Chicken Sausage White Bean Skillet Recipe

I think it’s time I told you about my love for chicken sausage. This Chicken Sausage White Bean Skillet is made with pre-cooked smoky chicken sausage to save you time and creamy white canned beans to save you money. And I’m always excited about an easy one-pan dinner, so this is one you’ll want to keep in your back pocket!

The creamy beans, smoky sausage, tender spinach, and light savory sauce come together quickly in one skillet. I especially like serving it with crusty bread so nothing in that flavorful sauce goes to waste.

Ingredients for Chicken Sausage White Bean Skillet

The goal with this skillet is to capture some of the comforting flavor of slow-cooked beans with smoky meat, but in a much quicker one-pan meal. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Chicken Sausage: You’ll need 4–5 fully cooked chicken sausage links. Use a smoky chicken sausage that you enjoy.
• Onion and Garlic: Diced onion and garlic cook in the skillet after the sausage and add plenty of aromatic flavor.
• White Beans: Creamy cannellini beans work especially well, but another canned white bean such as Great Northern beans or navy beans can also be used.
• Chicken Broth: A little chicken broth warms the beans through and creates a light sauce.
• Spinach: Baby spinach adds color and wilts quickly into the warm beans. Chopped kale can also be used.
• Seasonings: Smoked paprika helps reinforce the smoky flavor, while salt, black pepper, and dried oregano round everything out.

If you want another easy chicken meal with bold flavor, these Honey Garlic Chicken Wings are another option to keep in your rotation.

Recipe Tips

1. Keep an eye on the chicken sausage while it browns. It only needs about 1–2 minutes per side, so remove it once the slices are nicely browned.
2. A large 12-inch skillet gives the sausage enough room to brown in a single layer.
3. Drain the canned beans but don’t rinse them. The small amount of starchy liquid clinging to the beans helps create the light sauce.
4. You can replace the spinach with chopped kale if that’s what you have available.
5. Finish the skillet with freshly grated Parmesan or a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want extra flavor.

Can I Use a Different Type of Sausage?

Yes. You can use another type of fully cooked smoked sausage in this recipe. Chicken sausage keeps the dish lighter, but beef, pork, turkey, or kielbasa-style sausage can also work.

The important part is using fully cooked sausage links, since the recipe only browns the sausage briefly before combining it with the beans.

How to Make Chicken Sausage White Bean Skillet

1. Slice the Chicken Sausage

Slice 4 fully cooked chicken sausage links into round medallions about ¼–½ inch thick.

2. Brown the Sausage

Brown the sliced chicken sausage in a large skillet for about 1–2 minutes on each side. Remove it from the skillet once nicely browned.

3. Cook the Onion and Garlic

In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil along with 1 small diced yellow onion and 2 minced garlic cloves.

Sauté for about 3 minutes, or until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.

For another quick meal built around simple ingredients, these Loaded Hummus Pitas are useful for busy days.

4. Add the White Beans and Broth

Add 2 15-ounce cans of drained cannellini beans to the skillet. Do not rinse them because the residual starch helps create the sauce.

Add ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika, and ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper.

Pour in 1 cup chicken broth, gently stir everything together, and bring the skillet to a simmer. Simmer for 4–5 minutes.

5. Add the Spinach

Add 2 cups chopped spinach and allow the heat from the skillet to wilt it into the beans.

If the bean mixture becomes a little too thick, add about 2 tablespoons of water.

6. Return the Chicken Sausage

Add the browned chicken sausage back to the skillet and gently stir everything together.

If chicken wings are more useful for another meal, these Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings provide another quick chicken option.

Serving Ideas

This Chicken Sausage White Bean Skillet works well as a complete one-pan meal, but crusty bread is especially useful for soaking up the light, creamy bean sauce.

A quick green salad also adds a fresh contrast to the creamy beans and smoky sausage.

For a cold meal option on another day, Chicken Club Pasta Salad gives you a completely different way to serve chicken.

Storing Leftovers

The beans will thicken considerably after refrigeration, but the skillet still reheats well.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I serve with white beans and chicken sausage?

This is already a hearty one-pan meal, so it doesn’t need much on the side. Crusty bread is a great choice because it can soak up the creamy bean sauce, while a simple green salad adds freshness and texture.

Can I use dried beans instead?

This recipe was written using 2 cans of cannellini beans, and the source recipe does not provide an exact dried-bean conversion.

If you choose to use dried white beans, they should be fully cooked until tender before being added to the skillet. Keep in mind that the canned beans also contribute a small amount of starchy liquid to the sauce because they are drained but not rinsed.

Can I use a different type of white bean?

Yes. Cannellini beans are used for their creamy texture, but Great Northern beans or navy beans can also work in this skillet.

Should I rinse the canned beans?

No. Drain the beans but do not rinse them. The starchy liquid clinging to the beans helps create the light sauce in the skillet.

Can I use a different sausage?

Yes. Use another fully cooked smoked sausage such as turkey, beef, pork, or kielbasa-style sausage. The flavor will change slightly depending on the sausage you choose.

Can I replace the spinach?

Yes. Chopped kale is the supported alternative in this recipe. Add it to the hot bean mixture and allow it to soften before serving.

Why did my white bean skillet get too thick?

The starch from the beans naturally thickens the broth as the mixture simmers. If it becomes thicker than you prefer, the recipe allows you to stir in about 2 tablespoons of water.

How long does Chicken Sausage White Bean Skillet keep?

Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. The sauce will thicken after chilling, so gently stir the beans when reheating.

Recipe Card

Use the recipe card below for the complete measured ingredients and step-by-step instructions.

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