Description
Unwind with our Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo, your new go-to one-pan wonder! Savor golden-brown sausage, sweet sautéed onions, and garlic mingling with tiny orzo for a deeply satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound pre-cooked chicken sausage, sliced
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1.5 cups uncooked orzo pasta
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pan or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook for 3-5 minutes until lightly browned. Remove the sausage from the pan and set aside.
- Step 2: Add the diced yellow onion to the same pan and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add the uncooked orzo pasta to the pan and stir for 1-2 minutes to lightly toast it. Pour in the chicken broth, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed and the orzo is tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Step 4: Stir in the heavy cream, fresh spinach, and the cooked chicken sausage. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring until the spinach wilts and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 5: Remove from heat. Stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional) and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Leftovers store beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, often tasting even better the next day as the flavors meld.
- When reheating, gently warm on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to restore its creamy consistency if it has thickened too much.
- This hearty one-pan dish is a complete meal, but it pairs wonderfully with a simple side salad or a slice of crusty bread to sop up all the delicious sauce.
- For an extra layer of brightness and to cut through the richness, stir in a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a pinch of red pepper flakes right before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.75 cups (approx. 450g)
- Calories: 620
- Sodium: 1050mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0.1g
- Protein: 4g