Okay, let me tell you about this Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo! Seriously, if you need a dinner that’s ridiculously easy *and* tastes amazing, stop right here. This is my absolute go-to when the weeknight hustle hits hard. It’s all cooked in one pan, which means less mess and more time for, well, anything else! The way the orzo soaks up all those savory flavors from the sausage and broth? Pure magic. It’s that comforting, satisfying meal that just hits the spot every single time, and it’s so simple even a total beginner can nail it. This recipe has saved me more times than I can count!
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo
You are going to be obsessed with this recipe!
- One-Pan Wonder: Seriously, cleanup is a breeze. Everything cooks in a single skillet.
- Super Speedy: We’re talking dinner on the table in under 40 minutes, start to finish.
- Packed with Flavor: The savory sausage, aromatic veggies, and cheesy orzo are just *chef’s kiss*.
- Completely Satisfying: It’s hearty, comforting, and fills you right up without being too heavy.
Gather Your Ingredients for Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo
Alright, let’s get your kitchen prepped! For this amazing Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo, you’ll need just a few pantry staples. Make sure you have: 1 tablespoon of olive oil to get things started, about a pound of chicken sausage that you’ll want to slice up nicely. Grab one onion, nice and chopped, and two cloves of garlic, all minced. You’ll also need one cup of orzo pasta, which is like little rice-shaped pasta that cooks up so perfectly. We’ll use two cups of chicken broth to make it all saucy, plus a cup of fresh broccoli florets – I like mine cut into bite-sized pieces. Lastly, about half a cup of grated Parmesan cheese for that cheesy goodness, and of course, salt and pepper to taste. Easy peasy!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo
Alright, let’s get this one-pan wonder cooking! It’s really straightforward, and I promise you’ll love how easily it comes together. Just like how we make our Garlic Butter Chicken Veggies so simple, this dish is all about minimal fuss and maximum flavor.
Sautéing the Aromatics and Sausage for Your Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo
First things first, grab a nice big skillet and get it over medium-high heat. Add that olive oil – don’t be shy! Once it’s shimmering a bit, toss in your sliced chicken sausage. We want to get a good brown sear on it, letting it get a little crispy around the edges. This step is key because it renders out some of that yummy sausage fat that we’ll use for flavor! Once it’s beautifully browned, just scoop it out and set it aside for a moment. Now, throw in your chopped onion. Let it soften up and get nice and translucent, usually about 5 minutes. Then, in goes the minced garlic. It only needs a minute or so to get fragrant; you don’t want it to burn!
Cooking the Orzo and Simmering the Base
Next up is the orzo! Give it a good stir right there in the skillet for about a minute. Toasting it like this really brings out a nutty flavor, you know? After that, pour in the chicken broth. Make sure you scrape up any tasty bits stuck to the bottom of the pan! Bring the whole thing to a rolling boil, then immediately turn the heat down to low. Pop a lid on that skillet – this is important for letting the orzo cook evenly and absorb all that liquid. Let it simmer away for about 10 minutes. It’s almost like magic watching it cook, sort of like how our Shrimp Stir with Noodles comes together so quickly!
Adding Broccoli and Sausage to Complete the Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo
Okay, after those 10 minutes are up, take the lid off and stir in your beautiful broccoli florets and the chicken sausage that you browned earlier. Give it all a good mix. Now, put the lid back on and let it continue to cook for another 5 to 7 minutes. You’re looking for the orzo to be perfectly tender and the broccoli to be bright green and tender-crisp. It smells SO good at this stage, trust me!
Finishing Touches and Seasoning
The grand finale! Take the lid off and stir in that gorgeous grated Parmesan cheese until it’s all melty and creamy. Give it a taste and season with salt and pepper until it’s just right for you. If you’re feeling fancy and want it extra creamy, this is the perfect time to stir in a little splash of heavy cream – it makes it absolutely divine!
