Get a home-cooked, elevated dinner on the table FAST with this 20-minute chicken sausage apple skillet! There really is magic in the simplicity of this recipe, and it’s the perfect use for chicken sausage, along with sweet apples and onion. A quick, one-pot dinner that feels extra special, while being so easy to make.
Chicken Sausage + Apples = The Perfect Flavor Combo
Chicken + apples equals a delightful flavor pairing if there ever was one, and these simple ingredients really shine when combined together.
Case in point: my 5-ingredient slow cooker apple chicken is always a winner, as is my chicken & apple skillet recipe, so why not keep the party going and create an apple and chicken sausage combo?!
And, I don’t know about you, but I pretty much always have pre-cooked Trader Joe’s or Aidells chicken apple sausage on hand for those nights I didn’t plan ahead and need dinner on the table ASAP.
But, sometimes chicken sausage needs a bit of zhuzhing up – so for this weeknight win I combined perfectly seared and slightly caramelized slices of sausage with sauteed onion and apples in a super simple pan sauce that’s seriously addicting.
One note that I feel bears repeating for this recipe in particular – apple chicken sausage does have a tendency to burn very easily. For this reason, I recommend having your apples and onions sliced and ready to go before you start cooking. Then don’t walk away from the sausages while they saute. Once you add the apples and onions you should be good to go.
Ok, now hear me when I say this one is really, really simple — I really mean it. Once the sausage is cooked and set aside, saute the apples and onions, add chicken stock and seasonings, then at the end splash in some cream and apple cider vinegar. Voila!
While apple chicken sausage is a great option for this recipe, it also works with other pre-cooked chicken sausage flavors – it will just add some more flavor fun to this stovetop meal.
This meal is seriously so good, you’ll be licking the last bits of sauce out of the pan. And while crusty bread, rolls or rice are great options for serving, I highly recommend pairing this one with my weeknight garlic bread. Trust me, your family will absolutely be singing your praises.
Make It Dairy Free
This chicken sausage apple skillet is easy to make dairy free by using unsweetened, unflavored dairy free creamer. Dairy free half and half could also be used, but the sauce won’t be as thick. Or, you could leave the cream out, but of course, it won’t be as creamy.
Welcome to My Kitchen! Let’s Make Chicken Sausage & Apple Skillet
Magic Chicken Sausage & Apples (20-Minute Dinner!)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 6 pre-cooked chicken apple sausages, sliced into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 medium sweet-crisp apples, cored and cut into ¼ inch thick slices such as Fuji, Gala, or Braeburn
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic powder
- ¾ cup reduced sodium chicken stock
To Add at the End
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- ¼ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Heat a large 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the chicken sausage. Cook until browned on both sides, about 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- To the same pan, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter along with the onion, apples, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Sprinkle the apple-onion mixture with the garlic powder and black pepper, stirring to combine. Add the chicken sausage back to the pan along with the chicken stock, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the stock reduces by half, about 5 minutes.
- Add the cream to the pan and cook until the sauce has thickened slightly, about 2 minutes. Stir in the vinegar and taste, adjusting the seasoning if desired. Serve the chicken sausages and apple-onion sauce sprinkled with chives, if desired.
Notes
- Optional topping: any chopped soft fresh herbs, but especially chives.
- One note that I feel bears repeating – apple chicken sausage does have a tendency to burn very easily. For this reason, I recommend having your apples and onions sliced and ready to go before you start cooking. Then don’t walk away from the sausages while they saute. Once you add the apples and onions you should be good to go.
- I tested this recipe with Trader Joe’s apple chicken sausage as well as Aidells chicken apple sausage. Trader Joe’s includes sugar in the sausage, so can burn really easily, so keep an eye on that.
- You want a pre-cooked chicken sausage for this recipe. The number of sausages in a pack can vary, and the exact number you use is up to you. I found 6 was about the right number to feed 4 people, but feel free to adjust that number up or down depending on what you have and how many people you’re feeding.
Nutrition
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