Learn how to cook chicken sausage 5 ways! Cooking chicken sausage is easy, and you can do it in the oven, stove, grill, air fryer, or microwave. Wondering how long do you cook chicken sausage? Cook chicken sausage in the oven for 15 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200C). This is for precooked chicken sausage. Raw chicken sausage needs a longer bake time to reach the safe chicken sausage internal temp of 165F (74C).
Have you ever wondered how to cook chicken sausages? Today I’ll teach you how to cook chicken Italian sausage or your favorite chicken sausage. This includes Trader Joe’s chicken sausage, Aidells, Applegate, Alfresco, and more.
We’ll start with how to cook chicken sausage links that are precooked. This is the type of chicken sausage you'll most commonly see in US stores. After that, you’ll learn how to bake chicken sausage that is raw (Premio brand), so you can safely prepare all types of chicken sausages.
Jump to:
- 📖 Recipe
- 💭 Expert Tips from a Dietitian
- 🔥 How to Cook Chicken Sausage in Oven
- ➕ How to Cook Chicken Sausage (Air Fryer)
- 🐔 How to Cook Chicken Sausage on Stove
- ♨️ How to Cook Chicken Sausage in Microwave
- 🍗 How to Cook Chicken Sausage on Grill
- 🍳 How to Cook Raw Chicken Sausage on Stove
- 😋 How to Cook Raw Chicken Sausage in Oven
- 🤔 How do you know when chicken sausage is cooked?
- 🌭 Do you cook chicken sausage in casing?
- 🌡️ How to Store Chicken Sausages
- FAQs
- 👨🍳 What to Cook Chicken Sausage With
- 💬 Comments
📖 Recipe
Watch How to Make It!
How to Cook Chicken Sausage (in Oven, Stove, Grill, or Air Fryer)
Ingredients
- 1 package chicken sausage (pre-cooked or raw)
- 2 tablespoons oil (only needed for cooking raw chicken sausage)
Instructions
- How to cook chicken sausage in oven: Preheat the oven to 400℉ (200℃). Put pre-cooked sausage on a light cookie sheet on a rack ⅓ down from the top of the preheated oven. Bake for 15 minutes.How to cook raw chicken sausage in oven: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Put about 1 lb of raw chicken sausage (454g) on a rimmed metal baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the sausage. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping after 15 minutes. Make sure safe internal temp of 165°F (74°C) is reached using a meat thermometer.
- How to cook chicken sausage in air fryer: Air fry precooked sausage for 6-8 minutes in an air fryer set to 400°F (200°C). You don’t need to preheat the air fryer or flip the sausages.
- How to cook chicken sausage on stove: Add ½-inch (1.27 cm) water and the pre-cooked chicken sausage links to a cast iron skillet. Cover the pan, and simmer the sausages for 8-10 minutes on medium low. Next, remove the lid, drain the water, and brown the sausages over medium low, turning occasionally. How to cook raw chicken sausage on stove: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken sausages for 5-6 minutes per side, until the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is reached.
- How to microwave chicken sausage: Microwave precooked chicken sausage on high for 3 minutes, then let stand for 1-2 minutes before eating. I don’t recommend this method, as the sausage won’t brown.
- How to grill chicken sausage: Put pre-cooked chicken sausage on a greased grill over medium low heat until hot (approximately 8-10 minutes). Turn the sausages frequently so they’ll brown evenly on all sides.
Notes
💭 Expert Tips from a Dietitian
This is a level 1 recipe (may help support fat loss). Are chicken sausages healthy? Is chicken sausage as bad as regular sausage? In general, chicken sausages and turkey sausages contain less fat and calories than regular pork sausage, and they’re a good source of protein. However, it is important to note that some chicken sausages may still be high in sodium and other additives. So, while chicken sausages can be a healthy choice, it is important to read the nutrition information carefully if you need a low sodium option. Additionally, some chicken sausages are minimally processed while others are highly processed or ultra-processed foods. Another downside of chicken sausage is that it tends to be drier than pork sausage due to the lower fat content. It’s important not to overcook chicken sausages to prevent them from becoming too dry. Nutrition information is for one Marketside apple chicken sausage (Walmart brand). Nutrition info varies depending on the brand of chicken sausage you use.
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don't sweat the numbers too much.
Nutrition
🔥 How to Cook Chicken Sausage in Oven
How long to cook chicken sausage in oven at 400? Cooking chicken sausage in the oven takes 15 minutes at 400F (200C). Put your oven chicken sausage on a light cookie sheet on a rack ⅓ down from the top of the preheated oven.
How do you cook sausages in the oven with foil?
Wondering how to cook chicken sausage in the oven with foil? Preheat the oven to 400F (200C) and place the precooked chicken sausages in a foil packet. Cooking chicken sausage in oven in foil takes 20-25 minutes, and doesn’t give you the nice browning you get when you skip the foil.
➕ How to Cook Chicken Sausage (Air Fryer)
How long does it take to cook chicken sausage in the air fryer? It takes 6-8 minutes in an air fryer set to 400F (200C) to cook chicken sausage. You don’t need to preheat the air fryer or flip the sausages.
I think air frying is the best way to cook chicken sausage because it’s fast and browns the sausages nicely. The microwave is the fastest way to cook sausage, but you don’t get the browning you do with an air fryer.
If you’re using an air fryer oven, use the top rack position. The sausages took 8 minutes in my air fryer oven, and 6 minutes in my small air fryer basket.
