This Chicken Sausage Orzo is ready in less than an hour and only requires six ingredients! Made with chicken sausage, aromatics, broccoli, and a creamy consistency, this recipe is a delicious way to liven up weekly dinners. Serve it with crusty bread from the store for a comforting meal.
This chicken sausage orzo recipe always impresses family and friends. With its decadent consistency and flavorful ingredients, loved ones will be asking you for the recipe after one bite! Bonus: This delicious recipe is packed with fresh broccoli, so it’s also full of fiber and nutrients.
If you can’t get enough orzo this week, try making one of my other orzo recipes, such as Easy One Pot Lemon Chicken & Orzo, Creamy Italian Sausage Soup with Orzo & Kale, or Easy Pesto Orzo Salad.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 6 ingredients – This chicken sausage orzo only requires six ingredients, and half are likely already in your pantry!
- Loaded with fiber – I’ve included fresh broccoli in this chicken sausage orzo recipe, so it’s fiber-rich and filling.
- Great for meal prep – This yummy recipe reheats well, making it the perfect option for meal prep throughout the week.
- Creamy – Creating this recipe with half and half and parmigiano Reggiano adds a delicious richness and creamy consistency to this meal.
- One-pot dinner – Since this recipe is cooked in one pan, it means there’s minimal cleanup after dinner, making this the perfect weeknight meal.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Broccoli: Be sure to use bite-sized pieces of broccoli for this chicken sausage orzo, so it’s easier to eat once the recipe is done. I’ve included instructions to create al dente broccoli. If you prefer it soft, microwave to steam it for a few minutes first before adding it in.
- Kosher Salt: All of my recipes are tested with Morton kosher salt unless noted otherwise. It is the best salt for everyday cooking because of its size and flavor. If using table salt, the amount should be reduced. I highly recommend picking up some kosher next time you are at the store!
Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.
How to Make Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo
Quick Overview
- Sauté orzo.
- Add other ingredients.
- Cook.
Step by Step Instructions
Toasting the orzo first helps create additional flavor in this chicken sausage orzo recipe.
Be sure to add the parmesan after the pot is off the heat for the best results.
Step 1: In a large skillet, add about 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil. Heat over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken sausage slices to the skillet. Sauté for about 8 minutes, or until browned on both sides.
Step 2: Add the minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for about 2 minutes, or until fragrant. Stir in the orzo and cook for 1 minute, ensuring it’s well coated with the oil and garlic.
Step 3: Pour in 2 1/2 cups of water to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in the broccoli. Season with about 1 teaspoon of Morton kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper.
Step 4: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Cover the skillet and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes to ensure the orzo does not stick, or until the orzo is almost cooked through.
Step 5: Pour in the half and half and bring to a light boil. Cook uncovered for an additional 5 minutes, stirring continuously, or until the orzo is fully cooked and the sauce has thickened.
Step 6: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the parmesan cheese. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of hot water to loosen it.
Recipe Serving Suggestions
Garnish the chicken sausage orzo with fresh parsley, extra parmesan cheese, and fresh lemon wedges or a squeeze of lemon juice. I love serving this creamy orzo pasta recipe with a fresh salad. Here are a few ideas:
- Goat Cheese Salad with Arugula
- Copycat Panera Greek Salad & Dressing
- Caesar Salad Dressing without Anchovies (tossed with romaine lettuce, croutons, and parmesan cheese)
Expert Tips
- Use parmigiano reggiano. I recommend using a good-quality Parmigiano Reggiano when making this one-pan chicken sausage orzo since the ingredients list is short. With recipes including simple ingredients, it’s easier to notice the quality of each element. Parmigiano Reggiano has a bolder flavor than regular parmesan cheese, so it’s worth the higher cost if you can swing it.
- Toast the orzo first. To make this creamy chicken sausage orzo an even more delicious recipe, I recommend toasting the wheat pasta for a few minutes first. While not required, this extra step will add a nice golden-brown color to the pasta and increase the flavor of the chicken sausage orzo recipe.
- Occasionally stir the orzo. This helps create the best creamy pasta dish by preventing the pasta from sticking while cooking. Avoid letting the orzo simmer over medium heat untouched, as you’ll end up with a clumpy recipe.
Additions & Variations
- Use a different green vegetable. Alter this chicken sausage orzo to your preferences by using different green veggies instead of broccoli. Spinach and asparagus work well with this recipe.
- Try rotisserie chicken instead of chicken sausage. If you’re not a fan of chicken sausage or you don’t have any on hand, you can use rotisserie chicken instead. Be sure to chop the chicken breasts into chunks and remove the skin before incorporating it into the recipe. Another great alternative is spicy Italian chicken sausage.
- Add cayenne pepper for heat. This Italian sausage orzo recipe is delicious with a kick of heat. I always recommend starting with 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne and increasing to your preferences. Adding more cayenne later is better than having an overly spicy dish. You can also use red pepper flakes for heat in this cooked orzo dish.
