Start your day with a burst of flavor and health benefits by preparing these homemade chicken and apple sausage patties!
Homemade chicken and apple sausage patties are delicious and easy to make. Not only are they packed with protein and antioxidants, but they also offer the delightful sweetness of fresh apples, enhancing both the taste and juiciness.
Perfect for those managing IBD, this recipe allows you to control salt and other additives to keep flare-ups at bay. Plus, they’re ideal for meal prep — cook a batch in advance and treat yourself to a gourmet breakfast experience any day of the week!
What is Chicken Apple Sausage Made of?
This recipe only has 6 ingredients that are all easy to find in the store. Homemade chicken and apple sausage is made of ground chicken, fresh apple, sea salt and a mix of ground spices like sage and cinnamon.
Understanding Store-Bought Sausages: Ingredients and IBD Considerations
Store-bought chicken apple sausage sold in a package may contain pork casing, sweeteners, vinegar, bakign soda or additional salt. Watch out for hidden sources of sugar that may trigger inflammation.
Some food additives are added to help extend the shelf life, or create a desirable texture in processed foods. Meats cooked at high temperatures, such as packaged sausages, can be an unwanted trigger of inflammation. Fattier meats, such as pork products, can be hard to digest and may cause loose stools during a flare.
Packaged sausages may also contain hidden sources of gluten that can aggravate IBD symptoms for some people.
At a Glance: Nutritional Benefits of Chicken Apple Sausage Patties
- Chicken is a lean source of protein. Protein may help during an IBD flare in order to help restore damaged intestinal tissue. One study found sources of animal protein, including poultry, to have no association with the risk of IBD.
- Apples provide antioxidants and a type of fiber called pectin. One study found pectin to be a more tolerable type of fiber for people with IBD. During a flare, eating apples can be easier to digest without their peel, chopped or grated into small pieces, and cooked. This helps reduce their insoluble fiber.
- Spices like cinnamon and sage have polyphenols, which are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Cinnamon can decrease diarrhea and bowel urgency by helping restore the gut microbiome. Sage has been found to have a protective effect against colitis by helping rebuild intestinal tissue and reduce inflammation.
- Avocado oil is pressed from the pulp of avocados. Just like avocados, the oil is a high-quality source of fat. Eating healthy fats helps your body absorb important fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin A, D, E, and K. Avocado oil is rich in Omega-9 unsaturated fats like oleic acid. Oleic acid can help lower inflammation and decrease the risk of cancer.
Is Avocado Oil Good for Cooking?
Avocado oil has a neutral taste which is great for cooking with!
It is also known for having a high smoke point, which means it can handle higher temperatures. When oil gets so hot that it burns, the fats can break down and release molecules called free radicals. An imbalance of free radicals is associated with oxidative stress in the intestines, which can trigger inflammation, tissue damage, and cancer growth.
Some studies have found that the nutritional quality of oils may be more related to the type of fat and polyphenols it contains and less related to its smoke point.

What Do I Serve with Chicken and Apple Sausage?
This chicken and apple sausage patty recipe makes a flavor-packed addition to lots of different dishes.
- As a breakfast protein, chicken apple sausage goes great with eggs! Enjoy with egg-white cups or a vegetable frittata.
- Try adding a patty to a sandwich or pair with cranberry sauce any time of the day.
How to Cook Chicken and Apple Sausage
To prepare the homemade chicken apple sausage patties, first mix together the ground chicken, grated apple, ground sage, cinnamon and salt. Form ½-inch thick patties and place on a parchment lined tray. Chill in the freezer for 10 minutes.
Heat avocado oil in a cast-iron pan to cook the patties. Pan fry each patty for 3-5 minutes on each side, until the chicken is cooked completely through. Cool slightly and serve hot or store in the fridge for later.
How to Reheat Sausage Patties
Here are 3 ways you can reheat your sausage patties without drying them out. You may need to add a little oil or water:
- In the microwave for 45 seconds, covered with a paper towel.
- In the oven or a toaster oven at 325 degrees, covered with aluminum foil for 10-15 minutes.
- Over low-medium heat in a covered pan for 8 minutes.
Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit when you reheat it.

Homemade Chicken and Apple Sausage Patties
Renata Cauchon-Robles and Danielle Gaffen, MS, RDN, LDEquipment
- 1 Mixing Bowl
- 1 Tray parchment lined
- 1 Cast Iron Pan
Ingredients
- 1 lb Extra Lean Ground Chicken
- 1 medium Apple peeled, cored, finely chopped or grated
- 1 tsp Ground Sage
- 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp Sea Salt
- 2 Tbsp Avocado Oil
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, apple, sage, cinnamon, and salt.
- Divide and form the mixture into half-inch thick patties. Place on a parchment-lined tray and chill in the freezer for approximately 10 minutes.
- Heat avocado oil in a large cast-iron pan over medium heat. Fry each sausage patty until cooked through, about 3 to 5 minutes per side.
- Set aside to cool slightly. Enjoy!
Notes
-
Leftovers
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days. -
Serving Size
Each serving equals approximately one sausage patty. -
Additional Toppings
Top with an egg and/or mustard.
Nutrition
Take Home Message
Homemade chicken apple sausage patties are a great balanced protein source. Added spices offer anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. Keep breakfast interesting by adding patties to dishes like eggs or sandwiches.
Want to Explore More?
- Complete your breakfast with a fresh IBD-friendly smoothie
- Learn more about protein-packed foods
References
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- Dietary advice for ulcerative colitis. Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/patient-information-leaflet/dietary-advice-for-ulcerative-colitis. Accessed December 20, 2023.
- Vidal-Lletjós S, Beaumont M, Tomé D, et al. Dietary Protein and Amino Acid Supplementation in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Course: What Impact on the Colonic Mucosa? Nutrients. 2017;9(3):310. doi:10.3390/nu9030310.
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- UT research looks at fiber as a trigger and cure for inflammatory bowel disease. The University of Toledo News. https://news.utoledo.edu/index.php/02_12_2019/ut-research-looks-at-fiber-as-a-trigger-and-cure-for-inflammatory-bowel-disease. Accessed December 20, 2023.
- IBD-friendly ways to enjoy apple season. Everyday Health. https://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/my-health-story/ibd-friendly-ways-to-enjoy-apple-season/. Accessed December 20, 2023.
- Park S-y, Kim YD, Kim MS, Kim K-T, Kim JY. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) water extract improves diarrhea symptoms by changing the gut environment: a randomized controlled trial. Received June 29, 2022; Accepted January 11, 2023.
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- Alemany-Cosme E, Sáez-González E, Moret I, et al. Oxidative Stress in the Pathogenesis of Crohn’s Disease and the Interconnection with Immunological Response, Microbiota, External Environmental Factors, and Epigenetics. Antioxidants. 2021;10(1):64. doi:10.3390/antiox10010064.
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