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Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo

Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo

Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo is your new go-to weeknight dinner, offering a delightful balance of comforting flavors and quick preparation that makes busy evenings delicious. This recipe is incredibly useful for anyone seeking a satisfying, one-pot meal that's both easy to make and a joy to eat.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
minutes 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound Italian chicken sausage, casings removed and crumbled
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat)
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • Slotted spoon

Method
 

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the crumbled chicken sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the drippings in the skillet.
    1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 pound Italian chicken sausage, casings removed and crumbled
  2. Add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet with the sausage drippings. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for another minute until fragrant.
    1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped, 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat)
  3. Add the uncooked orzo pasta to the skillet and stir it with the onion and garlic mixture. Toast the orzo for about 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until it becomes lightly golden and fragrant. This step adds a lovely nutty flavor to the final dish.
    1 cup orzo pasta
  4. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the orzo is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
    4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  5. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Return the cooked chicken sausage to the skillet. Continue to cook, stirring gently, until the sauce has thickened and is heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
    1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving, 1 pound Italian chicken sausage, casings removed and crumbled
  6. Add the fresh spinach to the skillet. Stir it into the creamy orzo and sausage mixture until it wilts, which should only take a minute or two.
    2 cups fresh spinach
  7. Taste the Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley.
    Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving, Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Notes

This dish reheats well on the stovetop with a splash of liquid, or in the microwave. It also freezes well for up to 2-3 months.