Tulo

Chicken Apple Sausage Recipe

Golden-brown chicken apple sausage patties stacked on a plate with a skillet in the background.
Photo by Alex Bayev on Pexels

Grating the apple and onion instead of chopping them lets both blend fully into the ground chicken, so every bite gets sweetness and moisture without big chunks that could tear the patty apart, and a short chill firms the mixture enough to hold its shape in the skillet.

Prep
20 min
Cook
15 min
Total
35 min
Servings
4

Ingredients

Servings4
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground chicken
  • 1 medium apple apple, peeled, cored, and finely grated
  • 1/4 cup yellow onion, finely grated
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground fennel seed
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, for cooking

Nutrition per serving

Calories
291
Protein
35g
Carbs
10g
Fat
12g

Based on the recipe as written, one serving. Recalculates if you swap an ingredient above. An estimate only, exact values depend on the specific ingredients used.

Need different units or a different yield? Try our Conversion Calculator →

Instructions

  1. 1Peel, core, and finely grate the apple and onion on the small holes of a box grater. Gather both in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and squeeze firmly to wring out as much liquid as possible.
  2. 2In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, squeezed apple and onion, sage, thyme, fennel, garlic powder, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands just until evenly combined; overworking the mixture will make the patties dense and rubbery.
  3. 3Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions (about 3 ounces each) and shape into patties roughly 1/2 inch thick, pressing a shallow dimple into the center of each with your thumb.
  4. 4Cover and refrigerate the patties for 15 to 20 minutes so they firm up and hold together better in the pan.
  5. 5Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties in batches, 4 to 5 minutes per side, until deeply golden and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the thickest patty reads 165°F (74°C).USDA safe minimum for poultry: 165°F (74°C)
  6. 6Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate and let rest for 2 minutes before serving.
How to Use a Meat Thermometer

Tips & variations

  • Use a firm, tart apple like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp; softer, sweeter apples like Red Delicious break down into mush and add too much moisture.
  • Ground turkey works as a 1:1 swap for the chicken, though the patties will be slightly firmer since turkey typically has less fat.
  • Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of smoked paprika for a spicier, smokier version.
  • For a breakfast-sausage texture, pulse the shaped patties into smaller, thinner rounds and cook a minute less per side.

Storage & reheating

Store cooked patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To freeze, layer uncooked patties between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months; cook from frozen, adding a few extra minutes per side. Reheat cooked patties in a covered skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water to keep them from drying out.

Tips from the Tulo kitchen

  • Lightly wetting your hands before shaping the patties keeps the sticky mixture from clinging to your fingers.
  • Letting the mixed sausage rest in the fridge for 30 minutes before shaping gives the sage and thyme more time to permeate the meat.

FAQ

Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?

Yes, swap it 1:1. Turkey patties will hold together just as well but come out slightly firmer since ground turkey generally has less fat than ground chicken.

Why are my patties falling apart in the pan?

This is almost always excess moisture from the grated apple and onion that wasn't squeezed out, or a mixture that wasn't chilled before cooking. Both make the patties too loose to flip cleanly.

Can I bake these instead of pan-frying?

Yes. Arrange the patties on a parchment-lined sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 18 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they reach 165°F in the center.

What's the best apple for chicken apple sausage?

Firm, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp hold their texture and balance the savory sage and fennel. Very sweet, soft apples add too much liquid and can make the sausage mushy.

More recipes