Homemade Chicken Apple Sausage

A morning of Christmas breakfast calls for a big pot of coffee, warm cinnamon rolls, and this homemade chicken and apple sausage. Mixing and cooking up these sausage patties is just as easy—maybe even easier—than weeknight burgers or meatballs. The trick is to grate the fresh apple and the garlic so it blends with the meat and saves you lots of chopping. Mild, lean ground chicken is the perfect choice here: the apple keeps it juicy and the flavor won't overpower any baked goods or fruit on the table. You can even serve this sausage as a side dish for Thanksgiving breakfast or any big weekend brunch.

Is ground chicken the same as ground chicken breast?

Ground chicken combines white and dark meat, plus some chicken fat. This combo gives it a richer flavor and helps keep it moist during cooking. Ground chicken breast is just white meat; try it in a meatball mix with cooked onion, breadcrumbs, and an egg to add moisture. 

What can you do with fennel seed?

Fennel seed has an anise flavor—a bit like licorice—and is a classic seasoning for many types of sausage. Besides this sausage, try adding a pinch to creamy chicken salad, a vinaigrette, or a rub for pork tenderloin. Remember, a little fennel seed goes a long way!  

How do you keep sausage from sticking?

The fresh sausage mixture will be a bit wet and sticky. Wet your hands with cold water first, then handle the mix as little as possible so it stays pretty cold. Wait to flatten the balls into patties until after you've added them to the pan.