Description
A quick and easy one-pot meal combining flavorful chicken sausage, fresh broccoli, and tender orzo pasta, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340g) chicken sausage, sliced or crumbled
- 1 cup (170g) orzo pasta
- 2 cups (150g) broccoli florets, chopped
- 1 small onion (about 100g), diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups (720ml) chicken broth, low-sodium recommended
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup (25g) Parmesan cheese, optional
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add sliced or crumbled chicken sausage and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove sausage to a plate and set aside.
- In the same pan, add diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add orzo to the pan and stir continuously for about 2 minutes to toast slightly.
- Pour in 3 cups chicken broth, scraping any browned bits off the bottom. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover with lid and cook for 10 minutes.
- Stir in broccoli florets and browned sausage. Cover and cook for another 5-7 minutes until orzo is tender and broccoli is crisp-tender.
- Remove from heat. Stir in Parmesan cheese and fresh lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve warm immediately.
Notes
[‘Do not skip toasting the orzo for better texture and flavor.’, ‘Keep the pan covered to trap steam and cook orzo evenly.’, ‘Adjust broth amount based on orzo brand to avoid mushiness.’, ‘Slice sausage thinly for better browning and flavor distribution.’, ‘Add fresh lemon juice at the end to brighten the dish.’, ‘Avoid overcooking broccoli; it should be crisp-tender.’, ‘Add cayenne pepper for extra heat if desired.’, ‘Prep ingredients before cooking to save time.’]
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 380
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 25
Keywords: chicken sausage, broccoli, orzo, one pot meal, healthy dinner, quick dinner, easy recipe