Spicy Chicken Sausage Pizza with Chipotle Pepper and Pepita Seed Pesto & Giveaway!

48 Replies

This giveaway is now closed.  Random.org chose #2

So, Mona…you are the winner!  I hope you enjoy your chicken sausages!!! You should be receiving an email soon!

A couple weeks ago I received an email from Gold’n Plump asking me if I’d be interested in trying their new line of chicken sausages.  I don’t typically buy Gold’n Plump products, so I didn’t really know anything about the company.  I was surprised to learn that they are based out of St. Cloud, Minnesota–just a few hours drive from where we live.

In fact, these chickens are probably more “local” than what I can get at my neighborhood butcher shop (sad, huh?)–and a whole lot cheaper than buying them straight from the farmer’s market/farmer.  Now, if you read my blog regularly, you’re probably already aware that I’m pretty picky when purchasing my meat.

I try to buy organic as much as possible, but sometimes that’s not always the practical thing to do.  Do you know how much money 12lbs of organic, cage-free, vegetarian fed chicken breast for a potluck would cost me?  A small fortune, I’m sure.  It’s the sad reality.

I replied to the email and asked a few questions about the chicken–what they’re fed, how they’re raised, and if they were given any hormones/antibiotics.   I was satisfied with the responses I was given, so I agreed to give the chicken sausages a try.

I was sent 4 different varieties to try:  Lean Chicken Bratwurst, Lean Hot Italian Chicken Sausage, Lean Parmesan Italian Chicken Sausage and Lean Apple Maple Chicken Breakfast Sausage.

I decided to try the Hot Italian Chicken Sausages first.

…And I had the perfect recipe in mind:  Spicy Chicken Sausage Pizza with a Chipotle Pepper-Pepita Seed Pesto.

Piyush always tells me how much he loves the chicken sausage pizza at Zpizza–a place he eats lunch at occasionally.  He’s actually bought chicken sausages from Trader Joe’s, Hyvee, Walmart and Sam’s Club–trying to find one with the same taste as the one on that pizza.  They all ended up in the garbage, and we continued to buy pork when we got the craving for sausages or brats.

Sure, pork sausage is delicious; but it’s also incredibly fatty–definitely not good for my already over-expanded waistline.  The spicy chicken sausage from Gold’n Plump contained 8 g. of fat and less than 180 calories per link.  That is a whole lot healthier than pork!  …and the apple maple breakfast sausages were 100 calories for 3 links–I say that’s awesome!  I can’t wait to give those a try this weekend.

Now, before I go on telling you what I think about the sausages, let me just state that yes, Gold’n Plump provided the sausages to me at no cost…but I will be honest, and all opinions/statements are completely my own.  

So, the nutrition stats look pretty good–aside from the sodium levels, but even that was less than most pork sausages I’ve bought in the past; and sausage is usually high in salt in the first place.  But how was the taste?

I removed the sausage from the casings so that I could top the pizza with ground meat instead of sliced.

In my personal opinion–and Piyush’s too–the hot Italian sausage was definitely as good as any pork sausage we’ve tried.  It was very well spiced (it actually is hot) and wasn’t dry at all.  After I removed the sausage from the casings (I wanted ground meat instead of sliced rings–although Piyush would have preferred I kept the sausages in the casings), I cooked it in a little olive oil until it browned up nicely.

Because Piyush loved the chicken sausage pizza from Zpizza, I thought it would be fun to make my own version.  I’ve never tried a slice before…so I went to their website and checked out the toppings.  It had chipotle pesto, red onions, corn, chicken sausage, mozzerella, tomatoes, cilantro and serrano chilies–it sounded fantastic!

I wish I would have thought of it first and could take all the credit, but no…instead I’m offering my version of Zpizza’s Santa Fe (which Piyush told me is nothing like their version—it’s different, but good on the exact same level.  He really loves their pizza).

Spicy Chicken Sausage Pizza

Not only am I excited to share this crazy-good pizza recipe with you all, but I’m also excited because the nice people at Gold’n Plump have offered to send one of my readers the exact same chicken sausage sampler pack I received!

