Quinoa with Chicken Sausage and Kale

A one-pot wonder that uses colorful veggies, sweet potatoes and chicken sausage to create an awesome comes-together-quickly dinner option.

Notes: Be sure to get prerinsed quinoa. If it isn't, rinse the grain with cool water using a fine-mesh strainer and let drain completely before adding to the dish.

Quinoa with Chicken Sausage and Kale

Yield: 4 -6 servings

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

12 ounces pre-cooked chicken sausage, cut into 1/4-inch slices (can sub for plant-based sausage) - Use your favorite flavor

1 tsp chicken boullion

1 small onion, chopped

3 sweet bell peppers, of different colors

1 large or 2 small sweet potatoes, peeled, diced into 1/2-inch cubes (about 2 cups)

1 garlic clove, minced

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

1 1/4 cup dry quinoa (make sure it is prerinsed; if not, rinse it yourself in a fine mesh strainer, and let drain well)

up to 4 cups water

5 packed cups shredded curly kale

Directions

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat in a large, lidded deep skillet or dutch oven. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook to brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside in a bowl.

Add the remaining oil to the skillet and add the onion and peppers and chicken boullion, and stir to coat. Saute until shiny. Add diced sweet potato and garlic, cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are slightly crisp on the outsides, about 10 minutes.

Remove the lid and stir in the paprika, thyme, salt, and ground black pepper. Mix the dry quinoa into the sweet potato and spice mixture, then cover everything in 3 cups of the broth. Cover and simmer until the quinoa is cooked and has absorbed most of the liquid, stirring halfway through to prevent sticking, 18 to 22 minutes. If the liquid is absorbed but quinoa needs more cook time, add up to 1 cup additional broth as needed.

Reduce heat to low and stir in the kale, and chicken sausage. Continue cooking and stirring until the kale has wilted down. Remove from the heat and serve. Enjoy!