This Sweet Apple Chicken Sausage is a sweet and savory recipe, which is made with lean ground chicken and fresh apple. It’s a healthy twist on the classic breakfast sausage, ready in about 20 minutes.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s Sweet Apple Chicken Sausage Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken (97/3)
- 1 cup diced apple (120 grams)
- 1/2 cup diced onion (60 grams)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
How To Make Trader Joe’s Sweet Apple Chicken Sausage
- Combine Sausage Mixture: In a medium or large bowl, add the ground chicken, diced apple, diced onion, garlic powder, ground ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix with your hands until just combined.
- Form the Patties: Form the sausage mixture into 11 equal-sized patties, about 2 ounces each.
- Cook the Patties: Heat the oil in a large skillet or cast iron pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken patties in a single layer. Cook for 5 minutes, then flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until browned on both sides and cooked through. Serve immediately.

Recipe Tips
- What’s the best ground chicken to use? The recipe works with ground chicken breast or thighs. Using a blend with some fat (like 93/7) can make the mixture less sticky and the patties juicier than very lean ground chicken.
- How do I keep the mixture from sticking to my hands? If the mixture is too sticky to form into patties, you can lightly wet your hands with water. Chilling the mixture in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes can also help it firm up and become easier to handle.
- Can I use a different type of apple? Yes! For a tarter flavor, use a Granny Smith apple. For a sweeter sausage, use a Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp apple.
- Can I make these ahead of time? Absolutely. You can form the raw patties and store them in the refrigerator, separated by wax paper, for up to 24 hours before cooking. Cooked patties can also be stored and reheated.
What To Serve With This Chicken Sausage
These sweet and savory patties are a perfect addition to a breakfast or brunch spread.
- Scrambled or fried eggs
- Pancakes, French toast, or waffles with maple syrup
- Toast with butter or avocado
- A side of fresh fruit salad
- As a side with a simple fall salad for lunch
How To Store Sweet Apple Chicken Sausage
- Refrigerate: Store cooked sausage patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Place cooked and cooled patties in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen in a skillet or microwave.
Sweet Apple Chicken Sausage Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 60 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 2.3g
- Protein: 9.6g
- Fat: 1.3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.2g
- Sodium: 23mg
- Sugar: 1.6g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Yes, you can bake them. Place the patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until cooked through and lightly browned.
Ground turkey is an excellent substitute for ground chicken in this recipe. The cooking time and instructions would remain the same.
Yes, they are fantastic for meal prep. You can cook a full batch at the beginning of the week and have a quick, healthy protein source ready for breakfast or lunch for the next few days.
Try More Recipes:
- Trader Joe’s Pollo Asado Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Artichoke Pasta Sauce Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Tikka Masala Sauce Recipe
Trader Joe’s Sweet Apple Chicken Sausage Recipe
Course: BreakfastCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy11
servings10
minutes10
minutes60
kcalHomemade sweet and savory chicken and apple sausage patties, perfectly spiced and ready in minutes for a healthy breakfast.
Ingredients
1 lb ground chicken
1 cup diced apple
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tbsp oil
Salt and pepper
Directions
- In a bowl, combine ground chicken, apple, onion, and all spices.
- Form the mixture into 11 equal-sized patties.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Cook patties for 5 minutes on one side.
- Flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes until browned and cooked through.
Notes
- If the sausage mixture is too sticky to handle, wet your hands with a little water before forming the patties.
- For the juiciest sausages, use ground chicken that is not overly lean (e.g., 93/7).
- These patties can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for a quick breakfast during the week.
- Finely dicing the apple and onion ensures they cook through and distribute evenly in the patties.
