Adding flavorful ingredients is key. Sauté aromatics like onions, garlic, or peppers before adding sausage. Deglaze with wine or broth. Mix in herbs, spices, cheese, or sautéed veggies. Pairing chicken sausage with creamy elements helps too. Mustard, olive oil, avocado, or melted cheese lend moisture.Finally, don’t overcook. Browning adds nice color and flavor. But going past 160°F can dry it out. Want more tasty ways to jazz up chicken sausage? From skillet suppers to appetizers, the options are endless! Keep reading for simple recipes to make that chicken sausage shine. (1)
Key Takeaway
- Start with high-quality chicken sausage for the best flavor.
- Use fresh herbs and spices to enhance taste.
- Try different cooking methods for delicious results.
Choosing Quality Chicken Sausage
For the most flavorful chicken sausage dishes, it all starts with choosing high-quality links. When browsing the grocery aisle, look for sausages made with minimal, natural ingredients. Simple recipes with chicken, spices, and herbs let the real flavors shine through. Fancier varieties like apple chicken sausage add a touch of sweetness that livens up any meal.Checking the source of the meat also matters – chickens raised humanely without antibiotics or hormones make for tastier sausages. Brands that care about animal welfare tend to produce better-tasting proteins across the board.With so many options lining store shelves these days, it pays to read labels and select a chicken sausage made with whole, natural ingredients. Starting with quality links gives you a huge head start in crafting delicious sausage dishes. A tasty sausage seasoned just right is a quick route to an easy, flavorful dinner!
Seasoning Techniques
Cooking Methods
There are so many tasty ways to cook up chicken sausage! Grilling, sautéing, and baking are all great options that add flavor in different ways.Grilling the links over hot flames gives a nice char while infusing a smoky essence. Preheating the grill and pricking the sausages helps them cook evenly. Turning them ensures the smoky flavor penetrates all around.Sautéing in a hot skillet creates a flavorful crust on the outside while keeping the inside moist. Slicing the sausage into pieces allows for more surface area to brown. Adding aromatics like garlic and onions lets their essences infuse into the meat, taking the flavor up a notch.Baking chicken sausage on a sheet pan with veggies makes for a hands-off dinner with incredible depth. Tossing everything in olive oil and herbs before roasting allows the flavors to mingle beautifully. The sausage juices create a delicious seasoning for the vegetables.With so many options, it’s fun to try out new cooking methods! From smoky grilling to skillet sautés to easy oven bakes, each technique can make chicken sausage shine in new and tasty ways. A little creativity in the kitchen brings this versatile staple to life.
Meal Ideas
Credits: Sweet & Spicy
Chicken Sausage Stir-Fry
This quick dish is colorful and full of flavor!Ingredients:
- 2 chicken sausage links, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 red onion, sliced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions: For a fast and healthy dinner, try this easy chicken sausage stir-fry. Just a few simple steps creates a nutritious meal packed with veggies and flavor.First, get the skillet hot and sauté the sliced sausage until nicely browned. Browning the sausage brings out the flavor and ensures it’s cooked through. Next, stir in crisp bell pepper, zucchini and red onion. Keep stir-frying until the veggies are tender but still have crunch.Then make a quick sauce by mixing together soy sauce and sesame oil. Pour this over the sausage and veggies and let it simmer briefly to absorb the flavors.Serve the stir-fry over a bed of fluffy rice for a complete and balanced meal. With hearty sausage, loads of fresh vegetables and whole grains, this dinner checks all the boxes. And it can be prepped start to finish in under 30 minutes! This easy peasy stir-fry makes a nutritious dinner any night of the week. (3)
Sheet Pan Dinner
A simple one-pan meal that is easy to make!Ingredients:
- 2 chicken sausage links, sliced
- 1 sweet potato, cubed
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions: For an effortless one-pan dinner, try roasting sausages with veggies. Just a few easy steps delivers a meal that’s both hearty and hassle-free.First, preheat the oven to 425°F to get it nice and hot. Chop up sweet potatoes and broccoli into bite-sized pieces and slice the sausages. Toss everything on a baking sheet with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of garlic powder to add flavor.Roast the veggie-sausage sheet pan dinner for 25-30 minutes until the sausages are cooked through and the veggies are tender. Then dig in!With just one pan, this meal comes together quickly and keeps cleanup to a minimum. No pots and pans to scrub after dinner – just pop the sheet pan in the dishwasher. Roast up this sheet pan supper on a busy weeknight for a fuss-free meal everyone will love.
