Italian Chicken Sausage Recipes: Authentic Flavors

Italian chicken sausage is a versatile sausage choice according to Chef Mario.

Substituting chicken for pork creates a lower-fat version with the same savory flavors. 

As a lifelong foodie who has been working on the kitchen for few years, I was tired of store-bought sausages filled with unwanted ingredients.

One day, I decided to try making my own batch of Italian chicken sausage from scratch. 

I was stunned by how easy and delicious it turned out – and you’ll be amazed too!

Read on to learn the simple steps I discovered to make the best sausage ever without all the mysteries.

Key Takeaway

Italian chicken sausage is a lean, lower-fat version of traditional pork Italian sausage that substitutes ground chicken for the pork. It has all the savory and herby flavor of standard Italian sausage while being easier on the waistline.

How to Make Italian Chicken Sausage

Ingredients for Italian Chicken Sausage

When choosing the ingredients for your italian chicken sausage, focus on using whole, minimally processed foods to keep calories low and nutrition high. Reach for:

• Ground chicken breast – a lean protein powerhouse that packs a protein punch without added fat grams
• Sea salt – for balanced, full-bodied flavor beyond sodium alone
• Garlic powder – a potent yet budget-friendly way to add garlic’s immunity-boosting compounds
• Fennel seeds – the trademark spice of italy, fennel adds layers of warmth and aroma
• Crushed red pepper – just a touch adds subtle heat and eye-catching color
• Freshly cracked black pepper – critical for peak peppery zing
• Extra virgin olive oil – heart-healthy monounsaturated fat and flavor compounds to keep things moist

By judiciously selecting quality, whole-food components, your sausage will check all the boxes for taste and nutrition.

Instructions for Making Italian Chicken Sausage

Put your culinary knowledge to good use with these streamlined steps:

1. Toss – add all ingredients to a bowl and toss to distribute spices evenly. no special equipment required!
2. Mix – spend 5 minutes mixing with a wooden spoon or your clean hands. this helps the ingredients bond for maximum taste.
3. Shape – portion into ping pong ball sized rounds or 6-inch coils for petite proportions.
4. Cook – fry in olive oil over medium until browned outside but still tender inside, about 7-10 minutes total.

There you have it – succulent, protein-packed Italian chicken sausage made quickly and easily right in your own kitchen. 

With minimal active time, you’ve taken complete control of what goes into your food in the simplest way possible.

I hope you’ll give this recipe a try – you’ll be so pleased with the result!

Benefits of Using Chicken Over Pork

When it comes to crafting sausage, people often default to using pork without realizing chicken sausage has some hidden benefits worth appreciating.

As a conscious eater, you’re always exploring less common ingredient swaps that can have a big impact on nutrition without compromising taste. 

In the case of homemade Italian chicken sausage, three advantages really stand out from your research:

1. Lower Fat Content:

• Chicken sausage tends to be significantly lower in total fat and saturated fat than pork varieties. (1)
• In a simple sausage skillet breakfast featuring two Italian sausages, the comparison is as follows

   For anyone keeping a close eye on heart-healthy fats, this difference really adds up over time.

2. Flavorful Despite Removing Pork:

• Chicken sausage remains remarkably full of flavor despite removing pork.
• The other meats and seasonings do plenty of heavy lifting in the taste department, proving meat amounts don’t directly correlate with enjoyment.
• Satisfying spice and herb blends are really what define the characteristic flavors we crave.

3. Maximizing Protein Intake:

• Swapping in chicken sausage is an easy diet swap for maximizing protein intake without overdoing calories or cholesterol levels.
• As an active person focused on muscle gain, this leaner option allows you to emphasize protein building without the unnecessary fat grams.
• The result is a fitter, stronger physique fueled by the highest quality nutrients money can buy.

So, whether watching your weight, health markers, or just wanting to mix things up, learning to love homemade Italian sausage could start a new cooking tradition with some hidden rewards. 

Don’t be afraid to think outside the meatbox—variety helps keep nutrition balanced and diet sustainable long term.

Recipe Ideas Using Italian Chicken Sausage

One of the perks of making your own homemade Italian chicken sausage is the versatility – this lean protein is equally suited to simple weeknight meals as weekend feasts.

Here are four of my favorite recipes featuring this gluten-free, low-fat sausage.

Sausage and Peppers

Ingredients:

• 1 lb italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 each red, green, and yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 1 Tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a large sausage skillet over medium.
2. Add peppers and onion; cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Crumble sausage into skillet and cook an additional 7-10 minutes until browned and no pink remains.
4. Remove from heat; serve sausage and peppers alone or on sandwiches for a heartier meal.

Pizza Topping

Ingredients:

• 1 lb italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 pre-made pizza crust
• 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella

Instructions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 450°F and lay crust on pizza pan.
2. Crumble cooked sausage over crust and spread marinara evenly over top.
3. Sprinkle with mozzarella.
4. Bake 10-12 minutes until crust is crispy and cheese melted.

