Description

Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo is a flavorful and comforting one-pot recipe perfect for quick weeknight dinners. This dish combines tender chicken sausage, creamy sauce, and perfectly cooked orzo pasta, delivering a satisfying meal with minimal cleanup. It’s versatile and can be customized with vegetables or alternative proteins, making it a great option for any family meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Proteins

12 ounces chicken sausage, sliced

Pasta and Grains

1 cup orzo pasta

Dairy

1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Liquids

2 cups chicken broth

Seasonings and Others

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook until browned on both sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage and set aside.
Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Cook Orzo: Add the orzo pasta to the skillet and stir to lightly toast it for 1-2 minutes. Then pour in the chicken broth, bring to a simmer, and cover.
Simmer: Let the orzo cook in the broth for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Add Sausage and Cream: Return the cooked chicken sausage to the skillet. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until heated through and the sauce is creamy and well combined.
Season and Garnish: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm with optional sides like a fresh green salad or crusty garlic bread.

Notes

For added vegetables, stir in spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms after cooking the garlic.
To make it lighter, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
You can swap chicken sausage with turkey sausage or a plant-based sausage for alternative protein options.
If you want a deeper flavor, brown the chicken sausage well and deglaze the pan with a splash of white wine before adding broth.
Use fresh Parmesan cheese for the best flavor impact.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American