Okay, so weeknights can be a *whole* thing, right? Between work, school, and just life, the last thing I want is a sink full of dishes. That’s exactly how I discovered the magic of this Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo. It’s become my go-to because, honestly, it’s ridiculously flavorful and comes together in one pan. Like, seriously, imagine a delicious, hearty meal with minimal cleanup – it’s a weeknight dinner dream come true!
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo
This Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo is a weeknight savior, and here’s why:
- Seriously Easy Cleanup: It’s a one-pan meal, people! Everything cooks right in the skillet, meaning fewer dishes. Yay!
- Super Quick: We’re talking dinner on the table in under 40 minutes. Perfect for when you’re starving and short on time.
- Packed with Flavor: The savory chicken sausage, tender orzo, and bright broccoli are a match made in heaven.
- Totally Satisfying: It’s hearty and comforting, making everyone at the table completely happy.
Gather Your Ingredients for Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo
Alright, let’s get our lineup ready for this amazing Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo! You probably have most of this stuff already, which is another reason I love it so much. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Olive Oil: Just 1 tablespoon to get things started in the pan.
- Chicken Sausage: 1 pound, sliced into bite-sized pieces. Choose your favorite kind – spicy, mild, whatever floats your boat!
- Onion: 1 medium onion, chopped up. Make sure it’s chopped pretty small so it cooks down nicely.
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced. Oh, the smell of garlic hitting the pan? Pure magic.
- Orzo Pasta: 1 cup of this little pasta gem. It’s like tiny tubes of deliciousness.
- Chicken Broth: 3 cups is what we need for cooking the orzo and making it super flavorful.
- Broccoli Florets: 1 cup. Fresh is best here, just chop up a head into little trees.
- Parmesan Cheese: Half a cup, grated. Because cheese makes everything better, right?
- Fresh Parsley: A quarter cup, chopped up. It adds a lovely freshness at the end.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Just to taste, of course!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo
Alright, let’s get this delicious Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo cooking! It’s so straightforward, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it a million times already. Just follow these steps, and you’re golden!
Brown the Chicken Sausage
First things first, get a nice big skillet over medium-high heat. Pop in about a tablespoon of olive oil, just enough to coat the bottom. Then, toss in your sliced chicken sausage. Let it get nice and browned all over – this is where so much flavor comes from! Once it’s looking good, scoop it out and set it aside on a plate. Don’t clean the pan though, plenty more goodness to come!
Sauté Aromatics for Flavor
Now, into that same skillet, toss your chopped onion. Let it cook down until it’s nice and soft, maybe about 5 minutes. You want it to be a little see-through. If you need a little refresher on how to get those perfect onion pieces, check out this guide on how to chop an onion! Then, add your minced garlic. Be careful, garlic burns fast! Just a minute more, stirring it around until you can really smell that amazing aroma. Seriously, this is the base of our flavor town!
Simmer the Orzo
Okay, time for the orzo! Dump in that cup of orzo pasta and give it a quick stir with the onions and garlic. Then, pour in the chicken broth. Give it a good mix, bring it all up to a boil, and then immediately turn the heat down to low. Cover that skillet up tight and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. You want the orzo to start soaking up all that yummy broth.
Combine and Cook
After those 10 minutes are up, uncover the skillet. Now, add your broccoli florets and that browned chicken sausage back into the pan. Give everything a good stir so it’s all mixed together nicely. Cover it up again and let it cook for another 5 to 7 minutes. You’re looking for the broccoli to be bright green and tender, and for the orzo to be perfectly cooked – not mushy, just right.
Finish and Season Your Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo
And that’s pretty much it! Take the skillet off the heat. Stir in that grated Parmesan cheese and the fresh parsley. Oh, the Parmesan just melts in and makes everything creamy and delicious. Give it a good final mix, then taste it and add salt and pepper as needed. Honestly, this Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo is just screaming for a little seasoning love.
Tips for Perfect Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo
Alright, so you’ve got the basics down for this amazing Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo! But to make it truly shine, here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up:
- Pick a Good Sausage: Honestly, the sausage is a star here. I love using one that has a little bit of seasoning already, like a smoked or Italian-style chicken sausage. It really boosts the flavor without me needing to do extra!