Sausage and Pasta Sauce

Ingredients:

• 8 oz homemade italian sausage
• 16 oz penne or other ribbon pasta
• 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce

Instructions:

1. Cook sausage in skillet until browned; remove from heat and set aside.
2. Cook pasta al dente; drain and return to pot.
3. Add sausage and marinara; toss to coat.
4. Serve warm – ribbons of pasta grab every morsel of flavorful sauce.

Grilled Sausage Skewers

Ingredients:

• 12 sweet italian chicken sausages
• 1 each pepper, zucchini, onion, quartered

Instructions:

1. Alternate sausage and veggies on skewers; brush all with oil.
2. Grill 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until sausage is firm.
3. Enjoy alongside grilled corn or as a simple cooked meal.
4. Versatile and easy to alter, these recipes put your homemade sausage stars in the spotlight. Let me know if you give any a try!

Tips for the Best Flavored Sausage

Ingredients:

• Use only the highest quality fresh herbs and spices like garlic, fennel, pepper flakes. Fresh is best for deep flavor.

Measure Twice:

• Measure spices precisely. Too much red pepper can make it inedible, so taste as you add layers of spices.

Give it Time:

• Allow the mixed sausage to sit in the fridge for 1-2 hours before cooking. This “steep” time allows the spices to mingle and develop complexity.

Cook Thoroughly:

• Whether pan searing or oven roasting, cook the sausage gently and fully. Rushing can lead to drying out or undercooking. Tend to it carefully until firm yet tender.

The Payoff:

• Following these small tweaks can take your Italian turkey sausage from good to great. Even chefs love the homemade flavor with minimal effort. Practice makes perfect sausage!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Italian chicken sausage?

Italian chicken sausage is a type of cooked sausage made with ground chicken, Italian-style sausage seasonings like fennel seeds, garlic, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. 

It has all of the great flavor of traditional pork Italian sausage, but is lower in fat and calories since chicken is used instead of pork.

Can Italian chicken sausage be gluten-free?

Yes, Italian chicken sausage can easily be made gluten-free if gluten-free ingredients are used. 

Be sure to use gluten-free sausage seasonings and avoid breadcrumbs or wheat fillers. 

The basic recipe uses only ground chicken and fresh herbs/spices, so it inherently contains no gluten.

What can I use Italian chicken sausage for?

There are lots of delicious ways to enjoy Italian chicken sausage! 

Some popular preparations include crumbling it into pasta sauces like marinara or alfredo; making sausage sandwiches; baking it into dishes like homemade pizza; or grilling whole links to serve and enjoy. It’s also great in one-pan weeknight meals like sausage and peppers or sausage skillet.

Can you use turkey instead of chicken for Italian sausage?

Yes, you can certainly use ground turkey or turkey sausage in place of chicken to make an Italian sausage (3). 

The flavors from the herbs and spices are what really define an Italian sausage, so using turkey instead of chicken works well and provides a slightly leaner option. 

Just be sure to follow the same cooking instructions as for chicken sausage.

How do I cook Italian chicken sausage?

To cook Italian chicken sausage, heat a skillet over medium heat and coat with a small amount of extra virgin olive oil or non-stick cooking spray. 

Add the sausage links or crumbles and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is no longer pink and has reached an internal temperature of 165°F. 

This typically takes around 8-12 minutes total depending on quantity. Be careful not to overcook for best texture and moisture. Enjoy!

What are the nutrition facts for Italian chicken sausage?

The nutrition facts can vary depending on specific brand or homemade recipe, but as a general guideline, a 3-ounce serving size of Italian chicken sausage has:

• Calories: 80-110
• Fat: 3-6g
• Sodium: 350-600mg
• Protein: 10-15g
• Carbs: 0-2g

Looking for lower fat or calories? Homemade versions allow control over ingredients like choosing lean ground meat and limiting olive oil.

Conclusion

Homemade Italian chicken sausage is a tasty addition providing versatile uses. Choosing lean meat and limiting oil ensures lower fat and calories yet full flavor from quality herbs and spices. 

Whether enjoying in pastas, on pizza, or in sheet pan meals, handcrafted sausages creatively add protein. With practice in seasoning balance and gentle cooking, remarkably delicious results reward. 

Following this guide’s instruction on ingredient selection, mixing, cooking and recipes has empowered home cooks. Use only fresh, high-quality ingredients for best taste. With tweaking, creations could become new favorites! 

Think outside convention by making heart-healthy swaps like subbing chicken for pork, providing endless possibilities through cooking variety. I hope you found this guide helpful for learning to craft flavorful homemade Italian chicken sausage. 

Have you given this versatile recipe a try? Feel free to share in the comments your favorite ways to prepare or enjoy these sausages. 

I’d also love to hear if you’ve discovered any unique seasoning blends or cooking techniques.

Together we can help each other perfect the art of making crave-worthy chicken sausage for ourselves and our families.

References

1. https://www.livestrong.com/article/335820-chicken-sausage-nutrition-information/
2. https://confessionsofafitfoodie.com/how-to-make-homemade-italian-sausage-with-ground-chicken-or-turkey/

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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.