Chicken sausages make a quick, easy and tasty meal. They are versatile and can be prepared in many different ways. One of the simplest methods is to cook chicken sausages in a pan on the stovetop. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook chicken sausages in a pan perfectly.
Ingredients
- Chicken sausages – can use fresh or pre-cooked
- Oil for cooking
- Spices and herbs (optional)
Equipment
- Frying pan or skillet
- Tongs
- Spatula
Steps
1. Prepare the sausages
If using fresh uncooked chicken sausages pierce them a few times with a fork to prevent bursting. This allows steam to escape while cooking.
If using pre-cooked sausages, simply take them out of the packaging.
2. Heat oil in the pan
Place the frying pan or skillet on the stove over medium-high heat Add just enough oil to lightly coat the bottom of the pan Vegetable, canola or olive oil all work well.
3. Cook the sausages
Once the oil is hot, add the pierced sausages to the pan. Use tongs to handle the raw sausages.
Cook for 5-7 minutes, turning frequently, until browned on all sides. The sausages will sizzle and cook through.
If using pre-cooked sausages, cook for 3-5 minutes just to heat them up.
4. Add spices (optional)
If desired, add spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika or Italian seasoning in the last 2 minutes of cooking. This adds extra flavor.
5. Check for doneness
Pierce a sausage with a knife to check if the inside is cooked through. The juices should run clear with no traces of pink.
Pre-cooked sausages just need to be heated through.
6. Remove from pan and serve
Use tongs to transfer the cooked chicken sausages to a plate. Serve immediately while hot.
Enjoy the sausages on their own, with veggies, over pasta, in buns, or however you like!
Tips
- Use a non-stick pan for easy cooking and cleaning.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan so the sausages brown properly. Work in batches if needed.
- Add a small amount of liquid like oil, broth or water to help steam and cook sausages through.
- If the pan gets dry, add another splash of oil while cooking.
- Cook over lower heat for tender, juicy sausages. High heat can cause burning.
- Pre-cooked sausages just need to be warmed, not fully cooked through.
Common Questions
What’s the best oil to use?
Any high heat oil like vegetable, canola or olive oil works well. Avoid butter or low-smoke oils that can burn.
Should I prick fresh sausages?
Yes, piercing fresh sausages with a fork prevents them from bursting open while cooking. It allows steam to escape.
How long does it take to cook chicken sausages?
Fresh raw sausages take 5-7 minutes to fully cook through. Pre-cooked just need 3-5 minutes to heat.
Can I cook the sausages in advance?
Yes, you can cook chicken sausages ahead of time and reheat later. Store cooked sausages covered in the fridge for 2-3 days.
What’s the best way to reheat cooked sausages?
You can reheat cooked chicken sausages in the microwave, skillet, oven or air fryer. Heat through until hot, about 1-3 minutes.
Chicken sausages cooked in a pan are a fast and easy dinner option the whole family will love. Follow this simple method for tender, flavorful sausages every time. Adjust cook times as needed based on the thickness of your sausages. Play around with different seasoning combinations to keep things interesting. Enjoy!
Why Use Chicken Sausage?
For one thing, it is really delicious meal. Chicken sausage can come in such a huge variety of flavors that it is easy to find a flavor that will suit your cravings and meal ideas. If you want an Italian meal, go for the Italian sausage flavor. I have seen a spicy flavored Italian sausage, but also sweet Italian chicken sausages. Both are really good. My family really loves the spicy versions, and a pineapple habanero is our favorite. There is also a sweet apple and jalapeno we love as well. Check around in your local grocery stores, I know you will find a flavor you like.
If you are making this for a meal, it is a really simple and quick meal. All the methods I am going to show you will have the chicken cooked within 30 minutes or less. This makes them perfect for a busy weeknight meal.
They make such a satisfying meal. It is filling, delicious, and simple to make.
2 Types Of Sausage
I am going to show you how to cook with 2 types of chicken sausage, raw and cooked (smoked). I like to use both, but let me explain the difference.
Raw chicken sausage is just what it sounds like-raw. I buy these from a local butcher shop, but you can also find them in some grocery stores. I try and look for sausage that has natural flavors and natural casing. This is considered a fresh sausage.
This is not hard to find, just make friends with a butcher and company you like. The advantage of using raw sausage is they are moister. If you are cooking an already-cooked product, it is easier to dry them out if you arent watching.
The other sausage is a cooked sausage. Generally, this is smoked sausage. They will always be marked as “fully cooked”. They have great flavor and are so easy to use.
One thing to love about fully cooked sausage is that for a meal all you need to do is reheat. There is not any actual cooking. This makes them perfect for a busy night when you need dinner fast.
Both types of sausage are made with a blend of white and dark meat of the chicken (chicken thighs). They also use different spices for flavoring and chicken broth. You can make them yourself as well, but we wont discuss that in this post.