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Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 149 reviews

A flavorful and easy one-pan meal featuring tender chicken sausage, nutritious broccoli, and creamy orzo pasta, all brightened with fresh lemon and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner packed with comfort and zest.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb (450 g) chicken sausage, sliced into rounds (precooked or raw)
  • 1 ½ cups (285 g) orzo pasta
  • 3 cups (275 g) broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
  • 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth or reserved pasta cooking water
  • ½ cup (50 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp lemon zest (about 1 lemon)
  • 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the orzo: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook until al dente, about 8 to 9 minutes. In the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to blanch them. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water if not using chicken broth, then drain the orzo and broccoli and set aside.
  2. Cook the sausage: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer the cooked sausage to a plate and keep warm.
  3. Make the garlic base: In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Sauté the minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Pour in the chicken broth or reserved pasta water to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits.
  4. Combine everything: Add the cooked orzo and broccoli back into the skillet. Stir in the butter, Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice until everything is well mixed and creamy. Return the cooked sausage to the pan and toss to combine all ingredients evenly.
  5. Season and serve: Adjust seasoning with salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes for a bit of heat. Serve the dish warm with extra Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top if desired.

Notes

  • Use precooked or raw chicken sausage according to your preference; cooking time for raw may be slightly longer.
  • Fresh or frozen broccoli both work well; just make sure to add frozen broccoli earlier to ensure even cooking.
  • Reserving pasta water adds starch to the sauce, improving texture if not using chicken broth.
  • For a spicier kick, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
  • To make this dish vegetarian, substitute the chicken sausage with a plant-based alternative and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.

Keywords: chicken sausage, broccoli, orzo, skillet dinner, lemon, Parmesan, easy weeknight meal

Find it online: https://freshrecipehub.com/chicken-sausage-broccoli-orzo-recipe/