Description
A quick and comforting one-pan dinner featuring creamy sauce, tender orzo, and savory chicken sausage. Ready in 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces chicken sausage (mild Italian-style, sliced into bite-size pieces)
- 1 cup orzo pasta (170g)
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth (600ml)
- ½ cup heavy cream (120ml)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (50g)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (30ml)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- A handful fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced chicken sausage and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 5-6 minutes. Remove sausage and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add orzo to the skillet and toast for about 2 minutes until it smells nutty.
- Pour in 2 ½ cups chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and most liquid is absorbed. Add more broth or water if it looks dry before orzo is done.
- Remove lid and stir in ½ cup heavy cream and browned sausage pieces. Add grated Parmesan and stir until melted and creamy. Add more broth or cream if sauce is too thick.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top.
- Serve warm immediately.
Notes
Toast the orzo before adding broth to enhance flavor. Use a lid while simmering to cook orzo evenly. Slice sausage thin for better browning and distribution. Stir gently after adding cream to avoid sauce separation. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is recommended for best flavor and texture. If heavy cream is unavailable, half-and-half or a mixture of milk and flour can be used to thicken the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 of the rec
- Calories: 420
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: chicken sausage, orzo, creamy skillet, comfort food, one-pan dinner, easy dinner, weeknight meal