Name: Delicious Chicken Sausage Recipe : 5 Amazing Steps:
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 lb Chicken Sausage; 1 tbsp Olive Oil; 1 Onion, sliced; 1 Bell Pepper, sliced; 1 tsp Italian Seasoning

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I remember the first time I made a delicious chicken sausage recipe. It was a complete disaster! I was trying to impress my in-laws, and I thought, “Oh, I’ll make homemade sausage!” I envisioned this beautifully browned, perfectly seasoned sausage gracing the dinner table. What I ended up with was…well, let’s just say it resembled something closer to grey, crumbly chicken-flavored Play-Doh. It was a humbling experience, to say the least. My mother-in-law, bless her heart, politely choked it down. But it fueled my fire to create a truly delicious chicken sausage recipe.

Since that fateful day, I’ve experimented with countless variations, tweaks, and techniques. There were more failures, of course – some too salty, some too bland, some with a texture that was just plain wrong. But through all the trials and tribulations, I finally landed on a delicious chicken sausage recipe that my family begs me to make. Seriously, my kids cheer when they hear “sausage” is on the menu!

This isn’t just any sausage, though. It’s a flavorful, juicy, and surprisingly easy delicious chicken sausage recipe that you can whip up even on a busy weeknight. It’s also a healthier alternative to traditional pork sausage, which is a big win in my book. I’m always looking for ways to sneak in some extra protein and keep things relatively light. This delicious chicken sausage recipe is the perfect solution.

It fits perfectly into my chaotic family life because it’s so versatile. We use it in pasta dishes, on pizzas, in breakfast scrambles, and even just grilled on a bun with some mustard. Plus, you can easily customize the flavors to suit your own taste. Feeling adventurous? Throw in some spicy peppers for a spicy chicken sausage recipe! Craving something more Italian? Load it up with fennel seeds and oregano for an Italian chicken sausage recipe.

Trust me, once you try this delicious chicken sausage recipe, you’ll never buy store-bought sausage again! It’s that good, and you’ll have full control of the ingredients.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious chicken sausage recipe magic happen.

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2 lbs ground chicken (I always use chicken thighs for my delicious chicken sausage recipe – they have more fat and flavor than breast meat, resulting in a juicier sausage.)
1 large onion, finely chopped (About 1 cup)
4 cloves garlic, minced (Fresh garlic is essential for that delicious chicken sausage recipe aroma!)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (Italian parsley is my preference)
2 tablespoons olive oil (For sautéing the onion and garlic)
2 teaspoons fennel seeds, crushed (This adds that signature Italian sausage flavor)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (Optional, for a spicy chicken sausage recipe kick)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon salt (I use kosher salt)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (Optional, but adds a nice savory depth)
Natural hog casings (optional, for sausage links) (if you want to make links, you can usually find these at your local butcher shop)
2 tablespoons of Maple Syrup
1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar

When making this delicious chicken sausage recipe, you can usually find ground chicken at most grocery stores. If not, you can always ask your butcher to grind some chicken thighs for you. A delicious chicken sausage recipe trick I learned from my mom is to freeze the ground chicken for about 15 minutes before mixing it. This helps keep the fat cold and prevents the sausage from becoming greasy.

Cost-saving tip: Buy chicken thighs in bulk and grind them yourself using a food processor! It’s much cheaper than buying pre-ground chicken.

Storage tip: Leftover sausage (cooked or uncooked) can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Be sure to wrap it tightly to prevent freezer burn.

If you want a healthy chicken sausage recipe, feel free to skip the Maple Syrup and Apple Cider Vinegar, but it won’t taste as good.

How to Make – Step-by-Step

Alright, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of how to make this delicious chicken sausage recipe. Don’t worry; it’s much easier than my first attempt!

Sauté the Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, or it will become bitter!
Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, sautéed onion and garlic mixture, parsley, fennel seeds, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), smoked paprika, salt, pepper, Parmesan cheese (if using) maple syrup and apple cider vinegar.
Mix Thoroughly: Use your hands (yes, your hands!) to thoroughly mix all the ingredients together. This is the best way to ensure that the spices are evenly distributed throughout the meat. Don’t be afraid to get in there and really massage the mixture.
Test the Seasoning: This is crucial! Take a small spoonful of the sausage mixture and cook it in a skillet over medium heat until browned. Taste it and adjust the seasonings as needed. Does it need more salt? More pepper? More red pepper flakes for that spicy chicken sausage recipe kick? Now’s the time to make those adjustments.
Stuff the Casings (Optional): If you’re using casings, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for stuffing them. This usually involves using a sausage stuffer attachment on your stand mixer or a dedicated sausage stuffer. Don’t overstuff the casings, or they’ll burst when you cook them.
Cook the Sausage: There are several ways to cook this delicious chicken sausage recipe.
- Pan-frying: Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 15-20 minutes.
- Grilling: Grill the sausage over medium heat, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 15-20 minutes.
- Baking: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the sausage on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through.

Woman Preparing Chicken Sausage in Kitchen

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I learned the hard way that overcooking chicken sausage recipe makes it dry and crumbly. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). In my kitchen, this delicious chicken sausage recipe usually takes about 20 minutes to cook through, but cooking times may vary depending on your stove and the thickness of the sausage.