Chicken Sausage Pasta
This hearty meal combines chicken sausage with pasta.Ingredients:
- 8 ounces cooked pasta of your choice
- 2 chicken sausage links, sliced
- 2 cups spinach or kale
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup marinara sauce
Instructions: For a fast, filling dinner the whole family will love, try this easy skillet pasta:First, get that skillet sizzling and sauté garlic with the sliced sausage until nicely browned. Browning adds tons of flavor! Once the sausage is cooked through, stir in hearty greens like spinach or kale and let them wilt down. The greens provide a pop of color and pack in some veggies.Next, mix in the cooked pasta and marinara sauce, heating everything together so the flavors combine. And that’s it – a hearty, satisfying skillet meal ready in minutes. With protein from the sausage, carbs from the pasta, and nutrients from the greens, this dish covers all the bases. The best part? Only one pan to wash! This fast weeknight dinner will become a regular rotation.
Flavor Enhancements
This one-pan sausage and veggie roast is already packed with flavor, but a few small tweaks can take it to the next level:Add a splash of acid at the end to brighten it up. A squeeze of lemon or drizzle of vinegar gives the dish a tangy zing, balancing the richness of the sausage. It adds that little something extra that makes every bite sing.Sprinkle on some grated cheese before serving for an extra layer of flavor. The savory, salty notes of Parmesan, mozzarella or feta perfectly complement the chicken sausage. Just a light dusting of cheese takes this meal from great to spectacular.With just a touch of acidity to balance and cheese to enrich, this easy one-pan dinner goes from simple to standout. Those finishing touches make the flavors pop even more, sure to satisfy any palate. It’s an easy way to take a weeknight staple to restaurant-worthy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, chicken sausage can taste delicious with the right tricks. Start with high-quality sausages and add bold seasonings like garlic, herbs and spices. Cook using methods like sautéing, grilling or baking rather than boiling to maximize flavor. Pair chicken sausage with ingredients like cheese, mustard or olive oil for extra moisture. With creative recipes, chicken sausage can be so tasty. Use these tips to make it shine in your meals!
FAQ
How can I make my chicken sausage taste better?
To make your chicken sausage taste delicious, try seasoning it with black pepper, fennel seeds, and crushed red pepper. You can also sauté it with fresh garlic, bell peppers, and onions. For extra flavor, add a splash of chicken broth or apple cider vinegar when cooking. Baking the chicken sausage in the oven or air frying it can also enhance the taste and texture.
What are some good ways to serve chicken sausage?
Chicken sausage is super versatile! You can serve it for breakfast with eggs and English muffins, or use it in lunch and dinner dishes like chicken sausage skillet, chicken and veggies, or chicken sausage stew. It also pairs great with comfort foods like creamy chicken sausage pasta or chicken sausage stuffed acorn squash. The options are endless!
How can I store leftover chicken sausage?
To keep your leftover chicken sausage fresh, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze cooked chicken sausage for longer storage. Just make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in a freezer-safe bag. When ready to use, thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.
What are some of the best seasonings for chicken sausage?
To make your chicken sausage really shine, try seasoning it with a blend of black pepper, fennel seeds, and crushed red pepper. Fresh garlic, chopped onions, and a splash of chicken broth or apple cider vinegar can also add lots of great flavor. You can also get creative by mixing in fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary, or even a sprinkle of brown sugar for a touch of sweetness.
How do I ensure my chicken sausage is fully cooked?
To make sure your chicken sausage is cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check that it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. You can also slice into a sausage to check that the juices run clear and there’s no pink meat inside. Cooking the sausage in a skillet, on the grill, or in the oven until it’s nicely browned all over will also help ensure it’s fully cooked.
Referencess
- https://www.facebook.com/mealswithabi/videos/homemade-chicken-sausages-that-taste-so-good-its-really-easy-to-make-and-you-can/1335171057644686/
- https://www.eatloveeats.com/best-chicken-sausage-recipes/
- https://www.seriouseats.com/roasted-garlic-and-feta-chicken-sausage-recipe
Related Articles
- https://milkwoodrestaurant.com/what-to-season-chicken-sausage-with/
- https://milkwoodrestaurant.com/chicken-sausage-escarole-pasta/
- https://milkwoodrestaurant.com/how-to-cook-with-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.