- Swap half and half for heavy cream. If you want a more comforting recipe, you can swap half and half for heavy cream. Since heavy cream has a higher fat content, it will make the dish feel and taste more decadent. Use a 1:1 ratio.
Recipe FAQs
There are a few differences between chicken sausage and regular sausage. For one, the type of meat used varies, as regular sausage is typically made with pork. The flavors are also different because of the use of chicken versus pork.
Orzo sausage is a recipe that includes orzo pasta and sausage. There are multiple variations, including my recipe noted above for chicken sausage orzo. The only requirement for an orzo sausage recipe is that it includes both ingredients.
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One Pan Chicken Sausage Orzo
Ingredients
- 4 fully cooked chicken sausages, sliced
- 8 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup dry orzo
- 4 cups chopped fresh broccoli*
- 1 cup half and half
- 3 ounces 1 cup parmigiano reggiano, shredded or grated
Instructions
- In a large skillet, add about 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil. Heat over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken sausage slices to the skillet. Sauté for about 8 minutes, or until browned on both sides.4 fully cooked chicken sausages, sliced
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for about 2 minutes, or until fragrant. Stir in the orzo and cook for 1 minute, ensuring it’s well coated with the oil and garlic.8 cloves garlic, minced, 1 cup dry orzo
- Pour in 2 1/2 cups of water to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in the broccoli. Season with about 1 teaspoon of Morton kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper.4 cups chopped fresh broccoli*
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Cover the skillet and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes to ensure the orzo does not stick, or until the orzo is almost cooked through.
- Pour in the half and half and bring to a light boil. Cook uncovered for an additional 5 minutes, stirring continuously, or until the orzo is fully cooked and the sauce has thickened.1 cup half and half
- Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the parmesan cheese. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of hot water to loosen it.3 ounces 1 cup parmigiano reggiano, shredded or grated
Notes
- Broccoli: Be sure to use bite-sized pieces of broccoli for this chicken sausage orzo, so it’s easier to eat once the recipe is done. I’ve included instructions to create al dente broccoli. If you prefer it soft, microwave to steam it for a few minutes first before adding it in.
- Kosher Salt: All of my recipes are tested with Morton kosher salt unless noted otherwise. It is the best salt for everyday cooking because of its size and flavor. If using table salt, the amount should be reduced. I highly recommend picking up some kosher next time you are at the store!
- Use parmigiano reggiano. I recommend using a good-quality Parmigiano Reggiano when making this one-pan chicken sausage orzo since the ingredients list is short. With recipes including simple ingredients, it’s easier to notice the quality of each element. Parmigiano Reggiano has a bolder flavor than regular parmesan cheese, so it’s worth the higher cost if you can swing it.
- Toast the orzo first. To make this creamy chicken sausage orzo an even more delicious recipe, I recommend toasting the wheat pasta for a few minutes first. While not required, this extra step will add a nice golden-brown color to the pasta and increase the flavor of the chicken sausage orzo recipe.
- Occasionally stir the orzo. This helps create the best creamy pasta dish by preventing the pasta from sticking while cooking. Avoid letting the orzo simmer over medium heat untouched, as you’ll end up with a clumpy recipe.
- Use a different green vegetable. Alter this chicken sausage orzo to your preferences by using different green veggies instead of broccoli. Spinach and asparagus work well with this recipe.
- Try rotisserie chicken instead of chicken sausage. If you’re not a fan of chicken sausage or you don’t have any on hand, you can use rotisserie chicken instead. Be sure to chop the chicken breasts into chunks and remove the skin before incorporating it into the recipe. Another great alternative is spicy Italian chicken sausage.
- Add cayenne pepper for heat. This Italian sausage orzo recipe is delicious with a kick of heat. I always recommend starting with 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne and increasing to your preferences. Adding more cayenne later is better than having an overly spicy dish. You can also use red pepper flakes for heat in this cooked orzo dish.
- Swap half and half for heavy cream. If you want a more comforting recipe, you can swap half and half for heavy cream. Since heavy cream has a higher fat content, it will make the dish feel and taste more decadent. Use a 1:1 ratio.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Love me a good orzo recipe and this one did not disappoint. Thanks much.
I agree with you this orzo is so yummy and also creamy. I made it yesterday.
This creamy pasta dish was a huge hit with my family!! I loved that all we needed to round out the meal was some dinner rolls. It will be going on our regular dinner rotation!
We love this rich and comforting dish. Everyone in my family gobbled it up!
This was SO delicious and a big hit with the whole family. I have no leftovers! Great recipe.
This creamy pasta is amazing! And the addition of the chicken and sausage makes this such a hearty meal!
I love these one pan orzo recipes. This one was really very good, so easy, creamy and flavourful!
Cooked up the One Pan Chicken Sausage Orzo, and it was a hit! Everything cooked perfectly together, making it a super easy and flavorful meal. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner!
I knew I’d love this recipe from the moment I read ‘one pot’ – it’s so good! Simple to prepare and tastes fantastic. A perfect meal that is a family favourite now.