🐔 How to Cook Chicken Sausage on Stove
Next, we have how to cook chicken sausage in water, or braised chicken sausages. Add ½-inch (1.27 cm) water and the chicken sausage links to a cast iron skillet. Cover the pan, and simmer the sausages for 8-10 minutes on medium low.
Next, remove the lid, drain the water, and brown the sausages over medium low, turning occasionally. It will only take a few minutes. This is how to cook chicken sausage in a pan that’s heated through, with nice browning.
How long to boil chicken sausage?
I don’t recommend boiling chicken sausage here because it won’t brown. If you must, you can bring the water to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, and boil sausages for 10-12 minutes. If you want to try cooking sausages in a pan, I recommend the braising method above instead.
♨️ How to Cook Chicken Sausage in Microwave
You can microwave chicken sausage on high for 3 minutes, then let stand for 1-2 minutes before eating. I don’t recommend this method, as the sausage won’t brown.
🍗 How to Cook Chicken Sausage on Grill
Now we’re onto how to grill chicken sausage. Put sausages on a greased grill over medium low heat until hot (approximately 8-10 minutes). Turn the grilled chicken sausage frequently so it’ll brown evenly on all sides.
🍳 How to Cook Raw Chicken Sausage on Stove
We’ve covered how to cook precooked chicken sausage, so now let’s cover cooking raw chicken sausage. To cook raw chicken sausage on the stovetop, heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken sausages for 5-6 minutes per side, until it reaches the safe chicken sausage temperature of 165F (74C).
Let the chicken sausages rest for a few minutes before serving. Note: cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken sausages. It's always a good idea to check their internal temperature to ensure they are fully cooked.
😋 How to Cook Raw Chicken Sausage in Oven
Next up is how to bake chicken sausage. Preheat oven to 400F (200C). Put about 1 lb of raw chicken sausage (454g) in a rimmed metal baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the sausage.
How long to bake chicken sausage? Baked chicken sausage takes 25-30 minutes at 400F (200C) when cooked from raw. After baking the chicken sausage for 15 minutes, flip them for even browning. I prefer to use a lower oven rack for this recipe.
🤔 How do you know when chicken sausage is cooked?
How do you tell if sausages are done? The most reliable way to check chicken sausage for doneness is to use a meat thermometer. The safe chicken sausage internal temp is 165 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA).
Can chicken sausage be a little pink?
Yes, remember that color is not a good indicator of doneness for meat and poultry. Checking the internal temperature is the best way to make sure chicken sausage is done.
🌭 Do you cook chicken sausage in casing?
Yes, you can cook chicken sausage in its casing; I never peel chicken sausage before cooking. The casing helps the sausage keep its shape and prevents the filling from falling out. The casing is usually made from natural or synthetic materials and is edible, so it can be left on during cooking.
🌡️ How to Store Chicken Sausages
Store leftover chicken sausages in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It is important to refrigerate the sausages promptly after cooking and cooling. To store the sausages, place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
If you are not planning to eat the leftover chicken sausages within four days, you can freeze them for longer storage. Keep cooked chicken sausages frozen for up to two months. To freeze the sausages, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place them in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag.
When reheating leftover chicken sausages, be sure to heat them to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving. You can thaw chicken sausages in the fridge for 24 hours before reheating.
FAQs
Can you cook chicken sausages from frozen?
Yes, you can cook chicken sausages from frozen, but it will take longer than cooking them from fresh. To make frozen sausages in the oven, preheat the oven to 375F (190C). Place the frozen sausages on a baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, turning them over halfway through the cooking time.
Are chicken sausages ready to eat?
Can we eat chicken sausage without cooking? According to the USDA, sausages are sold either uncooked or ready to eat. If the chicken sausages are not fully cooked, they need to be cooked thoroughly by grilling, baking, or pan-frying before eating.
Can you cook chicken sausages in slow cooker?
Yes, you can make slow cooker chicken sausages. However, it’s not recommended to cook frozen chicken sausage in a crockpot because the sausages may not reach a safe temperature quickly enough to kill any harmful bacteria present. Slow cooker recipes are designed to cook food slowly at a low temperature, which may not be sufficient to thaw frozen food quickly.
Is Johnsonville chicken sausage precooked?
Yes, the varieties of Johnsonville chicken sausage I’m familiar with are pre-cooked. The packaging of the sausage should indicate whether it is fully cooked or raw.
Are the chicken sausages from Costco precooked?
Yes, all of the Costco chicken sausages I'm aware of are pre-cooked. However, you may find a specific product that is raw. The packaging of the sausage should indicate whether it is pre-cooked or raw.
How to make chicken sausage?
Find my delicious recipe for how to prepare chicken sausage from scratch here: Homemade Sausage with Chicken and Feta. This chicken sausage recipe uses a mixture of chicken thighs and chicken breasts and has amazing flavor.
👨🍳 What to Cook Chicken Sausage With
Pre-cooked sausages are perfect to add to an Italian feast with pasta dishes, air fryer spaghetti Bolognese, and air fryer garlic bread. I also like air fryer chicken sausage with mashed potatoes for gluten-free carbohydrates.
Alternatively, you can make it a low carb meal by adding vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, broccoli, and spinach.
Here are a few recipes with chicken sausage:
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Hello! I'm Summer, a registered dietitian and home chef who loves to cook, eat, and create high quality content for you! Every recipe on this site has been tested by me to help ensure your success in the kitchen. All eaters are welcome here 🙂
Beverly J Coleman says
Can you cook them by boiling
Summer Yule says
Yes, you can! If they're raw, they can take 15-30 minutes to fully cook depending on the size, and they won't brown.