How to make Air Fryer Chicken Sausage and Veggies
Making Air Fryer Chicken Sausage and Veggies is simple and quick, perfect for a weeknight dinner. This dish is flavorful, colorful, and packed with nutrients. Let’s dive into how you can prepare this delicious meal in your air fryer.
Ingredients
- 1 large red bell pepper – cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 large orange bell pepper – cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 red onion – peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 medium zucchini – cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 package (12 oz) chicken sausage – robust Italian flavor
Directions
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Chop the Veggies: Start by chopping the red and orange bell peppers, red onion, and zucchini into 1-inch pieces. This makes them easy to cook and eat.
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Prepare the Veggies: Place the chopped veggies in a large bowl. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of avocado oil over them and toss to coat. This will help the spices stick and add flavor.
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Mix the Spices: In a smaller bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix well to create your spice blend.
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Season the Veggies: Pour the spice blend over the veggies in the large bowl. Toss everything together to ensure the veggies are evenly coated with the spices.
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Slice the Sausage: Take the chicken sausage and slice it into 3/4 inch rounds. Add the sausage rounds to the bowl with the veggies. Toss gently to combine all the ingredients.
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Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C). If your air fryer does not need preheating, simply skip this step.
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Prepare the Air Fryer Basket: Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
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Air Fry the Mixture: Add the seasoned veggies and sausage to the air fryer basket in an even layer. Cook for 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure they cook evenly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook in batches.
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Serve: Once cooking is complete, carefully remove the Air Fryer Chicken Sausage and Veggies from the basket. You can serve it on its own or with cooked cauliflower rice or brown rice for a complete meal.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Chicken Sausage and Veggies
This dish is packed with vibrant colors and delicious flavors. Here are a few reasons to love it:
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Easy to Make: With only a few steps and minimal prep, you can have this meal ready in about 20 minutes.
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Healthy Ingredients: Packed with vegetables and lean protein from chicken sausage, this meal is full of nutrients.
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Versatile: You can easily switch up the vegetables based on what you have on hand or what’s in season.
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Perfect for Meal Prep: This dish stores well and can be enjoyed throughout the week.
Nutritional Benefits
This meal is not only tasty but also beneficial for your health. Here are some key nutritional benefits:
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High in Protein: Chicken sausage provides lean protein, essential for muscle growth and repair.
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Rich in Vitamins: Vegetables like bell peppers and zucchini are high in vitamins A and C, which are great for your immune system.
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Low in Carbs: This dish is low in carbohydrates, making it great for those watching their carb intake.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Sausage and Veggies
You can serve this dish with several sides to enhance the meal:
| Side Dish | Description |
|———————-|————————————————–|
| Cauliflower Rice | A low-carb alternative to rice, perfect for soaking up flavors. |
| Brown Rice | Adds a hearty element to your meal and is a good source of fiber. |
| Quinoa | High in protein and a great gluten-free option. |
| Fresh Salad | A simple green salad adds freshness and crunch. |
How to Store Air Fryer Chicken Sausage and Veggies
Storing leftover Air Fryer Chicken Sausage and Veggies is easy:
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Refrigerate: Place leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
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Freeze: If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze the dish. Use a freezer-safe container and store it for up to 3 months.
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Reheat: To reheat, simply place it in the air fryer or microwave until warmed through.
Tips and Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some tips to ensure your Air Fryer Chicken Sausage and Veggies turns out perfect:
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Cut Uniformly: Make sure all vegetables are cut to the same size to ensure even cooking.
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Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: If your air fryer is small, cook in batches to avoid steaming the food.
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Season to Taste: Feel free to adjust the spices based on your preference. Add more heat with red pepper flakes if you like spicy food.
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Watch Cooking Time: Every air fryer is different, so keep an eye on your food as it cooks, especially the first time you make this recipe.
Variations
You can customize this recipe in many ways:
- Different Sausage: Try turkey or pork sausage for different flavors.
- Add More Veggies: Don’t be afraid to add in other veggies like carrots, asparagus, or mushrooms for extra variety.
- Change the Seasoning: Swap out the Italian seasoning for other spice blends like taco seasoning for a different flavor profile.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of sausage?
Yes! Feel free to use any type of sausage you prefer, such as turkey or pork. Just adjust the cooking time if needed. -
Do I have to preheat my air fryer?
Not all air fryers require preheating. Check your model’s instructions. If it does require preheating, make sure to do it for best results. -
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can chop the veggies and sausage in advance and store them in the fridge until you’re ready to cook.
In conclusion, Air Fryer Chicken Sausage and Veggies is a delicious and nutritious dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. With its simple preparation and customization options, you can enjoy this meal in many ways. So, grab your air fryer, and enjoy a healthy dinner tonight!
Print
Air Fryer Chicken Sausage and Veggies
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free
Description
A simple and nutritious dish featuring chicken sausage and colorful vegetables, cooked in an air fryer for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 large orange bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 red onion, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 medium zucchini, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 package (12 oz) chicken sausage, robust Italian flavor
Instructions
- Chop the veggies: Cut the red and orange bell peppers, red onion, and zucchini into 1-inch pieces.
- Prepare the veggies: Place chopped veggies in a bowl and drizzle with avocado oil, tossing to coat.
- Mix the spices: In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- Season the veggies: Pour the spice blend over the veggies and toss to coat evenly.
- Slice the sausage: Slice chicken sausage into 3/4 inch rounds and add to the bowl with veggies, tossing gently.
- Preheat the air fryer: Heat air fryer to 390°F (200°C).
- Prepare the air fryer basket: Spray with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Air fry the mixture: Add seasoned veggies and sausage to the basket and cook for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Serve: Carefully remove from the basket and enjoy on its own or with sides like cauliflower rice or brown rice.
Notes
Serve with various sides for a complete meal, and you can customize the vegetables based on what you have.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
