Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo
A hearty one-pan meal featuring chicken sausage, orzo pasta, and a creamy sauce, perfect for a quick and flavorful dinner.
Ingredients
Olive Oil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Chicken Sausage
- 12 oz chicken sausage cheddar, feta, or your favorite variety, sliced
Aromatics
- ½ cup onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
Orzo Pasta
- 1 cup orzo pasta
Liquid & Seasonings
- 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
Cheese & Additions
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese or feta, depending on your sausage flavor
- 1 cup spinach or kale for extra greens
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes for a Mediterranean twist
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes for heat
Garnish
- fresh parsley chopped
- extra grated cheese
- lemon zest for brightness
Instructions
- 1. Sauté the chicken sausage in olive oil until lightly browned, then set aside.
- 2. Cook onion and garlic, then toast orzo for 1 minute.
- 3. Add chicken broth, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 8-10 minutes.
- 4. Stir in heavy cream and cheese until smooth, then add cooked sausage and optional spinach or tomatoes.
- 5. Remove from heat and garnish with parsley, extra cheese, and lemon zest. Serve warm!
Notes
For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt. Add spinach or kale for extra greens.