Gold’n Plump’s New Chicken Sausage Line: Parmesan Italian, Hot Italian, and Apple Maple Breakfast Sausages. There was also a package of Chicken Bratwurst.

So lets talk about this Giveaway!

To enter, simply leave a comment telling me:

 What excites you about this new line of chicken sausages,  and what you would make with them if you won?

The giveaway ends Monday, June 4 at 7:00 p.m. Central Time.  The giveaway is only open to U.S. residents– (sorry!).  Be sure to include a valid email address with your comment…if you win, I’ve got to be able to contact you!

I’ll choose the winner randomly using Random.org’s random number generator.  If I don’t hear back from the winner by Wednesday, June 6 at 5:00 pm Central Time, a new winner will be chosen!

For an additional chances to win the Gold’n Plump Chicken Sausage Sampler Pack:

  • Like Gold’n Plump on Facebook (HERE)
  • Like My Fancy Pantry on Facebook (HERE)
  • Follow My Fancy Pantry on Twitter (HERE)
If you click LIKE on Facebook or FOLLOW on Twitter, be sure to leave a separate comment letting me know, and if you already LIKE or FOLLOW, leave a comment about that too!    

In the mean time, if you’d like to try these sausages, you can head over to Gold’n Plump’s website and grab a $1.00 off coupon!  They’re available at Super-Target (and some other stores too, I’m sure!).

Now, let’s get back to the pizza!

I used my basic whole wheat pizza crust recipe (using Indian Atta flour instead of regular whole wheat flour).

Printer Friendly Recipe: Pizza Crust

I topped the pizza with some Chipotle Pepper and Pepita Seed Pesto (recipe here) and finely chopped jalapeno peppers before topping with three kinds of cheeses: shredded mozzerella, shredded fontina and a locally made cheese similar to queso fresco.  I then added the chicken sausage (2 links), some thinly sliced green and yellow bell pepper, whole kernels of corn (I used canned–but rinsed it all well before using), roasted tomato slices and additional sliced jalapenos for my spice-loving husband.

I baked the pizza at a little higher temp than usual: 475 degrees F…and didn’t pay close attention, so you’ll notice I burned it a little.  I kind of liked it though, it reminded me a lot of a nice, wood-fired pizza–it even had that smokiness from the chipotles!

Once the pizza was finished baking, I topped it with some chopped cilantro, crumbled queso fresco style-cheese (the local stuff I used earlier) and an adobo-ranch sauce I made.  I don’t like ranch dressing, but I knew this pizza would be spicy so I thought some sort of sauce would help cool it a little and also add some additional flavor.

I mixed a few squirts of ranch dressing with a little bit of adobo sauce (which the chipotle peppers were packed in) until I thought it was well balanced.  I then tossed it in the fridge for a good 20 minutes, and drizzled it lightly over the pizza before I served it.

Piyush and I watched a netflix movie (some Hindi movie that I don’t remember the name of right now…) and enjoyed our pizza on the couch.

I’ve got to say, this might be the very best pizza flavor combination yet…

48 thoughts on “Spicy Chicken Sausage Pizza with Chipotle Pepper and Pepita Seed Pesto & Giveaway!”

  1. mdprincing

    I Loooooove pork sausage, my doctor and wife wish I didn’t. If this is as good as pork I’m all in. I can eat the flavors I love with out the guilt or health risks of high fat foods. I would make a pizza as well but also would put together a pot of killer Jambalaya

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  2. mona

    Shari, your pizza looks awesome! I am going to try your recipe for myself! I’m a big veggie, person, and I love trying all different kinds of spices in everything I cook, so, this should be a fun experience!
    The chicken sausage sounds good, and when you said the apple maple breakfast sausage was only 100 calories for 3 links, well you sold me! lol! I really like your blog. It’s interesting, and informative, and I will keep checking back, to see what new recipes you have added! Keep up the great job!

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  3. Lori Thaldorf

    The pizza was to die for. I would definitely like to make this pizza with the chicken sausage. Primo!

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  4. Aaron

    I think healthy breakfast sausage sounds fantastic if it is even half as good as pork based sausage. Would probably eat that with pancakes, but try the italian in a lasagna or sauteed with greens and tossed with pasta?

