What is Chicken Apple Sausage? A Delicious Blend of Sweet and Savory

Chicken apple sausage is a tasty variety of sausage that combines the savory flavor of chicken with the sweetness of apples. This unique blend results in a light, juicy sausage with notes of apple and warm spices. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this sausage so delicious.

Ingredients in Chicken Apple Sausage

The main ingredients in chicken apple sausage are ground chicken diced apples apple juice, and an array of spices. Here is a typical ingredient list

• Ground chicken – provides the bulk of the meat and savory chicken flavor
• Diced apples – add fruity sweetness and moisture
• Apple juice – enhances the apple flavor
• Spices like sage, rosemary, black pepper, and ginger – impart warmth and depth of flavor
• Soy protein or lecithin – helps bind and emulsify the sausage
• Salt – seasons the sausage
• Natural pork casing – gives the sausage its signature “snap” when bitten into

The combination of juicy chicken and tart apple makes for a well-balanced sausage that is not too savory or too sweet. The apples provide a subtle fruity flavor as well as valuable moisture to keep the sausage succulent. The spices round out the flavor profile.

The Benefits of Chicken Apple Sausage

There are several benefits that make chicken apple sausage a great choice:

• Lower fat than traditional pork sausages – With mostly lean chicken as the first ingredient, this sausage has less fat than sausage made from fatty pork.

• Flavor versatility – The blend of sweet and savory flavors means chicken apple sausage pairs well with both savory and sweet dishes.

• Convenient smaller size – Chicken apple sausages often come in 2-3 oz portions, making them easy to cook and serve.

• Quick cooking – The petite size means they cook faster than large pork sausages.

• Moist and tender – The addition of apple juice and diced apple helps keep these sausages moist and tender

• Natural ingredients – Most chicken apple sausages rely on natural spices rather than artificial flavors or MSG.

For those looking for a flavorful sausage option that is lower in fat and calories than pork sausage, chicken apple sausage is an excellent choice. The smaller links cook quickly and lend themselves well to breakfast, lunch, dinner or appetizer preparations.

How Chicken Apple Sausages Are Made

To make chicken apple sausage, the ground chicken and diced apples are mixed together in a large batch. Apple juice and spices are added to infuse flavor throughout. The sausage mixture is stuffed into natural pork casings to form the links.

Here are some key steps in the chicken apple sausage making process:

• Grinding the chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts are fed through a grinder to achieve a coarse texture. This adds some fat from the dark chicken meat for flavor.

• Mixing – The ground chicken is thoroughly mixed with the diced apples, apple juice, spices and curing salts in a large rotating mixer. Mixing evenly distributes ingredients.

• Stuffing – The seasoned sausage mixture is fed into a stuffer machine and dispensed into natural pork casings to form links.

• Linking – The long stuffed casings are twisted into individual links, usually 2-3 ounces each.

• Cooking – The raw sausages are briefly cooked in water or steam to firm them up.

• Chilling – Finally, the links are chilled in a cold water bath then refrigerated or frozen.

The process blends the ingredients into a emulsified sausage mixture that is then encased into servingsize links. Small batch artisanal sausage makers often produce no more than 50 pounds of sausage at a time through this careful process.

How to Cook Chicken Apple Sausages

One of the conveniences of chicken apple sausages is that they can be cooked quickly and easily. Here are some recommended cooking methods:

• Pan-frying – Cook sausages in a skillet over medium heat, turning frequently, until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.

• Grilling – Grill over medium heat for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.

• Baking – Arrange sausages on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway.

• Sautéing – Chop sausages and sauté in olive oil over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through.

• Poaching – Simmer sausages in broth, wine or other poaching liquid for about 10 minutes until cooked through.

For best results, internal temperature should reach 165°F. Be careful not to overcook or the sausage may become dry.

Serving Ideas for Chicken Apple Sausage

The balanced sweet-savory flavor of chicken apple sausage makes it incredibly versatile. Here are some serving suggestions:

• Breakfast – Serve with eggs, pancakes, waffles, biscuits or roasted potatoes.

• Appetizers – Slice and serve on toothpicks or as part of a sausage and cheese board.

• Salads – Slice and add to any green, grain or pasta salad for protein.

• Soups & stews – Cut up and add to dishes like chicken noodle soup, minestrone or chili.

• Sandwiches – Place on rolls or baguettes for a tasty lunch or dinner.

• Sides – Serve alongside roasted veggies, mashed potatoes or apple stuffing.

• Pizza – Scatter pieces over pizza or flatbreads before baking.

• Pasta – Toss with penne, bowties or spirals for a quick sausage pasta dish.

• Kabobs – Skewer chunks for grilled kabobs with vegetables.

With its versatility, convenient size and quick cooking time, chicken apple sausage can upgrade everything from weekday meals to gourmet menus. Keep a pack in the freezer to pull out whenever you need an easy protein boost.

Buying and Storing Chicken Apple Sausage

When purchasing chicken apple sausage, look for:

• Reputable brand – Choose a trusted sausage company known for quality.

• Ingredients – Look for all-natural ingredients and minimal or no preservatives.

• Pack date – For freshest taste and texture, look for a recent pack date.

• Frozen vs. refrigerated – Both are common. Refrigerated will have shorter shelf life.

Once purchased, proper storage is important:

• Frozen – If frozen, store sausages in original packaging at 0°F or below.

• Refrigerated – If fresh, use within 5-7 days or freeze for longer storage.

• Thaw – For best texture, thaw frozen sausages overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.

• Cook – Cook sausages within 1-2 days of thawing or removing from original refrigerated packaging.

Following safe handling and storage guidelines will help chicken apple sausage retain optimum freshness, texture and flavor.

The Sweet, Savory Appeal of Chicken Apple Sausage

From its carefully crafted blend of ingredients to its convenient size and quick cooking time, chicken apple sausage has clear advantages over other breakfast sausage options. The tasty mix of juicy chicken and sweet apples satisfies cravings for something both hearty and a little indulgent. Keep your freezer stocked with this versatile sausage to instantly elevate everything from simple weeknight dinners to weekend brunches. Just one bite of the sweet-spiced flavor will have you hooked!