“Chicken sausages come in lots of tasty varieties like spicy andouille and Italian herbs.” – Jane, the charcuterie master, says.
Imagine biting into a juicy chicken sausage, with flavors dancing on your tongue! I’ve tasted so many kinds, from fiery hot to deliciously herby.
It’s like a flavor adventure in every bite.
Some are smoky and bold, while others are light and fresh.
But what really gets me is how chicken sausages can surprise you – a mild one might pack an unexpected punch, or a spicy one could have a secret sweetness.
Just wait until you taste all the varieties! They’ll have you craving more sausage-y goodness.
KEY TAKEAWAY
Chicken sausage types and varieties, what to know?
Chicken sausage types and varieties (1) encompass a wide range of flavors and ingredients, including spicy, sweet, and savory options.
Popular varieties include spicy chicken sausage, apple maple chicken sausage, and Italian chicken sausage.
Exploring the Variety of Chicken Sausages
Over the years, I’ve enjoyed discovering the wide world of chicken sausages.
Like many, I was first introduced to the mild Italian and breakfast varieties commonly found at my local supermarket.
However, as my culinary adventures expanded, I learned there was far more richness and complexity to explore in this versatile ingredient.
Flavors Beyond the Ordinary
| Sausage Type | Features |
| Hot Dog Style | Modeled after classic hot dogs, these sausages have a subtly sweet flavor profile and snappy texture for outdoor cooking. |
| Sweet Apple Sage | Infused with diced apples and fresh sage, this variety brings a light fruitiness perfect for autumn meals. |
| Boar’s Head Peppercorn | A spice-forward sausage packed with herbs and black peppercorns for bold seasoning. |
Moving beyond the well-known versions also revealed nutritious qualities.
Chicken sausage tends to be lower in fat than pork varieties while still providing savory meatiness.
The sausages themselves also act as tasty vessels to showcase diverse flavors through varied seasonings and mix-ins.
Personal Discovery
Early in my cooking journey, I began grilling chicken sausages alongside veggie kabobs for simple al fresco dinners.
Their mild taste allowed other ingredients to shine without overpowering more delicate components.
This opened my eyes to using them in place of beef or pork in many favorite recipes too.
After years of trying out these things, I’ve continued to appreciate chicken sausage as a good source of protein.
My favorite remains the mild Italian style for its subtle herbaceousness.
However, I always look forward to stumbling upon novel varieties that continue expanding my culinary horizons.
The diversity keeps meals interesting!
Versatility and Discovery
Whether served hot off the grill or incorporated into casseroles and pastas, chicken sausage delivers savory flavors with a mildly healthy profile.
Their soft interior and casing provide an approachable texture too.
While the classic preparations satisfy, exploring unusual flavors presents new ideas.
I encourage others to venture down this culinary path of discovery and appreciate the versatility chicken sausage brings to any meal.
Popular Flavors of Chicken Sausage
Over the years of exploring chicken sausages, a few standouts have become quite popular for good reason.
Here are some varieties I’ve found to be most enjoyable.
Spicy Chicken Sausage
| Ingredients | Cooking Tips | Recipe Ideas |
| Chicken meat, black pepper, chili peppers, garlic, onion | Grill or pan fry over medium heat until fully cooked through. The spicy kick gets a nice char from the heat. | Serve with roasted veggies, atop salads, or alongside fresh pasta tossed in olive oil. |
The fiery mix of chili peppers and warm spices make this sausage (2) really sing.
When grilling, I often pair it with naked chicken or pork sausage links for extra flavor contrast.
Their meat mixtures complement each other nicely on the plate.
Apple Maple Chicken Sausage
This unique sausage weds the sweetness of diced apples and maple syrup for an intriguingly different profile.
Grilling caramelizes the natural sugars, intensifying the aroma.
I find the mild chicken base allows the fruit flavors to shine through delicately.
