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30-Minute One-Pan Creamy Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Orzo

Close-up of creamy chicken sausage and broccoli orzo served in a white bowl, featuring browned sausage slices and bright green florets.
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This one-pan chicken sausage and broccoli orzo recipe delivers a satisfying, creamy, and flavorful weeknight dinner fast. You achieve a complete meal with minimal cleanup, making it perfect for busy evenings.

Ingredients

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  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound pre-cooked chicken sausage, sliced into rounds
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook until lightly browned, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the sausage and set it aside, leaving any rendered fat in the skillet.
  2. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  3. Add the orzo pasta to the skillet and toast for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
  5. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and cook for 10 minutes, stirring halfway through to prevent the orzo from sticking.
  6. Stir in the broccoli florets. Cover the skillet again and cook for another 5 to 7 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. The broccoli should be bright green and tender-crisp.
  7. Return the cooked chicken sausage to the skillet. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and lemon juice until the sauce is creamy.
  8. Serve immediately. This is a great family friendly dinner option.

Notes

  • For a lower-fat option, substitute the heavy cream with evaporated milk or use 1 cup of whole milk plus 2 tablespoons of cornstarch mixed with a little cold water to thicken the sauce at the end.
  • If you prefer a less creamy dish, reduce the amount of chicken broth by 1 cup.
  • You can substitute the fresh broccoli with 1 cup of frozen broccoli florets; add them at the same time as the fresh ones, but you may need to add 1-2 extra minutes of cooking time.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenican.com/chicken-sausage-and-broccoli-orzo/