Sheet Pan Chicken Apple Sausage Dinner with Balsamic Glaze & Pecans
If you’re anything like me, you know that some nights you just want a dinner that’s quick, delicious, and easy to clean up. That’s why I absolutely love this Chicken Apple Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner! It's a healthy, budget-friendly meal that’s ready in about 30 minutes and has become my go-to for busy weeknights when I need something nutritious with minimal prep and without all effort. It's the perfect option when I'm looking to meal prep some healthy meals for not just dinner that night, but for the rest of the week too.
The addition of crisp apple flavors from the chicken apple sausage, crunchy pecans, and a tangy balsamic glaze is what elevates this recipe. It pairs beautifully with roasted Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes, creating a delightful medley of flavors I know you're going to love!
You might also like my: Persian Sheet Pan Meal and Ginger & Soy Sheet Pan Meal
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Ingredients + Substitutions!
Here’s everything you need to make this delicious sheet pan meal, with easy swaps if you don’t have a particular ingredient on hand!
12 oz apple chicken sausage, sliced (I used Applegate Organics Chicken & Apple Sausage, but any chicken, turkey, or plant-based sausage works!)
2 cups sweet potatoes, cubed (or use butternut squash or Yukon gold potatoes)
2 cups Brussels sprouts, halved (swap with broccoli florets or green beans)
1/2 red onion, sliced (yellow onion or shallots are great alternatives)
3 tablespoons olive oil (avocado oil also works well here)
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (or try apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar)
2 tablespoons fresh thyme (rosemary is a nice substitute)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/4 cup chopped pecans (use walnuts or sunflower seeds if you prefer)
Balsamic glaze, for drizzling
Equipment I Used in This Recipe:
Sheet Pan: Not just great for baking, roasting, and all things in the oven, this genius sheet pan also works as a stovetop griddle over two burners.
Silicone Baking Mat: Toxin-free silicone mats. I love that I can use these over and over again, it makes cleanup SO easy!
How to Make Chicken Apple Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner
This sheet pan meal comes together in a few easy steps:
1. Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet with a silicone baking mat (or parchment paper/foil if you prefer).
2. Add the sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, red onion, and sliced apple chicken sausage to the sheet pan.
3. Drizzle the olive oil and balsamic vinegar over everything, then sprinkle with garlic powder, fresh thyme, salt, and pepper. Toss everything directly on the sheet pan until evenly coated.
4. Spread everything into an even layer and roast for 25–30 minutes, stirring halfway through so the veggies caramelize and cook evenly.
5. In the last 5 minutes of roasting, sprinkle the chopped pecans on top to toast lightly.
6. Remove from the oven and drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.
7. Serve as-is or over cooked rice or quinoa, or portion into meal prep containers for the week.
My Favorite Tips to Save Time! (Meal Prep & Budget Tips)
This sheet pan meal is not only quick to cook but also incredibly easy to prepare. Here are a few tricks I use to make the process even simpler:
Save time by picking up pre-cut sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and sliced onions at the grocery store. This can cut your chopping time in half!
Line the baking sheet with parchment paper or foil to make cleanup as quick as possible.
Start preheating your oven while you prep the ingredients. That way, everything is ready to go as soon as you're done prepping.
Using fully cooked chicken sausage saves time and reduces the cooking time since you only need to heat and caramelize it.
If you’re prepping for the week, double this recipe and roast everything on two sheet pans. It’s a great option for having meals on hand for the next few days.
What Should I Pair with This Sheet Pan Meal?
Wondering what to serve with this meal? Here are a few suggestions!
A simple salad with mixed greens, a light vinaigrette, and a few slices of fresh apple or dried cranberries brings a freshness to the meal.
Serve with a slice of whole-grain crusty bread or a warm dinner roll to soak up any extra balsamic glaze.
For an even more filling meal, serve alongside mashed potatoes or creamy mashed cauliflower.
Serve it with a side of perfectly Fluffy Rice or light, protein-rich Quinoa for a balanced, satisfying meal.
FAQs
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Absolutely! While the chicken apple sausage adds a signature sweet flavor, you can swap it for turkey sausage, ground chicken, or a plant-based sausage based on your personal preference or dietary needs. For the best flavor, I recommend using pre-cooked links like Applegate Chicken Apple Sausage or Aidells.
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Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you enjoy meal prepping, this is a great weeknight recipe to make ahead and enjoy the next day!
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Feel free to get creative! You can substitute Brussels sprouts with broccoli, green beans, or cauliflower. For sweet potatoes, butternut squash or Yukon gold potatoes work well as substitutions. Green onions make excellent garnishes and great additions to the dish!
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Absolutely! Adding some parmesan cheese or monterey jack cheese on top during the last few minutes of baking can really elevate the flavors of the dish and add a yummy cheesiness!
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I use both because they perform different jobs that elevate the entire meal:
Balsamic Vinegar vs. Glaze: I use the regular vinegar first to season the vegetables and help them tenderize while roasting. I save the thick, sweet glaze for drizzling at the end. It adds a rich, tangy caramelization that really sets my recipe apart.
The Pecans: They are included primarily for texture! Since the sausage and vegetables are soft once roasted, adding the toasted pecans introduces a satisfying, necessary crunch, making the final dish much more complex and appealing.n
I hope you try this easy dinner recipe out for yourself! I’d love to hear how yours turns out, feel free to share your thoughts or any adjustments you make in the comments below. Happy cooking!
Apple Chicken Sausage Sheet Pan Meal
Ingredients
- 12 oz apple chicken sausage, sliced
- 2 cups sweet potatoes, cubed
- 2 cups Brussels sprouts, halved
- 1/2 red onion, sliced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- Balsamic glaze, for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
- Add the sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and red onion.
- Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, then sprinkle with garlic powder, fresh thyme, salt, and pepper. Toss well to coat evenly.
- Place the sliced chicken sausage on the sheet pan and spread the seasoned vegetables around it in a single layer.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the vegetables are tender and caramelized.
- During the last 5 minutes of roasting, sprinkle the chopped pecans over the sheet pan to lightly toast.
- Drizzle the roasted sausage and vegetables with balsamic glaze.
- Serve over the cooked rice, quinoa or portion into meal prep containers!
