Description
A quick and flavorful one-pan meal featuring chicken sausage, tender broccoli, and creamy orzo that’s perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb chicken sausage, sliced (smoked or herbed recommended)
- 2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or briefly thawed frozen)
- 1 ½ cups orzo pasta
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, chopped (yellow or sweet)
- 4 cups chicken broth (or low-sodium broth)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1–2 tbsp olive oil (if your sausage is lean)
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until well browned. Remove the sausage and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add a tablespoon of olive oil if needed, then sauté the chopped onion until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook 30–45 seconds until fragrant.
- Toss in the broccoli florets and cook 2–3 minutes, stirring, until they turn bright green and begin to soften.
- Stir in the orzo to toast it briefly for 1 minute, then pour in the chicken broth. Scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cover the skillet and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring once halfway, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. If it gets too dry, add a splash more broth.
- Return the cooked chicken sausage to the skillet. Stir in the grated Parmesan and season with salt and pepper to taste. Heat through for 1–2 minutes and serve immediately.
Notes
For a richer finish, stir in a tablespoon of butter at the end. You can substitute turkey or pork sausage, and for a dairy-free version, omit the cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: chicken sausage, broccolini, one-pan meal, orzo, weeknight dinner