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Making your own Chicken Italian Sausage is an easy and budget-friendly way to add variety to your weekly meals. With simple pantry staples and boneless, skinless chicken breast, you can whip up a flavorful sausage that’s perfect for pasta dishes, pizzas, and soups. This recipe is also ideal for home cooks looking to be frugal while providing a range of delicious protein options for their family.
Why Make Your Own Chicken Italian Sausage?
This week, boneless, skinless chicken breast was on sale for $1.99 per pound. It was the perfect opportunity to stock up and create versatile meals. Instead of buying pre-made sausage, I turned this affordable protein into flavorful Italian sausage. Making your own not only saves money but also lets you control the ingredients and adjust the flavors to suit your family’s taste.
I also made a batch of breakfast sausage perfect for morning meals. (You can find my Chicken Breakfast Sausage Recipe here).
Chicken Italian Sausage Recipe
This recipe is straightforward, using pantry staples to create a sausage that’s as tasty as it is versatile.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground chicken (or grind your own from chicken breast) (I use this KitchenAid attachment)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil (I used avocado oil for a richer flavor)
- 1 Tbsp dried parsley
- 2 tsp fennel seed
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp white pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly until the spices are evenly distributed.
- For best results, refrigerate the mixture for at least 8 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
- Divide into desired portions and freeze for future use. I like to make 5-pound batches, mixing everything by hand, and then weighing and dividing it into freezer bags.
Tips for Making the Best Chicken Italian Sausage
- Mix Thoroughly: Ensure the spices are evenly incorporated to achieve consistent flavor in every bite.
- Adjust the Spice Level: If you prefer a little heat, consider adding crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne.
- Use a Food Processor: If you’re grinding chicken breast at home, a food processor works wonderfully. Simply cut the chicken into chunks and pulse until finely ground.
- Portioning for Convenience: Divide the sausage into portions that suit your meal planning, such as 1-pound packages for family meals or smaller sizes for individual recipes.
Creative Ways to Use Chicken Italian Sausage
Once you’ve made your sausage, the possibilities are endless. Here are some of my favorite ways to use it:
- Pasta Dishes: Crumble and brown the sausage to pair with marinara sauce and your favorite pasta.
- Pizza Topping: Add cooked sausage to homemade or store-bought pizza for a flavorful protein boost.
- Stuffed Peppers: Use the sausage as a filling for bell peppers, mixed with rice and marinara sauce.
- Soups: Italian sausage adds depth to soups like minestrone or a hearty vegetable stew.
Why This Recipe Is Perfect for Frugal Cooks
Making your own sausage from ground chicken is far more economical than buying pre-packaged versions. When you catch chicken breast on sale, it becomes an even better deal. By creating multiple batches at once and freezing them, you save time and money while ensuring your family always has a variety of meals on hand.
The spices used in this recipe are common pantry staples, meaning you likely have everything you need without an extra trip to the store. Plus, adjusting the flavors to your liking is as simple as adding a bit more of your favorite seasoning.
Conclusion
This Chicken Italian Sausage recipe is a game-changer for frugal home cooks. It’s simple, cost-effective, and packed with flavor. Whether you’re adding it to pasta, stuffing peppers, or using it as a pizza topping, this versatile recipe is sure to become a staple in your meal planning.
Let me know how you use your homemade Italian sausage in the comments below, and don’t forget to share your photos with me on social media. Happy cooking!
