How to cook chicken sausage in the oven, on the stove, or in an air fryer. Three easy ways to prepare pre-cooked sausage for an easy weeknight dinner.

How to Cook Chicken Sausage and ingredients


 

Chicken sausage is one of those super simple dishes that can be paired with just about anything for a quick and easy dinner on a busy weeknight. It usually comes pre-cooked so all you really have to do is add a little heat and toss it with some veggies and you have a full meal in under 30 minutes!

Here is everything you need to know about chicken sausage and how to make chicken sausage in 3 different ways.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Thank you!

How to Cook Chicken Sausage ingredients

Ingredients You’ll Need

Chicken Sausage!

While you can find uncooked chicken sausage at the grocery store most often it is found in pre-cooked sausage links in the same area you will find hot dogs and other pre-cooked sausages.

The three most common brands in our area are Alfresco, Gilbert’s, and Aidells. They each make several different flavors of chicken sausage and most of them are keto-friendly! I always use Aidells Chicken and Apple smoked chicken sausage to make my Sheet Pan Sausage and Cabbage.

What Is Chicken Sausage?

Chicken sausage is a type of sausage made from chicken meat. It is often flavored with spices and herbs and can be used in a variety of recipes. Chicken sausage is a healthier alternative to pork sausage, making it a popular choice for those who are health-conscious.

How to Cook Pre-cooked Chicken Sausage

Pre-cooked sausage is easy to cook! Since it is already fully cooked you just need to add some heat to get a nice sear on the outside and warm the sausage all the way through.

The 3 easiest ways to get perfectly cooked chicken sausage are cooking it on the stove, in the oven, or in an air fryer.

How to Cook Chicken Sausage in a skillet

Chicken Sausage on the Stove

Cooking chicken sausage on the stove is a quick and easy option.

Step 1 – Heat the skillet. Heat a little bit of olive oil in a large skillet or cast iron frying pan over medium-high heat.

Step 2 – Cook. Once the pan is hot add the chicken sausage to the pan and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are browned on all sides and heated through. Serve with your favorite vegetables or pasta.

How to Cook Chicken Sausage with vegetables in the oven

Chicken Sausage in the Oven

If you’re looking to cook chicken sausage in the oven, it’s best to start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 1 – Prepare the baking sheet. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper and place the chicken sausage on top.

Optional: We like to add some chunks of broccoli and red bell pepper to the sheet pan to make it a full meal. Toss the veggies in a little olive oil and sprinkle with salt and black pepper before adding them to the baking sheet. You can nestle the sausage right into the veggies.

Step 2 – Bake. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the sausage is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Serve hot and enjoy!

How to Cook Chicken Sausage in the air fryer

Chicken Sausage in the Air Fryer

Cooking chicken sausage in the air fryer is a great option that gives you great flavor and texture with very little clean-up.

Step 1 – Preheat air fryer. Start by preheating your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2 – Cook. Place the chicken sausage in the air fryer basket and cook for 6 minutes, or until heated through and browned on the outside. Serve with some green beans or a salad for a quick and easy low-carb meal.

How Healthy Is Chicken Sausage?

Chicken sausage is a healthier alternative to pork sausage. It is lower in fat, cholesterol, and sodium than pork sausage. Chicken sausage is also a good source of protein and is a great option for those who are looking for a keto or gluten-free option.

Saute some vegetables such as broccoli, onions, and red and green bell peppers, while the sausage cooks or, if you’re making it in the oven, cook them right alongside the sausage for a healthy dinner

Is Chicken Sausage Fully Cooked?

Some chicken sausages are fully cooked, while others are not. If you’re not sure whether yours is fully cooked or not, it’s always best to check the label or ask the butcher.

Our recipe is for fully-cooked chicken sausage. If yours is not fully cooked, make sure to cook it until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure that it is safe to eat.

What is the Best Temperature to Cook Sausages?

The best temperature to cook sausages is 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures that they cook evenly and are warmed all the way through.

How Long Does it Take to Cook Chicken Sausage?

The cooking time for chicken sausage will vary depending on the cooking method and whether the sausage is fully cooked or not. On the stove, chicken sausage typically takes 8-10 minutes to cook. In the oven, it takes 15 minutes, and in the air fryer, it takes 6 minutes.

How to Cook Chicken Sausage on a sheet pan with chopped veggies

How to Store

Store leftover chicken sausage in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days. You can also freeze cooked chicken sausage for up to 3 months.

How to Reheat

To reheat chicken sausage, you can use the stove, oven, or microwave.

To reheat on the stove, heat a little bit of olive oil in a pan over medium heat, add the sausage, and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until heated through.

To reheat in the oven, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, place the sausage on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake for 10-12 minutes.

To reheat in the microwave, place the sausage on a microwave-safe plate and heat on high for 30-60

Looking for More Easy Sausage Recipes?

Like this recipe?
Make sure to follow us on Instagram and Pinterest for more recipes like this.

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

How to Cook Chicken Sausage – 3 Ways

How to cook chicken sausage in the oven, on the stove, or in an air fryer. Three easy ways to prepare pre-cooked sausage for an easy weeknight dinner.
How to Cook Chicken Sausage in the oven with vegetables
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Ingredients

  • 4 Chicken Sausages

Instructions

Chicken Sausage on the Stove

  • Heat a little bit of olive oil in a large skillet or cast iron frying pan over medium-high heat.
  • Once the pan is hot add the chicken sausage to the pan and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are browned on all sides and heated through.
  • Remove from the skillet and serve with your favorite vegetables or pasta.

Chicken Sausage in the Oven

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper and place the chicken sausage on top.
  • Optional: We like to add some chunks of broccoli and red bell pepper to the sheet pan to make it a full meal. Toss the veggies in a little olive oil and sprinkle with salt and black pepper before adding them to the baking sheet. You can nestle the sausage right into the veggies.
  • Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the sausage is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Serve hot and enjoy!

Chicken Sausage in the Air Fryer

  • Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Place the chicken sausage in the air fryer basket and cook for 6 minutes, or until heated through and browned on the outside.
  • Remove from air fryer and serve with some green beans or a salad for a quick and easy low-carb meal.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sausage, Calories: 170kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 60mg, Sodium: 870mg, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 300IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition Disclaimer: We are not certified nutritionists. Nutrition facts are an estimate and are provided as a courtesy. They are generated by an online API which recognizes ingredient names and amounts and makes calculations based on the serving size. Results may vary.
Author: Kat Jeter & Melinda Caldwell
Course: Main
Cuisine: American
Keyword: how to cook chicken sausage
Handwritten signature for Kat & Melinda