- Don’t Mush the Orzo: Keep an eye on that simmering time for the orzo. You want it *al dente*, meaning it still has a tiny bit of bite to it. If it gets too mushy, the whole dish can turn a bit gummy. Trust me, a little chewiness is perfect!
- Keep the Broccoli Bright: When you add the broccoli, make sure it’s not too old or wilted. Fresh florets will stay bright green and have a lovely pop of texture. Overcooking it turns them a sad, dull green – we want cheerful broccoli!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Let’s talk ingredients for this fantastic Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo! Not everyone has the exact same staples, so don’t sweat it if you need to make a swap, cool?
Chicken Sausage: This is the backbone, so pick something you love! Smoked sausage, Italian-style, even spicy chorizo chicken sausage works if you like a kick. Just make sure it’s chicken – it’s leaner and cooks up so nicely. If you’re not a fan of chicken sausage, regular pork sausage is totally fine too!
Broccoli: Fresh broccoli florets are definitely my top pick because they stay bright and have a nice little crunch. But if you’re in a pinch, frozen broccoli florets work too! Just toss them in frozen; they might just need a minute or two longer to cook through.
Orzo: This little pasta shape is perfect because it cooks up so quickly and soaks in all the yummy flavors. If you don’t have orzo, couscous or even small ditalini pasta would be a decent switch.
Serving and Storing Your Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo
This Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo is pretty fantastic on its own, but I love serving it with a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette. A little crusty bread for soaking up any extra sauce never hurts either! When it comes to leftovers, just let the dish cool a bit, then pop it into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It’ll keep well for about 3-4 days. When you’re ready to reheat, you can totally zap it in the microwave for a minute or two, or give it a quick sauté in a skillet with a splash of broth or water to bring it back to life.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo
Got questions about my go-to Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo? I’ve got answers! People often ask me about making it their own, and I love that!
Can I use different kinds of pasta?
Absolutely! While orzo is perfect because it cooks up so quickly and kind of melts into the dish, you can totally swap it if you need to. Little shells, ditalini, or even elbow macaroni would work. Just follow the package directions for cooking much closer, as they’ll all have different cook times than orzo!
Is this recipe spicy?
Nope, not inherently! The spice level really depends on the chicken sausage you grab. If you like heat, go for a spicy Italian chicken sausage. If you prefer mild, a regular or sweet chicken sausage is perfect. You can always add a pinch of red pepper flakes when you add the garlic if you want a little kick!
How can I make this recipe vegetarian?
That’s an easy one! Just swap out the chicken sausage for your favorite plant-based sausage – there are so many great options out there now. You’ll also want to use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Everything else stays pretty much the same, and it’s still super delicious!
Can I add other vegetables to my Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo?
You bet! This dish is super forgiving. Bell peppers, peas, spinach (stirred in at the very end until it wilts), or even chopped zucchini would be amazing additions. Just get them in the pan with the onions or add them during the last few minutes of cooking, depending on what you’re using.
Nutritional Information
Now, keep in mind this is just a ballpark figure since all the ingredients can vary a bit depending on the brands you use, but a serving of this delicious Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo usually clocks in around:
- Calories: 450-550 kcal
- Protein: 25-30g
- Fat: 15-20g
- Carbohydrates: 40-50g
It’s a pretty balanced meal, which is exactly what I love about it!
Share Your Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo Creation!
I just LOVE hearing about your cooking adventures! Have you tried making this Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo yet? I’m dying to know how it turned out for you. Did you tweak it a bit? Did everyone at your table devour it? Drop a comment below, maybe even share a pic on Insta and tag me – I promise I’ll check it out! Your feedback really helps other cooks too!
Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken sausage and cook until browned. Remove sausage from skillet and set aside.
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Stir in the orzo pasta and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add the broccoli florets and cooked chicken sausage to the skillet. Stir to combine, cover, and cook for another 5-7 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and the broccoli is bright green.
- Remove from heat. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.