How to Make Perfect Chicken Breakfast Sausage
As the sun rises, your stomach starts to rumble. You crave a hearty, savory breakfast. Why not try something lighter and healthier? Chicken breakfast sausage is the perfect protein-packed addition to your morning.
I remember making my own chicken sausage patties for the first time. It seemed scary, but it was surprisingly easy. I could control the ingredients and seasonings. This made my breakfast both delicious and guilt-free. Ready to change your morning meal? Let’s make these juicy, flavorful chicken breakfast sausages together.
Table of Contents
Introduction to Homemade Chicken Breakfast Sausage
Homemade chicken breakfast sausage is a great choice for a healthier breakfast. You can pick the ingredients, cut down on fat and calories, and save money compared to store-bought sausage. Plus, it’s easy to make – just mix spices with ground chicken, shape into patties, and cook.
Benefits of Making Your Own Sausage
Making your own chicken breakfast sausage has many advantages over store-bought:
- Personalize the flavor with your favorite seasonings
- Use lean ground chicken for a nutritious protein source
- Reduce fat and calories by controlling the ingredients
- Save money compared to pre-made sausage links or patties
- Enjoy the satisfaction of making something homemade
The health benefits of chicken sausage include its lean protein and lower fat and calorie content. By making it yourself, you can boost its nutritional value and cost savings of DIY sausage.
“Crafting your own chicken breakfast sausage is a simple way to enjoy a healthier, more budget-friendly morning protein.”
Ingredients for Chicken Breakfast Sausage
The secret to tasty homemade chicken breakfast sausage is the right mix of chicken breakfast sausage ingredients. At its core is ground chicken, a lean protein that’s healthier than traditional pork sausage. You can buy ground chicken or make your own by grinding chicken breasts in a food processor.
Along with lean protein from ground chicken, you’ll need spices and seasonings for that special breakfast sausage flavor. You’ll need:
- Black pepper
- Smoked paprika
- Crushed red pepper (optional for a spicy kick)
- Sage
- Allspice
A bit of brown sugar or maple syrup adds a sweet touch. This balances the savory flavors of the chicken breakfast sausage ingredients. The result is a tasty, healthy breakfast sausage that’s perfect for starting your day.
Ground Chicken: The Lean Protein Base
The base of these homemade chicken breakfast sausages is ground chicken. It’s leaner than pork or beef sausage, making it a better choice for breakfast. You can find ground chicken at most grocery stores or grind your own chicken breasts in a food processor.
Choose a lean ground chicken blend, like 93/7 meat to fat. This gives you great flavor and texture without too much grease or calories.
Chicken Breakfast Sausage Seasoning Blend
The flavor of homemade chicken breakfast sausages comes from a special seasoning blend. It includes black pepper, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper, sage, allspice, and a bit of brown sugar or maple syrup. This mix of warm, savory, and sweet flavors gives you that classic breakfast sausage taste.
To make the seasoning, you’ll need:
- 2 teaspoons coarse ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
You can adjust the spice amounts to your liking for the perfect chicken sausage seasoning. The mix of these flavors gives you that classic breakfast sausage spices and homemade sausage seasoning taste.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Lean Ground Chicken | 1 lb |
| Roasted Hatch Green Chiles, chopped | 1/2 cup |
| Dark Brown Sugar | 2 tablespoons |
| Coarse Ground Black Pepper | 2 teaspoons |
| Red Hatch Chile Powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Crushed Red Pepper | 1 teaspoon |
| Rubbed Sage | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Kosher Salt | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Olive Oil (for skillet) | 2 tablespoons |
This seasoning blend makes 10 sausage patties. Each patty has 129 calories, 4g carbs, 10g protein, and 8g fat. They cook to 165°F, ensuring they’re safe and tasty.
Tips for Cooking Chicken Sausage Patties
Achieving the Perfect Sear and Crust
To cook chicken breakfast sausage well, use a stainless steel or cast iron skillet. Heat it over medium-high. This high heat helps create a nice sear and crispy exterior on the sausage patties. Adding olive oil to the pan also helps get that sausage-like crust.
Remember, don’t overcrowd the pan when cooking in batches. This can make the patties steam instead of sear.
Here are some additional tips for getting a good sear on your sausage:
- Pat the sausage patties dry with a paper towel before cooking to remove any excess moisture.
- Use a heavy, well-seasoned skillet or griddle to get a good sear.
- Don’t move the patties around too much during cooking – let them sear and develop a crust before flipping.
- For extra browning, you can brush the tops of the patties with a bit of olive oil or melted butter before flipping.
By following these simple techniques, you can cook your chicken breakfast sausage to perfection. Enjoy that delicious sear and crust in every bite.
“The key to getting a great sear on sausage is to use high heat and let it develop a nice crust before flipping.”
Serving Suggestions for Homemade Sausage
These homemade chicken breakfast sausages are super versatile. You can serve them alone with eggs, pancakes, or potatoes for a hearty breakfast. They also add a great touch to breakfast sandwiches or burritos. Feel free to mix them with other breakfast items to create your own special dish.
