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Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo : A One-Pan Meal Recipe

Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo : A One-Pan Meal Recipe
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★★★★★

4.4 from 51 reviews

Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo is an ultra-comforting, one-pan meal loaded with savory chicken sausage, golden orzo, and a rich, velvety sauce. Balanced with bursts of cheese, a touch of aromatic thyme and paprika, and the option to boost with greens or sun-dried tomatoes, this dish comes together with minimal cleanup—perfect for busy weeknights or a relaxed weekend supper.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Orzo Skillet

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 12 oz chicken sausage, sliced (cheddar, feta, or your favorite variety)
  • ½ cup onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • ½ cup heavy cream (or Greek yogurt for a lighter option)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (or feta, depending on your sausage flavor)

Optional Add-Ins

  • 1 cup spinach or kale (for extra greens)
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (for a Mediterranean twist)
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (for heat)

For Garnishing

  • Fresh parsley, chopped
  • Extra grated cheese
  • Lemon zest (for brightness)

Instructions

  1. Sauté the Chicken Sausage: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook for 3–5 minutes, until lightly browned and caramelized. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside, keeping any flavorful bits in the pan.
  2. Cook the Aromatics & Orzo: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion. Cook for 2–3 minutes until it softens and becomes translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant. Add the orzo pasta and toast for 1 minute, stirring to coat each grain in oil and lightly brown for extra flavor.
  3. Simmer the Orzo: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan for added depth. Sprinkle in the dried thyme, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well, bring to a simmer, and cook uncovered for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo absorbs most of the broth and becomes tender.
  4. Make it Creamy: Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese (or feta, if using). Mix until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Return the cooked chicken sausage to the skillet, stirring to combine. If using spinach or kale, sun-dried tomatoes, or red pepper flakes, add them at this point and cook until the greens are wilted.
  5. Finish & Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Garnish the orzo with chopped fresh parsley, extra grated cheese, and a sprinkle of lemon zest for brightness. Serve the dish warm straight from the skillet for a truly comforting meal.

Notes

  • Use Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream for a lighter, tangy sauce.
  • Try swapping cheddar cheese for feta if using Mediterranean-style sausage or sun-dried tomatoes.
  • Add extra vegetables, like mushrooms or bell peppers, to bulk up the meal.
  • This dish reheats beautifully for lunch the next day; add a splash of broth if it thickens too much.
  • Customize the spiciness with red pepper flakes to taste.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pan, creamy orzo, chicken sausage, easy dinner, skillet meal, comfort food

Find it online: https://topreci.com/creamy-chicken-sausage-orzo-a-one-pan-meal-recipe/