Share Your Beautiful Experience

According to chef Mario, “The first step to learning how to grind chicken sausage is to select high-quality chicken thighs with moist flesh and no unpleasant smells”

Picking out the right meat is important when making sausage at home.

I have made chicken sausage lots of times using chicken from the farmers market. It is worth taking time to find poultry raised well.

Grinding the chicken myself lets me add any seasonings I like.

Discover the simple steps to grinding your own chicken sausage, suitable even for young learners, and enjoy the authentic taste it brings.

Keep reading to learn more!

Key Takeaways

Learn the art of crafting delicious ground chicken sausage from scratch with expert guidance on seasoning, grinding, and cooking techniques. Discover the secrets to creating flavorful and customizable chicken sausage patties or links right in your own kitchen.

Essential Tools and Ingredients

Tools Needed

The most suitable tool for grinding chicken is a meat grinder fitted with a fine cutting plate. This will thoroughly mince the meat without overworking it. A food processor also works if you pulse in short bursts. You’ll also need some mixing bowls (stainless steel are best) to hold ingredients, and a digital kitchen scale for accurate measuring. Precision is key when building flavor.

Ingredients

Ground chicken thighs or breasts: Boneless, skinless thighs produce moister meat but breasts are more common. Choose meat free of odors.
Herbs and seasonings: Favorites are sage, rosemary, thyme alongside salt and pepper. Experiment to find your signature blend!
Optional additions: Minced garlic and onions infuse subtle flavor. A sprinkle of Parmesan adds salty, savory notes.

Step-by-Step Process

Preparing the Chicken

For optimal texture and flavor distribution, I prep the meat before grinding.

High-quality chicken will result in a moister, more delectable sausage. I remove excess SKIN and visible FAT from the thighs.

Then, I use sharp kitchen shears or a chef’s knife to cut the meat into half-inch cubes.

This uniform size helps the seasonings blend consistently throughout later on.

Seasoning and Mixing

Next comes the magical part – adding SPICE. I weigh out 1 pound of chicken cubes.

Over the top goes 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper, both vital for enhancing the poultry’s natural savoriness.

Any DRIER seasonings like herbes de Provence are sprinkled in next.

As for MOIST herbs like basil or parsley, I reserve those to blend in during grinding so their flavor remains bright.

Grinding the Chicken

It’s now time for the meat grinding fun! I work in small batches of several cubes at once to avoid over-packing the grinder.

Pushing them through the small die takes a bit of muscle but results in a deliciously smooth chicken FILLING.

Between each batch, I pause to properly SANITIZE the grinder parts to refrain from cross-contamination.

Once fully ground, the mixture acquires a paste-like viscosity and flecks of seasoning are distributed throughout – ready for shaping!

Understanding Ground Chicken Sausage

Homemade chicken sausage recipe | How to make sausage at home | Easy sausage | Credits : FOOD ADDICT

What is Ground Chicken Sausage?

Ground chicken sausage is freshly ground chicken meat that has been flavored with SEASONINGS like salt, pepper, herbs and spices. It can be shaped into PATTIES and cooked similar to ground chicken.

Benefits of Making Your Own

Making your own ground chicken sausage allows you to control the INGREDIENTS to create a healthier, customized product. Without additives and FILLERS, it is less expensive than store-bought sausage (1). You can experiment with unique FLAVOR blends.

Recipes for Ground Chicken Sausage

Sausage and Vegetable Frittata

Ingredients:

1 lb ground chicken sausage
1 cup diced bell peppers
1 cup diced onions
8 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup shredded cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 casserole dish. In a skillet over medium heat, cook sausage until no longer pink. Add peppers and onions and cook 5 more minutes. Beat eggs with milk in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper. Stir in sausage mixture and pour into prepared dish. Sprinkle it with cheese. Bake for 25-30 minutes until eggs are set. Slice and serve.

Breakfast Sausage Muffins

Ingredients:

1 lb ground chicken sausage
1 box muffin mix
1 cup milk
1 egg

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a muffin tin with paper liners. Prepare muffin mix according to package instructions, mixing in sausage. Scoop batter into prepared tin. Bake for 15-18 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Serve warm.

