Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo Recipe
This Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo recipe is a hearty, flavorful one-pan meal combining tender chicken sausage, fresh broccoli, and tender orzo pasta cooked in a savory chicken broth. Enhanced with Italian herbs, garlic, and finished with Parmesan and fresh lemon juice, it offers a perfectly balanced, comforting dish ready in just 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 12 oz chicken sausage, cut into half-inch pieces
Pasta
- 1 cup dried orzo pasta
Vegetables
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped small
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
Liquids & Oils
- 2½ cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon Italian herb blend
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Finishing
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Brown the sausage: Heat half the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook for 3-4 minutes until nicely browned on both sides. Remove to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the remaining oil to the same skillet. Toss in the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until it starts to soften. Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes, stirring for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Toast orzo and add broth: Add the uncooked orzo to the skillet and stir it around for 1-2 minutes to lightly toast. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any tasty brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and let it cook for 8 minutes.
- Cook broccoli and sausage together: Stir in the broccoli florets and nestle the browned sausage back into the skillet. Give everything a good stir, cover again, and cook for another 4-5 minutes until the broccoli is tender-crisp and the orzo has soaked up most of the broth.
- Finish and serve: Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese and fresh lemon juice. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- To make this dish spicier, increase the crushed red pepper according to your preference.
- Use chicken sausage with your favorite herbs or flavors for variety.
- Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent the orzo from sticking to the skillet.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely on the stovetop or microwave.
- For a creamier version, stir in a splash of cream or a dollop of ricotta just before serving.
Keywords: Chicken sausage, broccoli, orzo, Italian herbs, one-pan meal, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe
Find it online: https://busyrecipe.com/chicken-sausage-broccoli-orzo-recipe/