Tuscan Herb Chicken Sausage

🕒 Prep: 30 min
🔥 Cook: 15 min
🍽 Serves: 4
★★★★★
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Meet your new favorite homemade sausage: Tuscan Herb Chicken Sausage. Bursting with fresh herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, and a hint of spice, this recipe brings the flavors of Tuscany right to your kitchen. It's perfect for a cozy meal at home.

Ingredients for Tuscan Herb Chicken Sausage

Ground chicken provides a lean base that's perfect for soaking up the Tuscan flavors. Olive oil adds a touch of moisture and enhances the Mediterranean taste. A bit of salt and black pepper balances and boosts the overall flavor profile. Garlic is a must-have for any Italian dish, giving it that aromatic punch. The fresh herbs – rosemary and thyme – bring an earthy, fragrant note to the sausages. Sun-dried tomatoes add a sweet, tangy depth, while parmesan cheese lends a savory richness. Fennel seeds offer that classic sausage flavor, and a pinch of red pepper flakes provides a subtle heat. Finally, lemon zest brightens it all up with a hint of citrus.

Tips & Tricks

  • For even cooking, make sure your patties or links are the same thickness.
  • If you’re short on time, flash-freeze the formed sausages on a baking sheet before cooking.
  • Adjust the red pepper flakes to suit your heat preference.

Serving Suggestions

These sausages pair beautifully with a simple arugula salad drizzled with lemon vinaigrette. Or, serve them over creamy polenta for a comforting meal. They also work great in a sandwich with roasted bell peppers and a smear of pesto.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?
Absolutely! Ground turkey works just as well in this recipe.
How long can these sausages be stored?
They can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Tuscan Herb Chicken Sausage Recipe Walkthrough

First, grab a large bowl and toss in the ground chicken. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and black pepper. This is your base, so make sure everything is combined well. Next, bring in the big flavors: add in the minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme, sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan cheese, fennel seeds, red pepper flakes, and lemon zest. Give it a thorough mix – use your hands if you like, just make sure everything's evenly distributed. Cover the bowl and let it chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This resting period lets the flavors meld beautifully.

After the flavors have mingled, shape the mixture into sausage links or patties, depending on your preference. Preheat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once it's hot, lay your sausages in the skillet. Cook them for about 5 minutes on each side. You'll know they're done when they hit an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Serve them up nice and hot!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • It's packed with authentic Tuscan flavors.
  • Uses lean ground chicken for a healthier option.
  • Easy to make and perfect for meal prep.
  • No need for casings – shape them into patties or links!

Ingredients

2 lbs ground chicken
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp fennel seeds
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tbsp lemon zest

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
2. Add the minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan cheese, fennel seeds, red pepper flakes, and lemon zest to the chicken mixture.
3. Mix the ingredients thoroughly until well combined.
4. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the mixture for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
5. Shape the mixture into sausage links or patties as desired.
6. Preheat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
7. Cook the sausages for about 5 minutes on each side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

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