Description
This creamy chicken sausage orzo skillet is a comforting one-pan dish featuring tender orzo pasta simmered in flavorful chicken broth, combined with savory chicken sausage, aromatic onions, garlic, and a creamy blend of heavy cream and cheese. Enhanced with herbs and optional additions like spinach or sun-dried tomatoes, this quick and easy meal is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Orzo Skillet
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 12 oz chicken sausage (cheddar, feta, or your favorite variety), 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 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
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
For Garnishing
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Extra grated cheese
- Lemon zest
Instructions
- Sauté the Chicken Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook for 3-5 minutes until lightly browned. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Aromatics & Orzo: In the same skillet, add the finely chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the orzo pasta and toast it for 1 minute, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
- Simmer the Orzo: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth while scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Stir in dried thyme, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo has absorbed most of the liquid and is tender.
- Make it Creamy: Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese (or feta if using a Mediterranean sausage). Mix thoroughly until smooth and creamy. Add the cooked chicken sausage back into the skillet and stir to evenly combine. If using, now add spinach or kale and sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet, allowing the greens to wilt slightly.
- Finish & Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Garnish the dish with freshly chopped parsley, extra grated cheese, and a sprinkle of lemon zest to brighten flavors. Serve warm and enjoy your creamy chicken sausage orzo skillet.
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter version, but add it off the heat to prevent curdling.
- Feel free to switch out chicken sausage flavors to customize the dish—cheddar or feta varieties work well.
- Optional additions like spinach, kale, or sun-dried tomatoes add color and extra nutrients.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the saltiness of the dish.
- For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes when cooking the aromatics.
