Forget bland, dry store-bought options. This homemade Italian Chicken Sausage Recipe is incredibly juicy, packed with flavor, and surprisingly easy to make right in your own kitchen. You control the ingredients, meaning no strange additives or fillers—just pure, delicious taste. This recipe gives you a healthy, lean protein that’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
We’ve perfected the spice blend to create a sausage that tastes authentically Italian, with the perfect balance of fennel, herbs, and a gentle kick of heat. Whether you form it into patties, crumble it for sauces, or shape it into links, this will become your new go-to recipe.
Why This Italian Chicken Sausage Recipe Works
This isn’t just another ground chicken recipe; it’s a game-changer for your weekly meals. Here’s why you’ll absolutely love it:
- Unbeatable Flavor: The secret is in the spice blend. We use a combination of toasted fennel seeds, smoked paprika, and classic Italian herbs to create a depth of flavor that mass-produced sausages just can’t match.
- Incredibly Versatile: This sausage is a true kitchen workhorse. Use it for a savory breakfast hash, crumble it into a hearty lasagna soup, or make it the star of your next pizza night alongside some tangy peppers in this banana pepper pizza recipe.
- Healthier and Leaner: By using ground chicken, you get all the satisfying taste of traditional sausage but with significantly less fat. Making it at home means you skip the nitrates, preservatives, and excess sodium found in many commercial brands.
- Simple and Quick: With just a few simple steps, you can have fresh, homemade sausage ready in under 30 minutes. It’s a fantastic recipe for meal prep to save time during the week.
The Essential Ingredients
The magic of this recipe lies in its simple, high-quality ingredients. The right combination of spices transforms lean ground chicken into something truly special.
For the Sausage Mixture
- Ground Chicken: Use 1 pound of ground chicken. For the juiciest results, a blend of thigh and breast meat is ideal, but using all-breast meat works well too.
- Olive Oil: Just a teaspoon helps add a little moisture and richness.
- Minced Garlic: Fresh garlic provides the best flavor, but garlic powder can be substituted in a pinch.
The Perfect Italian Spice Blend
- Fennel Seed: The quintessential flavor of Italian sausage. Toasting the seeds beforehand enhances their aroma.
- Smoked Paprika: Adds a beautiful color and a subtle smoky depth.
- Dried Parsley & Italian Seasoning: Provides a classic, herbaceous backbone.
- Red Pepper Flakes: For that gentle, warming heat. Adjust the amount to your preference.
- Onion & Garlic Powder: These add a savory, foundational flavor that complements the fresh garlic.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing all the other flavors.
Step-by-Step Instructions To Make Italian Chicken Sausage
Making your own sausage is a straightforward process. Follow these simple steps for perfect results every time.
Step 1: Combine the Spices
In a small bowl, thoroughly mix together the fennel seeds, smoked paprika, dried parsley, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. This ensures the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the meat.
Step 2: Mix with Ground Chicken
Place the ground chicken in a large mixing bowl. Add the olive oil, minced garlic, and the prepared spice blend. Using your hands or a fork, gently mix all the ingredients until they are just combined. Be careful not to overwork the mixture, as this can make the sausage tough.
Step 3: Chill the Mixture (Optional but Recommended)
Cover the bowl and let the mixture rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight. This step allows the flavors to meld together and deepens the overall taste of the sausage.
Step 4: Form and Cook
Once chilled, you can form the mixture into patties, small links, or leave it loose as crumbles. Cook it using your preferred method below.
How to Cook Your Homemade Chicken Sausage
This sausage can be cooked in a variety of ways, depending on how you plan to use it.
Pan-Frying (For Patties or Crumbles)
Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage patties or crumbles. Cook for 4-6 minutes per side, or until the sausage is browned and cooked through (reaching an internal temperature of 165°F). For crumbles, break the meat apart with a spoon as it cooks.
Baking (For Patties or Links)
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the sausage patties or links on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and fully cooked.
Tips for the Best Chicken Sausage
- Keep Ingredients Cold: For the best texture, ensure your ground chicken and even your mixing bowl are cold. This helps the fat stay emulsified, resulting in a juicier sausage.
- Don’t Overmix: Mix the meat and spices only until they are just combined. Overworking the ground chicken can lead to a dense, rubbery texture.
- Do a Test Patty: Before you cook the whole batch, fry up a small piece of the sausage mixture. This allows you to taste it and adjust the seasonings if needed.
Recipe Variations
One of the best parts about making your own sausage is the ability to customize it. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage
For those who like it hot, increase the red pepper flakes to 1 or 1.5 teaspoons. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for an extra kick.
Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage
To add a touch of sweetness that pairs wonderfully with the fennel, mix in 1 to 2 teaspoons of brown sugar or maple syrup to the spice blend.
Serving Suggestions
This Italian chicken sausage is incredibly versatile. Crumble it and add it to your favorite pasta sauce, use it as a topping for homemade pizza, or serve it alongside eggs for a high-protein breakfast. It’s also fantastic in a savory breakfast casserole.
Storage and Freezing Instructions
Proper storage ensures your homemade sausage stays fresh and delicious.
- Refrigeration: Store uncooked sausage in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Cooked sausage will last for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze the sausage both raw and cooked. For raw sausage, form it into patties or links, place them on a baking sheet in a single layer, and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They will keep for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! This recipe works wonderfully with ground turkey as a direct substitute for ground chicken. The cooking times and preparation steps remain the same.
The key is to not overwork the meat mixture. Mix the ground chicken and spices just until they are combined. Chilling the mixture for at least 30 minutes before forming patties also helps it bind together and hold its shape during cooking.
Uncooked homemade chicken sausage can be safely stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Once cooked, it will last for 3 to 4 days.
Yes, homemade chicken sausage is generally much healthier. You control the ingredients, so you can use lean chicken, limit the sodium, and avoid the nitrates, preservatives, and fillers often found in commercial sausages.
Italian chicken sausage is typically made from ground chicken mixed with a specific blend of seasonings. The key flavor comes from fennel seed, along with other herbs and spices like paprika, garlic, parsley, and red pepper flakes for a little heat.
More Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this recipe, be sure to explore more of our easy and flavorful meal ideas. For another fantastic ground meat recipe, try our homemade sloppy joes. We’re always sharing new favorites and classic comforts. Pin this recipe to your Pinterest board to save it for later and share it with your friends!
Italian Chicken Sausage Recipe
Italian Chicken Sausage Recipe (That’s Actually Flavorful!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the fennel seeds, smoked paprika, dried parsley, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, olive oil, and minced garlic. Sprinkle the spice blend over the top. Gently mix with your hands until just combined. Do not overwork the mixture.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Form the mixture into patties or crumbles. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a touch of oil. Cook patties for 4-6 minutes per side, or cook crumbles until browned and no longer pink (internal temperature should be 165°F).
Notes
Tip 2: Fry a small test patty to check the seasoning before cooking the entire batch.
Tip 3: The sausage can be made ahead and stored raw in the fridge for up to 2 days or frozen for 3 months.
