Description
A delightful one-pan meal featuring chicken sausage, creamy orzo, and vibrant vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 12 oz chicken sausage, sliced
- 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)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (or feta)
- 1 cup spinach or kale
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Extra grated cheese and lemon zest for brightness
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage, cooking for about 3-5 minutes until they develop a golden-brown crust. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set it aside.
- In the same skillet, add the finely chopped onion. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic, cooking for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the orzo to toast it for about 1 minute, stirring frequently.
- Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth, scraping up any bits from the skillet. Sprinkle in the dried thyme, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Bring everything to a gentle simmer and allow it to cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Lower the heat, then stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar. Mix until it becomes wonderfully smooth, and then toss in the cooked chicken sausage along with the spinach and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Remove the pan from heat and garnish with chopped fresh parsley, extra cheese, and lemon zest. Serve warm.
Notes
Make-ahead tips include preparing sausage and chopped vegetables in advance. Customize with any type of sausage or vegetables you prefer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: chicken, sausage, pasta, creamy, orzo, one-pan, easy, dinner