While the delicious chicken sausage recipe is cooking, I usually prep the side dishes or start cleaning up the kitchen. Multi-tasking is key when you’re a busy mom! Your delicious chicken sausage recipe should smell like a blend of savory spices, garlic, and caramelized onions. It’s a truly mouthwatering aroma!

If you want an easy chicken sausage recipe, feel free to skip the casing and just make patties. They are still delicious and much faster to prep.

Don’t worry if your sausage looks a little pale at first. It will brown up beautifully as it cooks.

Serving Suggestions

Now for the fun part – serving this delicious chicken sausage recipe! My family enjoys this delicious chicken sausage recipe in so many different ways. The kids love our delicious chicken sausage recipe when I slice it up and add it to their pasta with a simple tomato sauce. They also love it on homemade pizzas with lots of cheese and veggies. My husband is a big fan of grilling it and serving it on a toasted bun with spicy mustard and sauerkraut.

My go-to side dishes that pair with delicious chicken sausage recipe are roasted vegetables (like broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers), a simple green salad with a lemon vinaigrette, or creamy mashed potatoes. The roasted vegetables add a healthy dose of nutrients, the salad provides a refreshing contrast, and the mashed potatoes are just plain comforting.

This delicious chicken sausage recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners, weekend barbecues, or even a casual brunch. It’s a crowd-pleaser that everyone will love.

For presentation, I like to arrange the sausage on a platter with a variety of toppings, such as sliced onions, peppers, pickles, and mustards. This allows everyone to customize their own sausage and create their perfect bite.

If you have extra delicious chicken sausage recipe, you can use it in omelets, frittatas, or breakfast burritos. It’s also great crumbled into soups and stews. I even like to use it as a topping for baked potatoes!

For a seasonal variation, try adding chopped apples and cranberries to the sausage mixture in the fall. This adds a touch of sweetness and tartness that is perfect for the season. You can also use different herbs and spices to create a variety of flavor profiles. Try using sage and thyme for a more savory sausage, or chili powder and cumin for a spicier sausage.

My friends always ask for this delicious chicken sausage recipe recipe whenever they come over for dinner. They love how flavorful and versatile it is, and they’re always impressed that it’s homemade.

Here’s a link to another recipe that goes well with this one: Sausage Maple Waffle Bake

Frequently Asked Questions

I’ve gotten a lot of questions about this delicious chicken sausage recipe over the years, so I thought I’d address some of the most common ones here.

Q: Can I use ground turkey instead of ground chicken?

A: Absolutely! Ground turkey works just as well in this recipe. Just be sure to use ground turkey thighs for the best flavor and texture. Ground turkey breast can be a little dry.

Q: Can I make this delicious chicken sausage recipe ahead of time?

A: Yes, you can! You can prepare the sausage mixture up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just be sure to cook it thoroughly before serving.

Q: How do I prevent the sausage from drying out?

A: The key to preventing dry sausage is to not overcook it. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), and don’t cook it any longer than necessary. Also, using chicken thighs instead of chicken breast will help keep the sausage moist.

Q: Can I freeze this delicious chicken sausage recipe?

A: Yes, you can freeze both the uncooked and cooked sausage. To freeze uncooked sausage, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer bag. To freeze cooked sausage, let it cool completely and then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag. The sausage can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Q: Can I make this a spicy chicken sausage recipe?

A: Absolutely! Just add more red pepper flakes to the sausage mixture. You can also add chopped jalapeños or other spicy peppers for an extra kick.

Q: What if I don’t have fennel seeds?

A: Fennel seeds are a key ingredient in Italian sausage, but if you don’t have them, you can substitute anise seeds or caraway seeds. You can also just leave them out altogether, but the sausage won’t have that classic Italian flavor.

Q: My sausage is too salty. What can I do?

A: You know what I do when my delicious chicken sausage recipe turns out too salty? I add a little bit of sugar or honey to balance out the saltiness. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice or vinegar to brighten up the flavor. Next time, start with less salt and add more to taste.

Final Thoughts and Pro Tips

This delicious chicken sausage recipe holds a special place in my heart because it represents my journey as a home cook. It’s a reminder that even the biggest cooking disasters can lead to delicious creations. It’s also a recipe that my whole family enjoys, and that makes me happy.

Here are some of my pro tips for making this delicious chicken sausage recipe:

Pro Tip 1: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors and spices. That’s how you’ll create your own signature sausage.
Pro Tip 2: Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the sausage is cooked through. This will prevent it from being dry or undercooked.
Pro Tip 3: Let the sausage rest for a few minutes after cooking before slicing or serving it. This will allow the juices to redistribute and make the sausage more flavorful.

Some delicious chicken sausage recipe variations that my family loves are:

Apple and Sage Sausage: Add chopped apples, sage, and thyme to the sausage mixture.
Spicy Chorizo Sausage: Add chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika to the sausage mixture.
Mediterranean Sausage: Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese to the sausage mixture.

My daughter loves the apple and sage sausage, while my son prefers the spicy chorizo sausage. My husband is a fan of all of them!

I encourage you to make this delicious chicken sausage recipe your own. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors and ingredients. The most important thing is to have fun and create something that you and your family will enjoy.

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I hope you have a wonderful delicious chicken sausage recipe cooking experience! I have no doubt that you’ll find it much easier than my first attempt. Happy cooking!

Check out my Crockpot Marry Me Chicken for another family favorite!

For more information on food safety regarding sausage refer to the USDA Guidelines here.

For more nutritional information on Chicken Sausage.