Cozy Southern Chicken Bog with Sausage and Rice
After making Southern Chicken Bog dozens of times, I’ve perfected this cozy, hearty dish that’s perfect for chilly nights. With juicy chicken, savory sausage, and tender rice, it’s a comforting bowl of Southern goodness that’s better than takeout. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Crock Pot Crack Chicken Recipe for Busy Weeknights and Easy Cherry Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Fresh Herbs.
Why This Cozy Southern Chicken Bog with Sausage and Rice Is Pure Comfort
- One-pot comfort food
- Easy to customize with your favorite veggies
- Perfect for meal prepping
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
- onion
- bell pepper
- chicken broth
- Cajun seasoning
- garlic
- bay leaves
- thyme
- Optional: green onions
- Optional: parsley
- Optional: hot sauce
📝 Ingredient Notes
- chicken breasts: Bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts work best for flavor.
- sausage: Use your favorite smoked sausage for the best flavor.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Saves time and energy by cooking this dish quickly and evenly. → See on Amazon
- Cast iron skillet — Distributes heat evenly for perfect searing and cooking. → 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. Sear in a large skillet until browned, then set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, cook sausage until browned. Remove and slice.
- Step 3: Add onion and bell pepper to the skillet. Cook until softened.
- Step 4: Stir in garlic, bay leaves, and thyme. Cook for 1 minute.
- Step 5: Add rice and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Step 6: Return chicken and sausage to the skillet. Cover and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
- Step 7: Garnish with green onions and parsley. Serve with hot sauce on the side.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Southern Chicken Bog with Sausage and Rice
- : Using bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts adds more flavor to the dish.
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the rice. It can become mushy. If this happens, add more chicken broth and cook for a few more minutes to loosen it up.
- : For a spicier version, add diced jalapeños when cooking the onions and peppers.
- : To make this dish in the Instant Pot, sear the chicken and sausage first, then add all ingredients and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
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 for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: This dish can be made ahead and reheated when ready to serve.
Freezing Cozy Southern Chicken Bog with Sausage and Rice
Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker version, use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. The flavor won't be as deep, but it will still be delicious.
- Best substitution: Substitute the sausage with diced ham or bacon for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead and reheated when ready to serve. It also freezes well.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the rice is still crunchy after 20 minutes, add more chicken broth and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality Cajun seasoning — Adds authentic Southern flavor to your dish. → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Southern Chicken Bog with Sausage and Rice
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- chicken breasts
- sausage
- rice
- onion
- bell pepper
Seasonings
- chicken broth
- Cajun seasoning
- garlic
- bay leaves
- thyme
Optional Toppings
- green onions
- parsley
- hot sauce
Instructions
- Step 1: Season chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sear in a large skillet until browned, then set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, cook sausage until browned. Remove and slice.
- Step 3: Add onion and bell pepper to the skillet. Cook until softened.
- Step 4: Stir in garlic, bay leaves, and thyme. Cook for 1 minute.
- Step 5: Add rice and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Step 6: Return chicken and sausage to the skillet. Cover and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
- Step 7: Garnish with green onions and parsley. Serve with hot sauce on the side.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker version, use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. The flavor won't be as deep, but it will still be delicious.
- Best substitution: Substitute the sausage with diced ham or bacon for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead and reheated when ready to serve. It also freezes well.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the rice is still crunchy after 20 minutes, add more chicken broth and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
- Make ahead: This dish can be made ahead and reheated when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Cholesterol: 105mg
- Sat. Fat: 6g
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 and reheated when ready to serve. It also freezes well.
If the rice is still crunchy after 20 minutes, add more chicken broth and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes. If the dish is still dry after cooking, add a little more chicken broth and cook for a few more minutes.
Yes, sear the chicken and sausage first, then add all ingredients and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
You can substitute the sausage with diced ham or bacon for a different flavor profile.
This dish can be made healthier by using lean chicken breasts and reducing the amount of sausage. It's also high in protein and fiber from the rice.
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!
