Why I Love This Recipe

A loaded skillet dinner with a really good sauce will always have my attention, and the Carolina Gold BBQ sauce is 100% the star here. It’s tangy from the mustard, a little sweet from the honey and brown sugar, smoky, and has just enough cayenne to give it a tiny kick. Basically, I want to put it on everything. The crispy chicken sausage and colorful veggies keep the rest super simple, and I love that everything cooks in the same skillet. It’s easy, veggie-packed, and exactly the kind of dinner I want when I need something quick but still want it to be exciting.

Enjoying The Leftovers

This one was basically made for an easy lunch the next day. I like to keep a little extra Carolina Gold BBQ sauce on the side, then drizzle it over everything after reheating. You can eat the leftovers as-is, spoon them over rice, or even tuck everything into a wrap for something a little different.

Storing

Let everything cool completely, then transfer the chicken sausage and vegetables to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep any extra Carolina Gold BBQ sauce in a separate airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Reheating

For the best texture, reheat the sausage and vegetables in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. This helps the sausage crisp back up and keeps the vegetables from getting too soft. For a quicker option, microwave in 30-second intervals until hot. Add the Carolina Gold BBQ sauce after reheating.

A few tips before you start

Get some color on the sausage

  • Let the chicken sausage sit against the hot skillet for a bit before stirring. Those browned, crispy edges add so much flavor and texture

Cut the vegetables around the same size

  •  Keeping your zucchini, peppers, and onion fairly uniform helps everything cook at the same rate. Aim for bite-sized pieces that aren’t too small so they don’t turn mushy

Adjust the sauce to your taste

  •   Carolina Gold BBQ sauce is all about that tangy mustard flavor, but you can easily make it your own. Add another drizzle of honey if you like it sweeter or a little extra cayenne if you want more heat
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Summer Sausage Skillet

The homemade Carolina Gold BBQ sauce is reason enough to make this one. It's tangy, smoky, sweet, and so good drizzled over crispy chicken sausage and sautéed summer vegetables. Plus, everything comes together quickly in one skillet, making it a great option for those nights when you want plenty of veggies and protein without making dinner complicated.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
US M
Servings 5

Ingredients

  • 24 ounces chicken sausage links, sliced
  • 2 zucchinis, cubed
  • 1 red bell pepper, cubed
  • 1 green bell pepper, cubed
  • 1 small red onion, cubed
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 3 corn riblets or 1/2 cup of canned corn
For the Carolina Gold BBQ sauce
  • 1/2 cup yellow mustard
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tsp chicken bouillon
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 small clove garlic, grated
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper, adjust to taste
US – M

Instructions

  • In a small pot, add all of the BBQ sauce ingredients and stir until well combined. Bring to a gentle simmer over low heat and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is warmed through and the flavors come together. The sauce will already be fairly thick, so it does not need to reduce much. Remove from the heat and set aside.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and crispy around the edges. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
  • In the same skillet, add the chopped vegetables. Cook for 7–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and tender-crisp. You want the vegetables to soften while still keeping a little bite.
  • Add the chicken sausage back to the skillet and toss everything together. Top with freshly cracked black pepper and drizzle with the Carolina Gold BBQ sauce before serving.

Equipment

saute pan
cutting board
measuring cups

Nutrition Per Serving

Calories: 372kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 21g | Fiber: 3g