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Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo

Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo

A quick and easy one-pan meal featuring chicken sausage, broccoli, and orzo, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course main dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • large skillet

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 12 oz chicken sausage cut into half-inch pieces
  • 1 cup dried orzo pasta
  • 4 cups fresh broccoli florets chopped small
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic finely chopped

Liquids & Seasonings

  • 2.5 cups chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Italian herb blend
  • 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper optional
  • Salt to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste

Finishing Touches

  • 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Instructions
 

Cooking Instructions

  • Heat half the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook for 3-4 minutes until nicely browned on both sides. Remove to a plate and set aside.
  • Add the remaining oil to the same skillet. Toss in the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until it starts to soften. Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes, stirring for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Add the uncooked orzo to the skillet and stir it around for 1-2 minutes to lightly toast. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any tasty brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and let it cook for 8 minutes.
  • Stir in the broccoli florets and nestle the browned sausage back into the skillet. Give everything a good stir, cover again, and cook for another 4-5 minutes until the broccoli is tender-crisp and the orzo has soaked up most of the broth.
  • Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese and fresh lemon juice. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

This one-pan wonder comes together in about 25 minutes and makes cleanup a breeze. Feel free to swap the broccoli for other quick-cooking vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or cherry tomatoes. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat beautifully in the microwave.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 25gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 80mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 10mg
Keyword Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo, Comfort Food, healthy dinner, One Pan Meal, Pasta, quick dinner
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