Description
Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo is a comforting and flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender orzo pasta simmered in a rich, creamy sauce with savory chicken sausage, sautéed onions, garlic, and fresh spinach. Finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, this easy-to-make meal is perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound chicken sausage, sliced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same skillet, add diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Toast the orzo: Stir in the orzo pasta and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, to lightly toast the orzo.
- Simmer orzo: Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 10 minutes until orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Add cream and cheese: Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and baby spinach. Cook for 2-3 minutes until spinach wilts and sauce thickens.
- Combine and season: Return cooked chicken sausage to the skillet and stir everything together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish the dish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt content.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk.
- Gluten-free orzo can be used for a gluten-free version.
- Ensure the sausage is fully cooked before removing from the skillet to prevent foodborne illness.
- Fresh spinach can be substituted with kale or other leafy greens if desired.
