PASTA WITH BRAISED CHICKEN AND SAUSAGE RECIPE
Tender chicken braised with hot Italian sausage, tomatoes, white wine, and garlic makes a delicious topping for pasta.
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Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 760kcal
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, or a whole chicken cut into 10 pieces
- kosher salt, to taste
- freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound spicy Italian sausage, each link cut in half
- 1 medium yellow onion, medium dice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup white wine
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 3/4 cups chicken stock, or low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 pound small pasta such as shells, rigatoni, or orecchietti
- 1/4 cup torn basil leaves
Instructions
- Season chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper on all sides. Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large 5 quart braiser or Dutch oven. Once shimmering, add chicken skin side down and let cook undisturbed until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Flip and brown other side. Remove to a baking sheet and add sausage. Brown sauage and place on baking sheet with chicken.
- Add onion and garlic to pan and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until onion starts to brown. Add wine and scrape any browned bits that have stuck to the bottom of the pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Add crushed tomatoes to the pan along with the chicken stock. Arrange chicken and sausage in pan, cover and let gently simmer on low heat until chicken and sausage are cooked through, about 40 minutes. Taste sauce and add more salt if necessary.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over high heat. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions. Drain and transfer pasta back to the pot. Spoon several spoonfuls of sauce over the pasta.
- Spoon pasta onto a serving dish. Top with chicken and sausage and spoon more sauce over the top. Sprinkle with the basil leave and serve.
Notes
- Cooking Time Variations: While the recommended cooking time for this braised chicken recipe is about an hour, you can extend it for even more flavor. Consider simmering the dish for up to 2 hours if you have the extra time. This will help to further concentrate the flavors and make the chicken even more tender.
- Customizing the Spiciness: If you prefer a milder version, feel free to substitute the spicy Italian sausage with sweet Italian sausage. This way, you can still enjoy the flavorful combination of sausage and chicken without the added heat.
- Freezing and Reheating: This braised chicken dish can be easily frozen for later consumption. Once cooled, store it in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. To ensure it is thoroughly heated, use a sauté pan and warm the thickest part of the chicken until it reaches the desired temperature.
- Pairing Suggestions: While serving the braised chicken and sausage with pasta is delightful on its own, consider adding complementary side dishes to enhance the meal. A simple arugula and spinach salad can provide a refreshing contrast, while crusty bread can be used to mop up the delicious sauce. Feel free to get creative and experiment with different sides to suit your taste preferences.