Toss potatoes with 1 tablespoon oil, teaspoon salt, and teaspoon pepper in bowl. Cover and micro- wave, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender, about 5 minutes; drain well.
Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add sausage and brown on all sides, about 5 minutes; transfer to platter.
Add onion and teaspoon salt to fat left in skillet and cook over medium heat until onion is soft- ened, about 5 minutes. Stir in cabbage, cider, apple, bay leaves, and thyme. Cover and cook until cabbage is softened, about 15 minutes.
Nestle sausage into vegetables, cover, and cook until cabbage is very tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Uncover and simmer until liquid is almost evaporated, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer sausage to platter and discard bay leaves. Stir vinegar into vegetables and season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer vegetables to platter with sausage and tent with aluminum foil.
Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil to now-empty skillet and heat over medium heat until shimmering. Add potatoes, cut side down, and cook until browned, 2 to 5 minutes. Transfer to platter with sausage and cabbage, sprinkle with chives, and serve.