Their sweetness pairs well with savory dishes like stuffing or quiche for breakfast.
| Key Flavors | Serving Suggestions |
| Apples, maple syrup, cornbread seasoning | Serve atop waffles or pancakes. Also try mixing with breakfast potatoes. |
Traditional Italian Chicken Sausage
Featuring fennel, crushed red pepper, and garlic, these sausages mimic the taste of their pork counterparts.
Their chicken base provides a milder meatiness perfect for layering atop pizzas and pastas.
I enjoy them most simply prepared then tossed with linguine in olive oil and sweet Italian sausages parcooked alongside for extra richness.
Versatile and full of balanced flavor, it’s easy to see why these remain crowd favorites.
Specialty Chicken Sausages Varieties
Beyond basic flavors, some varieties offer uniquely delicious profiles.
After trying many over the years, here are a few of my preferred specialty sausages and notable brands associated with quality offerings.
Chicken Breakfast Sausage
| Key Attributes | Recipe Idea |
| Seasoned with sage, thyme, pepper. Ground chicken, often with spinach or corn. | Prepare patties or links, then serve in an egg skillet or atop waffles. |
Perfect for breakfast, these nutritious sausages satisfy cravings with less fat than pork.
I enjoy investigating brands using high welfare, antibiotic-free chicken too for wellness.
Smoked Chicken Sausage
Imparting a hearty smoked essence, these sausages feel heartier than regular cooked sausage.
Try grilling until lightly charred then serving atop roasted potatoes or in a hearty stew. Delicious!
Garlic Chicken Sausage
Robust garlic flavor infused throughout.
Wonderful paired with simple pastas, flatbread pizzas, or rice dishes for maximum flavor impact.
Notable Brands
| Brand | Key Qualities | Favorite Varieties |
| Al Fresco | All-natural, no preservatives, high protein, 12 varieties | Sundried Tomato and Spinach Feta are amazing! |
| Trader Joe’s | Affordable, range of global flavors | Italian and Apple Sage are top sellers |
| Aidells | Gourmet formulations, artisanal sourcing | Spicy Italian and Roasted Garlic are phenomenal |
| Applegate | Organic, no antibiotics/hormones, humanely raised | Apple Chicken and Chili Lime are zesty delights |
I prefer seeking brands using high welfare practices and minimal ingredients.
There truly exists a chicken sausage for every palate and meal!
Nutrition and Wellness Considerations
When choosing sausages, chicken offers certain benefits over traditional pork.
After periodically reviewing nutrition facts, some qualities became clear.
Nutritional Value of Chicken Sausage
| Nutrient | Amount | Effect |
| Protein | 12g+ per serving | Keeps you full, builds muscle |
| Fat | 3-6g normally | Less than fatty pork sausage |
| Sodium | 400-650mg usually | Check labels for lower options |
Their meaty texture and herbs/spice flavoring means you likely won’t miss heavier meats.
Many brands also use chicken raised without antibiotics for a wellness advantage.
Comparisons with Pork
While pork sausages deliver strong taste from traditional fats and seasoning, their makeup often includes more saturated fat, calories and cholesterol than chicken.
For those watching weight or health, chicken can satisfy cravings with less physiological impact.
Organic and Health-Conscious Choices
Seeking brands using humanely raised, certified organic or non-GMO verified chicken promotes welfare too.
Applegate and Al Fresco fit this mold with sausages boasting clean, simple ingredients like free-range chicken, herbs and spices alone.
Their certified humane, organic or non-GMO status put mind at ease when choosing sausage for any meal need.
Overall, chicken sausage versatility and relatively mild nutrition profile make them a sensible choice for everyday eating.
Their texture and variety of flavors mean goodbye to the need for traditional higher-fat pork or all-beef sausages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a hot dog made of?
A hot dog is a type of sausage made from a meat mixture.
Most hot dogs contain chicken meat and pork.
The meat is placed inside an edible casing before being cooked or smoked.
How can I find lower fat chicken sausage?
Some chicken sausages have less fat than others.
Pay attention to the fat content listed on the package.
Chicken sausages made with extra lean chicken breast often have fewer calories and less fat.