Sausage Pizza

Ingredients:

1 lb ground chicken sausage
1 pre-baked pizza crust
1 cup pizza sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425°F. On pizza crust, spread sauce then top with sausage crumbles. Sprinkle it with cheese. Bake for 10-12 minutes until bubbly. Slice and enjoy!

Tips for Success

Maintaining Food Safety

It’s important to always handle meat properly.

Before and after grinding, I scrub counters, boards and the grinder attachments with hot, soapy water.

Cooking sausage to an internal temperature of 165°F using a meat thermometer kills any bad bacteria (2).

For convenience, I also freeze or refrigerate packages of raw sausage right away.

Experimenting with Flavors

Playing with different seasonings is half the fun! Some interesting COMBINATIONS I’ve tried are fresh SAGE paired with roasted GARLIC, or a hint of red pepper flakes for kick.

CHICKEN bouillon gives a richer meatiness.

A potluck favorite adds ROSEMARY and green ONIONS. Have fun experimenting until you create blends your family raves over.

Storage and Usage

Once ground, the sausage maintains quality best in the FREEZER or FRIDGE.

Portioned frozen logs last up to 3 months if kept frozen solid. In the fridge, I can enjoy it within 5 days or freeze leftovers.

Homemade sausage enhances so many RECIPES from simple breakfast PATTIES to pizza to pastas

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can ground chicken sausage be frozen?
A: Yes, freeze in single serving packages for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before cooking.

Q: How long does it last in the refrigerator?
A: Refrigerated sausage remains fresh for about 5 days. Cook or freeze promptly after grinding.

Q: Can ground chicken sausage be used in place of regular ground chicken?
A: Yes! The seasoning makes homemade sausage a flavorful substitute in any recipe calling for ground chicken.

Latest Information

As autumn weather sets in, our home is filled with tantalizing aromas of warm, comforting dishes.

This year, I’ve enjoyed new recipes using HOMEMADE ground chicken sausage.

BUFFALO chicken sausage stuffed portobello mushrooms have been a big hit at our house.

I season the sausage with hot sauce before stuffing the mushroom caps.

A sprinkle of blue cheese adds extra flavor.

Baking brings out all the savory flavors in one package.

For cooler evenings, nothing beats a steaming bowl of sausage, kale and quinoa soup.

I start by browning the sausage in a pot before adding vegetable or chicken broth.

Kale, tomatoes, beans and the nutty grain are simmered until the veggies are tender.

It’s the perfect simple meal to warm everyone up after a long day outdoors.

My family especially loves sampling new creations using ingredients we know are unprocessed. By grinding my own sausage, I can control what goes into our meals.

Best of all, these dishes leave people feeling full and happy all season long.

I have fun experimenting with healthful recipes highlighting the versatility of homemade chicken sausage

Conclusion

In conclusion, learning how to grind your own CHICKEN sausage is a fantastic way to prepare fresh, healthy meals.

By taking a few simple steps, you can control the ingredients to make a GROUND sausage with pure chicken taste and your choice of seasonings.

Whether grilled for a backyard BBQ or added to soups on a winter weekend, homemade sausage offers endless opportunities for delicious DIY recipes.

By following my guidance, even beginners can easily master making moist, flavorful GROUND chicken links.

I hope sharing my techniques has inspired you to give it a try. Remember to first trim any visible fat or skin from the poultry thighs.

Then stir in a signature spice blend as the meat is finely chopped. Have fun playing around with unique HERB and SPICE combinations to discover your family’s favorite sausage FLAVORS.

I’d love to hear about your sausage adventures in the comments below! Share any questions you may have, or what flavors you plan to experiment with.

With basic tools and fresh ingredients, you too can savor the rewards of grinding your own homemade chicken sausage.

Give it a try – I promise you won’t be disappointed with the results!

References

https://www.premiofoods.com/why-choose-chicken-sausage/
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/meat-poultry-products/raw-meat-poultry-and-seafood-safety

Was this helpful?

Yes

Thanks for your feedback!

Mary R. Q.

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.

Key Takeaways