Description
Instant Pot Creole Chicken and Turkey Sausage is a vibrant, flavorful dish combining tender chicken thighs, smoky turkey sausage, and smoked turkey bacon simmered in a rich Creole sauce with vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural). This easy one-pot recipe delivers comforting, bold flavors in minutes, perfect for busy weeknights and packed with colorful bell peppers, tomatoes, and aromatic spices for a hearty, wholesome meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins
- 1.5 pounds chicken thighs, bone-in and skin off
- 8 ounces turkey sausage, sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 4 ounces smoked turkey bacon, sliced into bite-sized pieces
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 each red, green, and yellow bell peppers, finely chopped
- 14 ounces crushed tomatoes
Liquids and Seasonings
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1–2 teaspoons natural gelling agent
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning (paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, and herbs)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Chop the onions, bell peppers, and garlic finely. Slice the turkey sausage and smoked turkey bacon into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and well-blended flavors.
- Sauté the Aromatics and Meats: Set the Instant Pot to sauté, heat olive oil, and cook smoked turkey bacon until crisp. Remove and set aside. Then sauté onions, garlic, and bell peppers until softened. Add turkey sausage and chicken thighs, browning lightly to seal in their flavors.
- Add the Seasonings and Liquids: Sprinkle in Creole seasoning, stirring well. Pour in crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), apple cider vinegar, and natural gelling agent. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
- Pressure Cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid and set to high pressure for 15 minutes. After cooking, let it naturally release pressure for 10 minutes, then perform a quick release to finish.
- Final Touches: Open the lid, gently stir the mixture, and return the smoked turkey bacon to the pot. Allow it to sit in the residual heat for a few minutes so the smoky crunch melds with the sauce before serving.
Notes
- Use bone-in chicken thighs, skin off, to retain moisture and flavor.
- Toast Creole seasoning briefly during sautéing for enhanced aroma.
- Do not skip the natural gelling agent; it adds a lovely clingy texture to the sauce.
- Brown the meats thoroughly to build complex flavors.
- Adjust liquid amounts if you prefer a thicker or thinner sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Pressure Cooking
- Cuisine: Creole
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 710 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: Instant Pot, Creole Chicken, Turkey Sausage, One-Pot Meal, Comfort Food, Quick Dinner, Spicy Chicken
