Description

Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo is a delicious one-pot meal that combines savory chicken sausage with tender orzo pasta, fresh vegetables, and a rich, creamy sauce. Perfect for easy weeknight dinners, this comforting dish is packed with flavor and simple to make using just one skillet or pot.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

1 pound chicken sausage, sliced

Vegetables

1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup spinach, chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

Dairy

1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Pantry

1 cup orzo pasta
4 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil

Garnish

Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Prepare Ingredients: Gather all the ingredients, slice the chicken sausage into bite-sized pieces, dice the onion, mince the garlic, chop the spinach, and halve the cherry tomatoes to ensure a smooth cooking process.
Cook Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute without burning.
Cook Tomatoes: Add cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften.
Add Broth and Orzo: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Stir in the orzo pasta, reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes until orzo is al dente, stirring occasionally.
Add Cream and Seasonings: Stir in the heavy cream, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste, creating the creamy base of the dish.
Combine Sausage and Spinach: Fold in the cooked chicken sausage and chopped spinach. Allow the spinach to wilt and incorporate evenly.
Finish with Cheese: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese to enhance creaminess and flavor.
Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Remove from heat and serve garnished with fresh basil if desired.
Store and Reheat: Cool leftovers completely before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce.

Notes

Use your preferred type of chicken sausage – spicy, sweet, or herb-infused for different flavor profiles.
Be careful not to burn the garlic when sautéing to avoid bitterness.
Stir orzo occasionally while cooking to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the skillet.
Adjust seasoning gradually, starting with small amounts of salt and pepper, to suit your taste.
For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a low-fat cream alternative.
Fresh basil garnish adds a lovely fresh aroma, but it is optional.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: chicken sausage, orzo pasta, creamy one-pot meal, easy dinner, weeknight recipe, Italian seasoning, spinach, cherry tomatoes