Chicken Apple Sausage

Homemade chicken apple sausage is made with ground chicken, apple, and savory spices—juicy, flavorful, and great for breakfast or dinner.

This sausage comes in handy in so many situations. You can shape it into patties for breakfast, cook it up to serve with eggs, or add it to your lunch or dinner recipes. Finally, enjoy a good sausage without the fillers you’ll find in store-bought versions.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• High in protein: Ground chicken makes these sausages lean but still satisfying.
• Versatile meal option: Perfect as breakfast patties, a side with eggs, or as protein for other dishes.
• Simple and wholesome: There are absolutely no fillers or preservatives like you’d find in store-bought sausage.

Ingredients and substitutions

• Ground chicken – use ground turkey or pork if you prefer a different protein.
• Apple – grated apple adds sweetness, but pear will also work nicely.
• Fennel seeds – caraway seeds or anise seeds can be used for a similar flavour.
• Paprika – smoked paprika or chili powder adds a different depth of flavour.
• Onion powder – substitute with finely minced onion if needed.
• Rosemary – fresh or dried both work; sage can be swapped in for a more classic sausage taste.
• Thyme – oregano or marjoram are good alternatives.
• Garlic powder – replace with fresh minced garlic if you like a stronger flavour.
• Cinnamon – nutmeg or allspice will give a slightly different but still warm flavour.
• Olive oil – any neutral cooking oil, like avocado or canola oil, will work for frying.

How to make this chicken apple sausage

Step 1: Add the ingredients.

Combine chicken, grated apple and spices in a large bowl.

Step 2: Mix well.

Blend all ingredients together.

Step 3: Shape the mixture.

Form into patties and place on a parchment-lined sheet.

Step 4: Pan-fry the sausage.

Cook patties 4–5 minutes per side, working in batches so they brown well.

Step 5: Let them rest.

Set them aside for assembly.

Step 6: Assembly and enjoy!

Serve in breakfast sandwiches or with a meal of your choice!

Frequently asked questions

Can I turn these patties into sausage links at home?

Yes. You’ll need sausage casings (pork or collagen) and a stuffer or funnel. Make sure to freeze the mixture briefly to make stuffing easier.

How do I know the sausage is seasoned enough?

You can always fry up a small piece of the raw mixture and taste it. Then, just adjust salt and spices before shaping all the rest of the patties.

What’s the best apple-to-meat ratio?

This recipe uses ½ an apple per pound of chicken for a nice but subtle sweetness. If you prefer extra sweetness, you can increase to ¾ apple, but I wouldn’t recommend more than that – the patties may get too soft.

What to serve with this dish

To make a fully balanced meal, pair this sausage with a few simple sides:

• Pesto Bagel Breakfast Sandwiches, Sausage Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
• Salads like Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad, The BEST Arugula Salad, or The Best Kale Salad on the Internet

How to store and reheat

Make ahead: Form patties and refrigerate uncooked for up to 24 hours before cooking.

Store: Keep cooked sausage in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat for 2–3 minutes or microwave for 45–60 seconds.

Freeze and reheat from frozen: Freeze cooked patties for up to 3 months. Reheat straight from frozen in a skillet or microwave, or thaw overnight in the fridge for faster reheating.