Spiced Apple Kale Chicken Bake (Printable)
Hearty chicken sausage with apple, kale and spices baked for a comforting, flavorful fall dinner.
# What You'll Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 4 chicken sausages (about 12–14 oz), sliced into 3/4-inch rounds
→ Vegetables & Fruit
02 - 2 large apples, cored and sliced
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
04 - 4 cups curly kale, stemmed and roughly chopped
05 - 2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, diced (optional for a heartier dish)
→ Spices & Seasonings
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
11 - 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
12 - Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Liquids
13 - 1/4 cup chicken broth or apple cider
# How to Make It:
01 - Set oven to 400°F and allow to preheat while preparing ingredients.
02 - In a large bowl, toss chicken sausage rounds, apple slices, onion, kale, and potatoes with olive oil, cinnamon, nutmeg, smoked paprika, dried thyme, chili flakes, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
03 - Transfer mixture to a large baking dish or sheet pan, spreading ingredients into a single even layer.
04 - Pour chicken broth or apple cider evenly over the arranged mixture.
05 - Bake for 35–40 minutes, stirring mixture halfway through, until chicken sausages are golden, apples are tender, and kale edges are crisp.
06 - Serve immediately, spooning pan juices over each portion.
# Expert Hacks:
01 -
- Uses only basic pantry ingredients for maximum flavor
- Requires just one pan for easy clean up
- Hearty yet light enough for all appetites thanks to fresh veggies
- Adaptable for gluten free eaters and flexible with protein swaps
02 -
- Packed with protein and vegetables
- Naturally gluten free when using approved sausage and broth
- Kids love the sweet roasted apples
- Freezes well for make ahead dinners
03 -
- Layer your sausages on top of the veggies for extra crisp edges on the meat
- If you use apple cider stir halfway through roasting so the sugars do not burn Taste your kale before adding tender leaves need less roasting and keep their vibrant green I always roast an extra apple on the side because someone in my house inevitably asks for more