Tips for Perfect Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo
Want your Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo to be absolutely spot-on every time? Here are my little secrets:
First, don’t skimp on browning the sausage! Getting a good sear means you’re building tons of flavor right from the start, and rendering out a little fat makes everything richer. Also, make sure your chicken broth is good quality; it makes a big difference to the final taste, just like in our Chicken Broccoli Nuggets.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
When it comes to making this Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo, a few ingredient choices can really elevate it. I personally love using a good quality chicken sausage, like Italian-style or even a slightly spicy one, but feel free to experiment! If you don’t have broccoli, green beans or even some chopped zucchini would be fantastic in here. And don’t be afraid to swap out the chicken broth for vegetable broth if you’re leaning more vegetarian. It’s all about making it work for *you*, just like how we adapt our creamy chicken ramen to whatever we have on hand!
Serving Suggestions for Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo
This Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo is pretty much a meal all on its own, but if you want to round things out, think simple! A light side salad with a bright vinaigrette or some crusty bread to sop up any extra sauce would be lovely. You could also go for something a bit more Mediterranean, like a mini version of our Greek Chicken Bowls or some quick flavourful Mediterranean Chicken Gyros! It’s all about balancing flavours and textures.
Storage and Reheating Your Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo
Got leftovers? Lucky you! To store your delicious Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo, just let it cool down a bit, then pop it into an airtight container in the fridge. It should keep nicely for about 3-4 days. When you’re ready to reheat, I find the best way is on the stovetop over low heat with just a tiny splash of water or broth to help loosen things up. This keeps the orzo from getting too mushy. Microwaving works too, but you might notice the texture changes a bit more, especially with the broccoli.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo
Got questions about this speedy skillet meal? I’ve got answers!
Can I use a different type of pasta instead of orzo?
You totally can! Orzo is fantastic because it cooks so quickly and gets nice and creamy, but if you don’t have it, try ditalini, small shells, or even broken spaghetti. Just adjust the cooking time based on what the pasta package recommends. Some dried pasta might need a little more liquid too, so keep that broth handy!
How can I make this a vegetarian or vegan dish?
Absolutely! You can easily swap out the chicken sausage for a plant-based sausage alternative; there are so many great ones out there now. For a vegetarian version, chicken broth can be replaced with vegetable broth. If you’re going fully vegan, skip the Parmesan cheese at the end or use a nutritional yeast sprinkle for that cheesy flavor. It’s still delicious!
Can I add more vegetables to my Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo?
Yes, please do! This recipe is super forgiving. I love adding chopped bell peppers along with the onions, or stirring in some spinach or kale right at the end until it wilts. Peas, corn, or even diced zucchini would be great additions too! Think of it like our Ground Beef Zucchini Skillet Dinner – veggies are always welcome here!
Why did my orzo get mushy?
Oops! Sometimes orzo can get a bit mushy if it’s overcooked or if there’s too much liquid. Make sure you’re not simmering it for too long and that you’re using the correct ratio of broth to orzo. Also, try not to stir it *too* much once it starts simmering – just give it a gentle stir occasionally. It’s a delicate balance, kind of like getting our White Bean Soup just right!
Nutritional Information Estimate
Alright, let’s talk numbers for this yummy Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo! Keep in mind these are estimates, and your final counts might wiggle a bit depending on the exact brands you use. Roughly, a serving comes in around 550 calories, with about 25g fat, 50g carbs, and a solid 30g of protein. It’s a pretty well-balanced meal, hitting those macros nicely, sort of like our High Protein Beef Pasta does!
Share Your Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo Creation!
I absolutely love hearing from you all! Did you make this awesome Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo? I’d be thrilled if you dropped a comment below to let me know how it turned out for you. Share your tips, rate the recipe, or even tag me in your photos on social media – seeing your creations is the best part of this whole cooking journey! You can learn more about my kitchen adventures over on my About Me page!
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Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo
- Total Time: 35 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and flavorful one-pan meal featuring chicken sausage, broccoli, and orzo pasta.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound chicken sausage, sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken sausage and cook until browned. Remove sausage from skillet and set aside.
- Add onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Stir in orzo and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Stir in broccoli florets and cooked chicken sausage.
- Cover and cook for another 5-7 minutes, or until orzo is tender and broccoli is bright green.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- For a creamier texture, stir in a splash of heavy cream at the end.
- You can substitute other vegetables like bell peppers or spinach.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: chicken sausage, broccoli, orzo, one-pan meal, easy dinner, pasta