Description

This easy homemade Italian chicken sausage combines ground chicken with garlic, fennel, oregano, sweet paprika, and black pepper for that classic Italian sausage flavor — no casings and no shaping needed. A simple cooking technique creates rustic pieces with flavorful, caramelized edges and juicy, tender centers, giving you the taste and texture of sausage without having to make or buy sausage links. Perfect for breakfast, topping creamy vegetable soups, adding to salads and bowls, or enjoying as a savory protein snack.

Ingredients

1 lb (400-450 g) ground chicken (see notes)
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, lightly crushed
1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, for cooking

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Instructions

Add the ground chicken, garlic, salt, fennel seeds, paprika, oregano, and freshly ground pepper to a bowl. Mix until the seasonings are evenly incorporated. Cover and refrigerate for about 1 hour to allow the flavors to develop.
Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat. If using stainless steel, preheat the empty pan well before adding the olive oil.
Using a tablespoon, scoop heaping spoonfuls of the chicken mixture and use a second spoon to release them directly into the hot pan. There’s no need to shape them—the irregular, rustic pieces are intentional.
Cook for about 5–7 minutes, or until golden on the first side, then flip and cook until golden on the other side.
Using the edge of a sturdy spatula, break the larger pieces into smaller, bite-sized chunks. Toss and continue cooking until golden in spots and the chicken is completely cooked through.
Serve immediately, or cool and store in a covered glass container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheat when needed. Freeze for longer storage.

Notes

These chicken sausage bites are an easy way to add protein to breakfast alongside eggs, top creamy vegetable soups, complete a salad or grain bowl, or enjoy as a simple savory snack.

Ground chicken package sizes vary by country. I use a 400 g package, while a standard 1 lb package in the US is about 454 g. Either works well for this recipe, and there’s no need to adjust the seasonings for the small difference in quantity. If you use a 1 lb package, just add one extra pinch of salt (very little).