How to Make Homemade Chicken Sausage with Breakfast Seasoning
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Additionally, nothing in this post should be considered medical advice—always consult a qualified professional for any health-related concerns.
Learning how to make your own homemade chicken sausage is a wonderful way to be thrifty in the kitchen!
This recipe uses breakfast seasoning, but you can experiment with other flavors too! The distinctive herb that gives sausage its “sausage-like” flavor is the sage!
We try to eat a high protein diet, and when I grind my own meat from whole chickens to make homemade chicken sausage it’s not only delicious, but it’s our cheapest source of protein per gram!
It’s actually an even cheaper source of protein than eggs!
You can cook it ahead, freeze it, and have it as a grab n’ go breakfast!
If you’re looking for other ways to get protein cheap, check out my recipe for homemade Greek yogurt that doesn’t require any special equipment!
Table of Contents
Tips!
Grind your own meat!
To get the maximum savings it makes a lot of sense to grind your own meat!
It’s surprisingly easy, cost-effective, and gives you full control over the quality of meat you use!
If you don’t have a meat grinder, the return on investment will be paid back quickly as you use it!
Use Whole Chickens for Maximum Savings!
I like to buy whole chickens, use the breasts & thighs for ground chicken and put the drumsticks & wings in the crockpot to make shredded chicken for a variety of recipes.
The free range whole young chickens at Walmart are very affordable!
Use a LOT of seasoning!
Store bought sausage is *very* flavorful. To complete with that at home you have to use a TON of spices in your sausage!
But it will turn out even more mouthwateringly delicious!
You can customize the seasonings to fit your family’s preferences!
For instance, I usually make a batch of sweet maple sausage and leave out the chili pepper flakes for the little kids.
You can substitute 2 Tbsp of maple syrup instead of the coconut sugar in this recipe to make a maple flavored version!
Step-by-Step Grinding Instructions:
1. Select & Prepare Chicken Cuts:
Choose boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts. Remove any fat as this can clog up the grinder.
Cut your chicken into 1-2 inch cubes. This makes it easier for the grinder to process and ensures a more even texture.
2. Freeze Briefly Before Grinding:
Place the cubed chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and pop it in the freezer for about 20-30 minutes. You want the meat very cold but not fully frozen.
This step helps maintain the texture and prevents the grinder from becoming clogged.
3. Grinding the Chicken:
Set up your meat grinder with a medium grinding plate for best results.
Slowly feed the chicken cubes through the grinder, using a plunger to gently press them down.
4. Season Immediately:
Once ground, season your chicken & refrigerate immediately for best flavor infusion and texture.
5. Cook the sausage
I use one spoon to grab a generous scoop of sausage and then use a second spoon to scrape it onto the hot pan. Then I flatten the sausage scoop with a spatula to make a patty.
This way is a lot less messy than using your hands to form patties!
Recommended Meat Grinder:
Handheld meat grinders are actually *more* expensive than electronic ones. This one has great reviews!
Pro Tips:
Chill the grinder parts in the freezer beforehand to keep everything extra cold and reduce smearing.
Clean your grinder thoroughly after use to avoid bacterial buildup and maintain optimal performance.
Homemade Chicken Sausage
Homemade Chicken Breakfast Sausage
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 tbsp rubbed sage
- 1 tbsp dried thyme
- 3/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes or to taste
- 1 tsp ground paprika
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp coconut sugar Or brown sugar
- 1 ½ tsp coarse salt Celtic or Baja Gold sea salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2-4 Tbsp cold water
Instructions
- Mix seasonings and cold water into the ground chicken until thoroughly incorporated.
- Place raw seasoned ground chicken into the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to enhance the flavors and improve the texture.
- Heat a skillet over medium high heat with a dash of cooking oil.
- Using two spoons or a scoop, place a patty-sized amount of the seasoned meat on the hot skillet and immediately flatten with a spatula.
- Continue cooking until the patties are browned and cooked through.