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These chicken sausage patties are a perfectly seasoned, lean, and versatile protein source you can serve for breakfast, dinner, and meal prep. They’re easy to assemble and can be cooked in a skillet, oven, or air fryer!
We love using ground chicken to reduce the fat while still getting a good amount of protein in dishes like burgers, meatballs, and keto pizza crusts. This healthy chicken sausage recipe is no exception!
This well-balanced recipe combines ground chicken, aromatic herbs, and savory spices to create juicy and flavorful sausage patties. They’re perfect for breakfast and dinner, as well as a quick and easy meal prep option. Enjoy them throughout the week or freeze them for later!
Why this recipe works
As we’ve already discovered from this turkey sausage recipe, homemade sausage patties are so much more flavorful and fresh than store-bought! Plus, they’re easy to make with budget-friendly and accessible ingredients.
- Best bang for your buck! Making sausages from scratch is much more cost-effective than buying the pre-packaged kind.
- Good-for-you ingredients. Making your own sausages also means you’re in control of the meat quality and fat content. Plus, it’s the only way to avoid the additives and preservatives in most commercial sausages.
- Meal prep and freezer-friendly. You’ll love the convenience of having fresh chicken sausages in the fridge or freezer whenever a craving hits.
We love using these chicken sausage patties in breakfast sandwiches and low-carb, high-protein breakfast plates paired with sous-vide egg bites, over-easy, over-medium, or over-hard eggs.
Ingredients needed
In addition to ground chicken, this recipe calls for mostly pantry staples. Here is everything you will need:
- Dried sage. This popular chicken seasoning gives breakfast sausage its distinct flavor.
- Italian seasoning. Another way to add an herbaceous, peppery flavor to the chicken.
- Salt and black pepper. To taste.
- Garlic. Freshly minced is best, but ½ teaspoon of garlic powder will work in a pinch.
- Ground chicken. For juicy, flavorful patties with a good balance of lean meat and fat, use ground chicken thighs or a mixture of ground chicken breast and thighs.
- Honey. It adds a hint of sweetness that enhances the other flavors.
How to make chicken sausage from ground chicken
If you’re ready to savor the irresistible flavors of homemade chicken sausage, follow these simple instructions for preparation and stovetop cooking:
Step 1 – Make the chicken sausage mixture
In a large mixing bowl, add the ingredients and mix until combined.
Step 2 – Form the sausage patties
Form small scoops of the ground chicken mixture at a time into patties (you should end up with 8 patties total).
Step 3 – Pan-fry
Heat some oil or butter in a large cast-iron skillet. Once it’s warm, add the patties and fry until they’re no longer pink in the middle (work in batches if your skillet isn’t big enough).
Transfer the patties to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, then enjoy!
Oven-baked chicken sausage
- Place the patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake in a 375°F/190°C oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F/74°C.
Air fryer chicken sausage
- Lay the patties in a single layer in an air fryer basket (work in batches).
- Cook at 375°F/190°C for 12 to 15 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F/74°C, flipping them halfway through.
- Repeat until all of the patties are cooked.
Tips to make the best recipe
- Test the seasonings. Before shaping the patties, cook a small portion of the mixture to taste, then adjust the herbs and spices as needed.
- Don’t overmix the meat. You want the ingredients evenly distributed, but the sausages may be chewy and dry if you overwork the meat mixture.
- Don’t skip the resting time! Letting the patties rest in the fridge for at least 1 hour helps the flavors marry together and the patties hold their shape better as they cook. For the best results, let them chill overnight.
- Cook in batches. The best way to make sausage patties with crispy edges and tender, juicy centers is to pan-fry them in a single layer with space in between each one. Cook them in batches if your skillet isn’t big enough.
Flavor variations
Adding a variety of herbs, spices, and aromatics will enhance the taste of your sausage patties, so don’t be afraid to experiment. Here are some delicious ideas:
- Cajun. Add 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning and extra cayenne for a stronger kick.
- Italian. Add 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning and fennel seeds to enhance the depth of flavor.
- Apple gouda. Add finely grated apple to the chicken mixture, as well as a pinch of nutmeg for warmth. To finish, fold in a 1/2 cup of shredded gouda cheese (for apple chicken sausage flavor!).
- Smoky chipotle. Add smoked paprika, chipotle chili powder, or minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for smokiness and heat.
What to serve with this dish
Make the chicken sausages the star of breakfast! Serve them with all of the classics, like scrambled eggs, pancakes, hash browns, and fresh fruit. Or you can skip shaping the patties and cook the ground chicken mixture for breakfast casseroles, omelets, frittatas, or a crustless quiche.
For dinner, use the seasoned ground chicken sausage mixture in spaghetti, stuffed zucchini boats, stuffed peppers, and meatloaf. You can also treat the patties as a main protein for dinner with simple sides, like mashed potatoes, asparagus, and carrots.
Storage instructions
To store: Once cooled, transfer the leftover sausage patties to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 5 days.
To freeze: The sausages also freeze well for up to 2 months. Remember to let them thaw in the fridge before reheating.
To reheat: Quickly zap the patties in the microwave or reheat them in a skillet on the stove until warmed through.
Recommended tools to make this recipe
- Mixing bowls. You need two medium-sized bowls to mix the spice blend and ground chicken and spices together.
- Cast-iron or non-stick skillet. To fry the patties.
- Spatula. To flip the chicken patties as they fry.
More homemade sausage and meat patties
Frequently asked questions
Yes! Chicken sausage is a good source of lean protein (17 grams per 100 grams of chicken). And compared to sausages made from pork or beef, chicken sausage is generally lower in fat and calories.
Yes, but only if the ground chicken was not previously frozen. Once the patties are formed, wrap them individually in plastic wrap or wax paper. Freeze them in a freezer-safe container for 2 to 3 months. When you’re ready to cook, thaw the patties in the refrigerator overnight.
Chicken Sausage
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sage ground
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix until combined.
- Using your hands, shape them into eight patties and place them on a lined tray.
- Cover the patties and refrigerate for at least 10 minutes for the flavors to meld.
- Add oil to a non-stick skillet. Once hot, add four patties and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, flipping once.
- Repeat the process until all the sausage is cooked up.
These sausage patties are amazing! I did leave the garlic out, for mine. This will be a staple in my house from now on. I will make them with garlic for my husband to make sausage egg and cheese muffins. A lot healthier than fast food I’m sure. Thank you Arman!