You can also choose chicken sausages packed in pork casing instead of skin casing, which tend to be lower in fat.
Where can I find a variety of chicken sausages?
Grocery stores often carry a good selection of chicken sausage.
Trader Joe’s typically has an organic chicken sausage variety.
Specialty grocery stores may have an even larger selection, including hard to find types like smoked chicken or dried sausage.
You can also try butchers and meat markets for homemade or specialty chicken sausages.
What kinds of chicken sausages are there?
There are many types of chicken sausage available.
Some popular varieties include Italian sausage, spicy Italian, chicken bacon, smoked chicken sausage, and chicken link sausage.
Flavors range from mild to hot and spicy.
The sausage might also be fresh, refrigerated, or smoked versions.
Are chicken sausages healthier than pork?
Chicken sausage can be a healthier option than pork sausage in many cases.
Chicken sausage is lower in saturated fat and cholesterol.
It provides lean protein without the higher fat content found in some pork sausages.
Chicken sausage also tends to use antibiotic-free and organic chicken, which has additional health benefits.
However, check labels, as some chicken sausages still contain pork or have high sodium levels.
What brand of chicken sausage is best?
There is no single best brand, as taste preferences and health needs can vary between individuals.
Some top-selling national brands include Hillshire Farm and organic brands found at Whole Foods.
For the highest quality chicken and healthiest ingredients, look for brands that use antibiotic-free, organic, or pasture-raised chicken in their sausage mixture and avoid added nitrates when possible.
Reading labels can help you find the best option for your needs.
How can I make my own chicken sausage?
Making your own chicken sausage allows you full control over the ingredients.
You’ll need chicken meat, seasonings, casings, and a sausage stuffer or grinder.
Some recipes use all chicken while others combine chicken with small amounts of pork for flavor and fat.
Curing salt is optional depending on whether the sausage will be cooked or dried.
Form the seasoned chicken mixture into links, twist the casing closed, and refrigerate or freeze until ready to cook.
Homemade sausage lets you customize flavors and your own varieties.
Conclusion
After years of sampling the many FLAVORS of chicken sausage available, one thing is clear – there truly is a sausage for every TASTE and OCCASION.
From traditional morning fare to robust gourmet varieties, chicken sausage brings VERSATILITY and MEATINESS to dishes worldwide.
With their mild NUTRITION profile and CLEAN ingredients, they make for a HEALTH-CONSCIOUS choice as well.
Whether grilling up links for summer BBQs or roasting MEDLEYs for fall meals, exploring new sausage varieties promises to keep any PALATE excited.
I encourage all home cooks to discover the JOY of chicken sausage!
References
- https://www.premiofoods.com/product-category/chicken-sausage/
- https://www.zorabian.com/blogs/the-5-best-things-about-chicken-sausage-for-healthy-you/#:~:text=Chicken%20Sausages%20Offer%20A%20High%20Dose%20Of%20Protein&text=And%20a%20protein%2Drich%20diet,and%20aids%20in%20weight%20loss.
Related Articles
- https://milkwoodrestaurant.com/spicy-chicken-sausage/
- https://milkwoodrestaurant.com/chicken-sausage-benefits/
- https://milkwoodrestaurant.com/italian-chicken-sausage/
- https://milkwoodrestaurant.com/chicken-sausage/
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I’m Mary R. Q. , a seasoned professional chef dedicated to elevating home cooking experiences. Through my expertise in the culinary arts, I provide practical cooking tips and insightful reviews of kitchen utensils on my blog, milkwoodrestaurant.com. As a passionate advocate for transforming everyday meals into extraordinary culinary adventures, I aim to empower home cooks with the knowledge and tools they need to create delicious and memorable dishes. I’m also an author of the book “1,001 Kitchen Tips & Tricks: Helpful Hints for Cooking, Baking, and Cleaning (1,001 Tips & Tricks)” which is sold on Amazon. Join me on a flavorful journey as we explore the art of cooking and the essential tools that make it a joy.
