You’ll love how this Air Fryer Chicken Sausage and Veggies recipe turns simple ingredients into a hearty 15-minute meal. It’s colorful, packed with flavor, and completely gluten-free and Whole30-friendly. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or anyone craving a quick and healthy dinner that doesn’t sacrifice taste.
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Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Chicken Sausage and Veggies
This meal is a lifesaver on hectic nights. It’s fast, satisfying, and only needs one air fryer basket, which means almost no cleanup. The tender veggies and juicy sausage cook perfectly crisp while keeping all their natural sweetness. You can swap in your favorite vegetables or use what’s in the fridge, making it flexible and fun to prepare. It’s also great for meal prep since the leftovers reheat beautifully. Each serving is high in protein, low in carbs, and full of flavor — exactly what you want in a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need simple, wholesome ingredients for this recipe. Start with robust Italian chicken sausage — brands like Applegate Farms or Trader Joe’s work wonderfully. Add colorful bell peppers, zucchini, and red onion for sweetness and crunch. A drizzle of avocado oil brings everything together while keeping it light. Garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper add the perfect savory touch. Because the sausage is precooked, everything cooks evenly in just 10 minutes, making this dish fast and foolproof.
Sausage Options and Substitutions
Use high-quality precooked sausage for the best flavor. Try spicy or smoked chicken sausage if you want extra kick, or switch to turkey sausage for a leaner choice. You can also use kielbasa or even plant-based sausage — just adjust the time slightly so everything browns nicely.
Vegetable Variations
Feel free to mix and match your veggies. Yellow squash, mushrooms, carrots, or green beans all roast beautifully in the air fryer. Stick to similar-sized cuts so they cook evenly. Seasonal veggies like asparagus or cherry tomatoes add great variety and color, too.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Sausage and Veggies (Step-by-Step)
Start by chopping all the veggies into even 1-inch pieces. Toss them in a bowl with avocado oil until they’re lightly coated. In a small dish, combine garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle over the vegetables and mix well. Add the sliced chicken sausage and toss again so everything is coated with seasoning. Preheat your air fryer to 390°F if required, then spray the basket with cooking spray. Spread the mixture evenly in the basket without overcrowding. Air fry for 10 minutes, shaking halfway through to get those crispy edges. Serve warm, straight from the fryer, and enjoy the burst of color and aroma.
Cooking Tips for Best Results
Cut everything to the same size so it cooks evenly. Don’t overload the air fryer — work in batches if needed. Always shake or stir halfway through cooking for even crisping. If your air fryer doesn’t have a nonstick basket, spray it lightly with oil. For extra flavor, sprinkle fresh herbs like parsley or basil before serving.
Serving Ideas and Meal Pairings
This dish pairs wonderfully with rice, quinoa, or fluffy cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. You can also spoon it over roasted potatoes or mix it into pasta for a heartier meal. Add sauces like pesto, creamy ranch, or smoky romesco for a flavor boost. For a fun dinner spread, serve it alongside crunchy and tangy air fryer fried pickles or a classic air fryer baked potato made perfectly crisp.
Make-Ahead, Storage, and Reheating
You can chop and season the veggies and sausage up to a day in advance. Store them in the fridge in a covered container until ready to cook. After cooking, refrigerate leftovers for up to four days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes until hot and crisp again. You can also microwave them, but the air fryer gives the best texture. This makes it great for lunches or meal prep during the week.
Oven Method Alternative
No air fryer? No problem. Spread the sausage and veggie mixture on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast in the oven at 425°F for about 20 minutes, stirring halfway through. Everything comes out beautifully roasted with caramelized edges and juicy centers.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy
- golden and juicy Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken
- crunchy and tangy air fryer fried pickles
- classic air fryer baked potato made perfectly crisp
Conclusion or Final Thoughts
This Air Fryer Chicken Sausage and Veggies recipe is the kind of meal you’ll keep coming back to. It’s quick, colorful, and full of flavor, perfect for busy nights or meal prep. Mix up the veggies, change the sausage, and make it your own — either way, you’ll have a healthy, satisfying dinner in minutes. You can find more easy air fryer recipes on Pinterest
Air Fryer Chicken Sausage and Veggies
Equipment
- Air fryer Any 4-quart or larger model works well.
- Mixing bowl For tossing the vegetables and sausage.
- Tongs Helps with flipping halfway through cooking.
Ingredients
- 1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 large orange bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 medium zucchini, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 large red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
- 1 package (12 oz) precooked Italian chicken sausage, sliced into ¾-inch rounds
Instructions
- Chop all vegetables into uniform 1-inch pieces. Add to a large bowl and drizzle with avocado oil. Toss until evenly coated.
- In a small bowl, mix garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle over the vegetables and toss well.
- Add the sliced sausage to the bowl and toss everything together until coated with oil and seasoning.
- Preheat your air fryer to 390°F if needed. Spray the basket lightly with cooking spray, then spread the mixture in a single layer.
- Cook for 10 minutes, shaking or flipping halfway through. The vegetables should be tender and slightly crisp at the edges.
- Serve hot as-is or over rice, potatoes, or cauliflower rice. Add your favorite sauce like pesto or romesco if desired.