One serving of the chicken breakfast sausage patties has 90 calories, 2 net carbs, and 8 grams of protein. You’ll get about 10 patties, perfect for the whole week. Cooked sausages can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for 1-2 months.
Breakfast Bowl Ideas with Homemade Sausage
Try a breakfast bowl with roasted sweet potatoes, scrambled eggs, avocado, and hot sauce. The chicken sausage goes well with the sweet potatoes and creamy avocado. It makes for a nutritious and tasty meal.
Sausage Breakfast Sandwiches
Make a quick breakfast sandwich with the homemade sausage patties. Place the sausage between toasted English muffins or bagels. Add a fried egg and cheese for a classic combo.
| Breakfast Pairing | Flavor Profile | Nutritional Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Eggs | Savory and Protein-Rich | High in Protein, Vitamins, and Minerals |
| Pancakes or Waffles | Sweet and Indulgent | Carbohydrates for Energy |
| Roasted Potatoes | Hearty and Satisfying | Complex Carbs and Fiber |
Remember, the key to serving these homemade chicken breakfast sausages is to get creative and enjoy them in a variety of ways that suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.
Preparing the Chicken Sausage Mixture
To make tasty homemade chicken breakfast sausage, start by mixing the dry spices in a small bowl. This spice blend is the base of your sausage’s flavor. Then, add ground chicken to a bigger bowl and mix in the spices gently. Be careful not to mix too much.
If you can, cover the chicken mix and chill it for 30 minutes to an hour. This step lets the flavors mix well and the ingredients blend together. It makes your sausage taste better and be more cohesive.
Mixing the Chicken Sausage Ingredients
For the sausage mix, you’ll need:
- 1 lb of ground chicken (97/3 ratio of meat to fat)
- 2 cups of cubed mushrooms for added texture and flavor
- 2 tablespoons of avocado oil for cooking
- 1 cup of Panko breadcrumbs to bind the ingredients
- 2 egg yolks for richness and moisture
- 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour for dusting
Mix all the ingredients together gently. This helps your chicken sausage patties stay tender and delicate.
“The key to making delicious homemade chicken breakfast sausage is in the seasoning blend. Take the time to let the flavors meld before forming the patties for the best results.”
Forming and Cooking the Sausage Patties
After mixing your seasoned chicken, it’s time to shape and cook the sausage patties. Shaping chicken breakfast sausage is easy. Just divide the mix into 10 parts and shape each into a patty. Be gentle to avoid compacting the meat too much.
Now, let’s cook the chicken sausage patties. Heat a big skillet over medium-high and add some olive oil. Place the patties in the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side. This will give them a nice crust and ensure they’re cooked to 165°F. Cook in batches if you need to, to prevent the pan from getting too crowded.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Cooking
- Divide the seasoned chicken mixture into 10 equal portions.
- Gently form the portions into round, flattened patties, being careful not to overhandle the mixture.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a small amount of olive oil.
- Carefully place the sausage patties in the hot skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until they develop a golden-brown crust.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the sausage patties reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan and ensure even cooking.
By following these steps, you can shape and cook chicken breakfast sausage perfectly. This will make your breakfast or meal even more delicious.
Meal Prep and Storage Options
These homemade chicken breakfast sausages save a lot of time for meal prep. With a bit of planning, you can make a batch ahead of time. Then, enjoy them all week long.
To keep the cooked sausage patties fresh, store them in an airtight container for up to 4 days. When you’re ready, just reheat them in the microwave until they’re hot.
For longer storage, you can freeze the sausages. Place the cooked patties on a baking sheet, making sure they don’t touch. Then, freeze them. Once frozen, move them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll stay good for up to 3 months.
This recipe is perfect for busy mornings or a healthy meal plan. With some prep work, you’ll have tasty, protein-rich chicken breakfast sausages ready when you need them.
- Refrigerate cooked sausage patties for up to 4 days
- Freeze cooked patties for up to 3 months
- Reheat frozen sausages in the microwave until warmed through
- Meal prepping makes for easy, healthy breakfasts on the go
“Having these chicken sausages in the fridge or freezer is a game-changer for my mornings. I can quickly reheat a couple and have a nutritious breakfast without any fuss.”
Variations and Customizations
Homemade chicken sausage is a blank canvas for your taste. You can mix and match herbs and spices to create your own flavor. Try adding thyme, fennel seeds, or a hint of brown sugar for a unique taste.
Feel free to swap out chicken for turkey or pork. This lets you explore different breakfast sausage flavors.
This recipe is a great starting point for your own chicken sausage. You can serve it with your favorite sides, use it in sandwiches, or as a main dish for brunch. It’s a chance to show off your cooking style.
Whether you like strong flavors or something sweeter, you can make your sausage just right. Don’t be afraid to try new things and find your new go-to breakfast.