Creamy Chicken with Smoked Sausage & Mashed Potatoes
This is the kind of dinner that feels like turning the volume down on the day. Warm, hearty, and a little bit indulgent — creamy chicken and smoked sausage spooned over fluffy mashed potatoes is pure comfort food in a bowl. It’s cozy in the way only a simmering skillet can be cozy: the gentle bubbling sound, the buttery garlic smell, and that moment when you realize the sauce is thick enough to cling to everything.
The smoked sausage brings a salty, smoky bite that plays so nicely with the creamy sauce, and the mashed potatoes catch every drop like they were made for it (because… they were). This one is perfect for chilly nights, family dinners, or whenever you want a meal that feels like a reward.
Ingredients
For the Chicken & Sauce:
4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
8 ounces smoked sausage or chorizo, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
½ teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
For the Mashed Potatoes:
2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ cup warm milk or cream
Salt, to taste
Instructions
Make the mashed potatoes.
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the potatoes and cook for 15–18 minutes, until fork-tender. Drain well. Mash with butter and warm milk or cream. Season with salt and keep warm (a lid on the pot works great).Season the chicken.
Pat the chicken dry. Season both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.Sear the chicken.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear for 4–5 minutes per side until golden. Transfer to a plate.Brown the sausage.
In the same skillet, add the sliced sausage. Cook for 2–3 minutes until lightly browned and a little crisp around the edges. Remove and set aside with the chicken.Start the sauce.
Lower the heat to medium. Add the butter and minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.Make it creamy.
Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up all those browned bits from the bottom of the pan (that’s flavor). Stir in the heavy cream, Dijon mustard (if using), and thyme. Let it simmer for 3–4 minutes until it thickens slightly.Bring it all together.
Return the chicken and sausage to the skillet. Spoon sauce over the top. Cover and simmer on low for 10–12 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.Serve.
Scoop mashed potatoes onto plates. Top with chicken and sausage. Spoon that creamy sauce over everything, then finish with fresh parsley.
Presentation
A few simple touches make this look extra inviting:
Use a big spoon to create a little “nest” of mashed potatoes, then place the chicken on top.
Add the sausage slices right over the chicken so they’re front and center.
Spoon sauce around the plate and over the top — glossy sauce is the whole point.
Sprinkle parsley at the end for color (and a little freshness).
If you want a little extra flair, a light dusting of paprika on top looks beautiful.
Nutritional Information:
⏰ Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 55 minutes
🔥 Kcal: ~620 kcal per serving | 🍽️ Servings: 4 servings
Conclusion
This recipe is a keeper for nights when you want comfort that actually feels satisfying — creamy sauce, smoky sausage, tender chicken, and mashed potatoes that soak it all up like a dream. It’s easy enough for a weeknight, but cozy enough to serve when you want to take care of people (including yourself).
If you’re craving something warm and hearty soon, put this on the menu. You’ll be thinking about that sauce long after the plates are clean.