If you’re anything like me, you come home after a long, busy day and just cannot face a sink piled with pots. Sausage and Apple Skillet Dinner has become my go-to trick for those nights. Crazy easy, barely any cleanup, and somehow it tastes like you spent way more time on it. Way better than grabbing takeout again. Plus, who knew chicken sausage and apples together could basically taste like fall in a pan? Seriously, it’s a flavor match made in comfort food heaven. If you like one-pan dinners, you’ll probably dig this just as much as my favorite keto hamburger and broccoli skillet recipe too.
The Perfect Flavor Combination of Chicken Sausage & Apples
Alright, real talk for a second. The first time I threw sausage in a pan with apples, I kind of thought–huh, is this gonna be weird? But something about slightly sweet, caramelized apples tangled up with juicy, savory sausage just works. The apples break down a bit, soak up the seasonings, and turn all melty. Then you get bites of that herby chicken sausage–big personality. I usually toss in a little onion, maybe a sprinkle of sage if I’m feeling like Julia Child (let’s be honest, most days I’m not). Somehow this mix hits every taste bud spot. The sweet, the salty, a bit tangy from the apples–it tastes a whole lot fancier than it actually is. I swear I could eat the whole skillet myself.
And for the record, the kids don’t even notice they’re eating fruit for dinner. That might be my proudest parenting hack so far.
Quick Cooking Tips for a 20-Minute Dinner
If you’re in a mad rush (honestly, who isn’t), here’s what I do to get dinner on the table in twenty minutes flat. Skip fancy slicing techniques, just cut everything in half-moons or bite-sized chunks. A big nonstick skillet is your friend here, since you’re cranking up the heat and moving stuff around fast. I usually brown the sausage first–gives you those dark, toasty bits. Then slide the apples and onions in with a knob of butter, because butter always wins.
Keep the pan moving! Apples can go from perfect to mush if you walk away for five minutes. And if you like more crisp or more softness, just adjust the time a bit. Add a splash of water or chicken stock if you want a little sauce. Or don’t. It’s super flexible. This meal absolutely does not need to be complicated.
“I tried this for my family and we legit scraped the pan clean. Even my picky youngest(!) went back for seconds. Will 100% make again.”
– Leslie, St. Louis
Essential Ingredients for Your Chicken Sausage & Apple Skillet
Here’s what you really need on hand (not counting salt and pepper, cause come on).
- Chicken sausage (go for your fave, I like one with a little garlic)
- Apples (I like Gala or Honeycrisp for that bit of tart-sweet bite)
- Onion (yellow or red, whatever’s rolling around in your pantry)
- A little butter or olive oil (adds that glorious sauté flavor)
- Optional extras: fresh thyme, dash of cinnamon, or handful of spinach (if you want to sneak in some greens)
Trust me, nothing complicated. All these are easy to snag at any store, even on a Monday.
Variations and Substitutions You Can Try
Okay, so maybe you don’t have every single ingredient. Or you just want to shake things up. No rules here. Beef sausage works great if you’re not feeling chicken. Pork sausage amps up the richness, obviously. Pears can totally swap in for apples if you have a few getting soft on the counter. Sometimes I’ll toss in a handful of brussels sprouts or thinly sliced sweet potatoes for something earthier. If you’re dairy-free, skip the butter and use whatever cooking oil you like. Oh–and if you want a little zing, a splash of apple cider vinegar at the end brightens everything up. You can get wild with herbs too. Sage and thyme are a classic, but rosemary is a fun twist. Seriously, this is the kind of meal that changes based on whatever you’ve got lurking around in your fridge.
Meal Prep Ideas for Busy Weeknights
Honestly, I’m a huge fan of prepping a few of the ingredients in advance. Here are a few bulletproof ways to make your Sausage and Apple Skillet Dinner even faster:
- Slice the sausage and apples in the morning, keep ’em in separate containers in the fridge.
- Portion out your seasonings in a tiny bowl so you can just dump them in.
- Double the batch and pack leftovers for lunch. They taste even better microwaved, weirdly enough.
- Toss in some best one pan taco zucchini skillet for variety during the week.
That’s it, no complicated meal prepping nonsense. Just a little planning and weeknight dinners are suddenly way less stressful.
Common Questions
Can I use regular pork or beef sausage instead of chicken?
Absolutely, just use what you like best. Cooking time will stay about the same.
Which apples work best?
I like Honeycrisp or Gala for a little sweetness, but Granny Smith works too if you want a bit of tart.
Is this good for leftovers?
Yes! Leftovers reheat like a dream. Just pop in the microwave or heat in a pan.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Definitely. Just skip the butter and use olive oil or whatever you prefer.
How can I make this more filling?
Serve over rice, quinoa, or even spoon onto toast for an open-faced sandwich vibe.
The Easiest, Coziest Dinner for Real Life
Sausage and Apple Skillet Dinner honestly makes me look like a five-star restaurant chef (even on nights I’m in pajamas). It’s fast, super flexible, and makes your kitchen smell ridiculous in the best way. If you’re hunting for new weeknight staples, I can’t recommend this – and other easy meals like this Sweet Potato Apple Sausage Skillet – enough. Nights when cooking feels like a chore, this is my secret move. And if you’re curious about mixing up your skillet game, check out this killer Keto Hamburger and Broccoli Skillet recipe too. Give it a try, experiment a little, and trust your tastebuds. Happy skillet-dinner-ing!
Sausage and Apple Skillet Dinner
A quick and easy one-pan dinner featuring chicken sausage and caramelized apples that tastes like fall in a pan.
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 4 chicken sausages
- 2 large apples (Gala or Honeycrisp)
- 1 onion (yellow or red)
- 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- Optional: fresh thyme, dash of cinnamon, or handful of spinach
Instructions
- In a large nonstick skillet, brown the sliced chicken sausage over medium heat.
- Add chopped apples and onion to the skillet with the butter.
- Keep the mixture moving to avoid apples becoming mushy; adjust cooking time for crispness.
- If desired, add a splash of water or chicken stock for some sauce.
- Season with thyme, cinnamon, or any preferred herbs before serving.
Notes
For meal prep, slice sausages and apples in advance. Store seasonings in a bowl for quick addition during cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Paleo
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 60mg