausage separately, then combine all ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
This dish is hearty and filling on its own, but you can serve it with a side of Easy Roasted Potato Salad or Sweet and Tangy Cranberry Meatballs for a complete meal.
Yes, you can omit the sausage for a simpler version of this dish. You can also substitute it with diced ham or bacon for a different flavor profile.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cozy Southern Chicken Bog with Sausage and Rice and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
