Apple Chicken Sausage – The Almond Eater

November 7, 2024

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These easy Apple Chicken Sausage Patties combine ground chicken with diced apples and warm seasonings for a fall-flavored protein that’s perfect for breakfast, in sandwiches, meal prep, and more!

apple chicken sausage on a serving platter

This Apple Chicken Sausage recipe ditches the sausage links for a from-scratch mix of ground chicken, diced apples, and poultry seasonings. Formed into patties and pan-fried until golden, they’re a fun and fall-flavored play on homemade chicken sausages! Bonus: they’re also easy to make, naturally gluten-free, and incredibly versatile.

If you don’t think apples and chicken go together, think again. The aromatic poultry seasonings in the chicken sausages are warm and comforting—AKA everything we want in a fall dish. Sweet and tart diced apples are simply a fun surprise in the sausages; they bring the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors to every bite.

I love serving a freshly fried batch of homemade chicken sausage patties for a healthy breakfast or light dinner. Save the leftovers for meal prep—they make for a fantastic protein-packed lunch!

Recipe features

Tart apples are combined with savory and well-seasoned ground chicken to give each patty mouthwatering flavors.
They’re naturally gluten-free and packed with about 10 grams of protein.
An incredible versatile protein to enjoy for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, or meal prep!

Ingredients

Ground chicken – Look for ground chicken breast for leaner sausages, or use a mix of ground breast and thigh meat for juicier sausages. Ground turkey is also a good substitute here.

Apple – Chopped apples give the chicken sausage patties subtle bursts of sweetness and extra fiber. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Fuji apples are all good choices because they’re firm, have a sweet-tart flavor that compliments the chicken, and hold up well during cooking.

Maple syrup – Just a drizzle balances the savory flavors and helps caramelize the outside of the sausages. Honey or agave nectar will also work, but the flavor will be slightly different.

Seasonings – I used a savory blend of salt, onion powder, sage, thyme, and black pepper to complement the apples and chicken.

Olive oil – To cook the patties and help them develop a crispy, golden-brown exterior. You can use avocado, coconut, or any other high-heat cooking oil if you don’t have olive oil.

Instructions

Step 1: Combine. In a large mixing bowl, use your hands to gently mix all of the ingredients (except the oil) together until well combined.

2 images: the left image shows all ingredients added to a glass bowl ad the right image shows the ingredients mixed together with a spoon

Step 2: Form the patties. Shape the chicken sausage mixture into 10 evenly-sized patties.

Step 3: Pan-fry. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the patties and fry for a few minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through.

Step 4: Serve and enjoy. Remove the patties from the skillet and serve them hot. Enjoy!

overview of apple chicken sausage on a serving platter

Tips and FAQs

Dice the apples into tiny, pea-sized pieces. If they’re too big, they won’t cook properly and will be really crunchy in the patties.
Gently mix the ingredients with your hands, just like if you were making chicken meatballs or chicken burgers. Overmixing the ground chicken mixture can lead to tough, chewy sausage patties.

Tip

To peel or not to peel? It’s entirely up to you! Peeling the apples results in smoother bites, whereas leaving the peel on adds a bit of texture and more fiber. If you decide to keep the peel, make sure to wash the apples thoroughly before dicing.

Variations

One of the best things about these homemade chicken and apple sausage patties is the handful of ways you can make them your own:

Experiment with the herbs and seasonings – Add rosemary or basil, garlic powder or finely minced garlic cloves, smoked paprika, or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the mix.
Instead of apples – Apples and chicken sausages go hand in hand, but you can substitute diced pears, peaches, dried cranberries, or raisins if you’d like.
Add shredded cheese – For rich and gooey cheese strings, add some grated cheddar, mozzarella, or feta cheese to the sausage mix.

Serving suggestions

I like to serve these apple chicken sausages as part of a classic breakfast platter with scrambled eggs, potatoes, toast, and fresh fruit. They’re also great on an English muffin breakfast sandwich!

The sausage patties make for a light yet filling lunch or dinner, too. Pair them with a few fall-flavored side dishes to complete the meal, like carrot apple ginger soup and a pear salad. One or two patties would be a perfect protein-rich topping for this autumn harvest bowl as well!

How much protein is in one apple chicken sausage patty?

One 4-ounce apple chicken sausage patty contains approximately 10 grams of protein.

How do I prevent my homemade sausage patties from falling apart?

These two steps will prevent your patties from crumbling: (1) Mix the ingredients thoroughly without overmixing, and (2) refrigerate the patties for at least 30 minutes before cooking.

Can I bake the sausages instead of pan-frying?

Yes! To bake the chicken sausages, place the patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the patties are golden brown and cooked through.

How can you tell when chicken apple sausages are cooked?

A meat thermometer is the most accurate way to check for doneness when cooking proteins. Insert the thermometer into the center of the patty and when it reads 165°F (74°C), you’ll know they’re cooked through. Another good way to tell is when the patties are golden brown on the outside and no longer pink in the center.

Can I make these sausage patties ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the sausage mixture and form the patties up to 24 hours before cooking. Just keep them covered in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.

Storage

Refrigerator: Store any leftover chicken apple sausage patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezer: Lay the patties flat on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen patties to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating: To reheat, warm the chicken patties in a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat or microwave them in 30-second intervals until they’re warmed through.

side view of a stack of apple chicken sausage on a serving platter

More chicken sausage recipes

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