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  5. Camy

    What excites me is the large variety of sausages I can use to cook with. I would love to use the bratwursts to make some hearty bangers and mash!

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  6. patty

    I love your blog!! You always have interesting topics and cooking tips .The chicken sausage does sound amazing. My husband strictly eats chicken, so these would be new options to test. The taste of the pizza you gave me was very good.I will have to try the recipe. Keep up the good work!!

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  7. Janice

    I LOVE sausage, but I love how the new chicken sausage is less fat and healthier for you. It’d be delish on pizza!! (my fav pizza topping, of course) 😉

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  11. Wen

    I’m always told I should eat less sausage and these look pretty tasty. I’d probably just pan sear the sausage and eat it with rice.

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  12. Robin Saylor

    This recipe sounds amazing! My husband and I love trying new foods, and I have been making homemade pizza for years!

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  13. LaTasha Cornett

    I’ve been a non-pork eater for about 15 years and until fairly recently its been very difficult to find tasty non-pork alternatives. I would try the hot & spicy and the breakfast sausage. I would use the hot & spicy in a Nigella Lawson recipe I’ve been eyeing… yum!

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  17. Shumaila

    Well since my husband only eats chicken meat, I would love to try these sausages on him. I have bought chicken sausages before and he did not like them and since I love sausages, I am hoping that these would change his mind!:)

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  18. chuck

    The best part of this new line of sausage is the flavor variety. Having a lean chicken option instead of the traditional brat is an awesome idea. I would cut the sausage into smaller pieces and make it into a dip that my mom usual makes with just plain hamburger. The pizza looks super good as well 🙂

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  20. Kristen Mastel

    The giveaway would be prefer for making some lettuce wraps, chicken burgers, or a fun breakfast in bed this summer. Thanks for sharing your recipe and the contest.

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  22. Nancy

    I LOVE Gold’n Plump Chicken!! I don’t eat red meat (incl pork) and haven’t for almost 25 yrs (health reasons- no political statements). there are a million recipes I would love to try the sausages and brats in. Egg Bake Brunch recipes, Spinach Salad with Chicken Apple Sausages (I love this one with Trader Joe’s sausage), would love to try it in pasta, the options are endless! I liked your FB page and already was a fan of Gold’n Plump s page 🙂

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  24. Patricia Wojnar Crowley

    I would definetly cook some of these with some sauce, peppers, and onions to serve as sandwiches!

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  25. Bethany

    If I were chosen, I would use the chicken sausage to both try the pizza you have showcased on your blog but also in my version of a famous italian sausage soup from a big name chain (Olive Garden). bjatj@hickorytech.net

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  27. Chck Getchell

    What I like about the new sausages is they are leaner and are a healthy food. I’d make the hot italian sausage in a Zesty and spicy tomato pasta sauce with chopped tomatoes in green chiles. Served over a whole grain pasta.

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  29. Kristi

    I am excited that these are a healthy option for our family to grill out with this summer! I would eat a hot one on a bun with ketchup and relish.

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  31. cnuland

    I would love to have some chicken sausage on hand for Italian dishes, but I have to say I’m most excited about the breakfast sausage. I want a healthier alternative for my family – and my little girl has discovered she loves sausage!

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  32. Pa Lee

    Shari,
    your pizza looks so delicious! My family LOVES spicy foods! I see jalapeños in your pizza! I can’t wait to try it! My kids will love to try it, especially with those sausages! I’ll have to throw it in my egg rolls and test it out as well!

    Keep posting!

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  40. Brandy

    Using the parmesan sausage, I’d make a delicious calzone with roasted veggies and gorgonzola cheese. I’m excited because it adds an option for dinner we haven’t previously had!

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  44. Judith

    What excites me about the chicken sausages is that I can use them in my favorite recipes and not feel guilty about not eating healthy

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    1. Shari Post author

      It is definitely different, but the flavors just really work well with one another. …the pepitas definitely make the pesto! 🙂

      Reply ↓

  47. Pingback: Chicken Sausage, Pesto and Gruyere Croissant Rolls…and a Giveaway! « My Fancy Pantry

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