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Close up shot of creamy orzo pasta with light-yellow garlic sauce, bright green broccoli florets, and browned chicken sausage slices.
FL Recipes

Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Orzo: A Creamy One-Pan Masterpiece

This one-pan Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Orzo features seared sausage, charred broccoli florets, and tender pasta tossed in a thick, glossy, light-yellow garlic cream sauce.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian-American
Calories: 580

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil
  • 14 oz (400g) chicken sausage fully cooked, sliced on a thick diagonal
  • 2 cups (180g) fresh broccoli florets bite-sized
  • 3 tbsp (45g) unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup (160g) dry orzo pasta
  • 2.5 cups (590ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 0.5 cup (120ml) heavy cream
  • 0.5 cup (45g) parmesan cheese finely grated, plus extra for garnish
  • 0.25 cup (10g) fresh green parsley chopped
  • 0.5 tsp (2g) cracked black pepper
  • 0.5 tsp (3g) kosher salt to taste

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet A heavy-bottomed pan like cast iron or stainless steel.
  • 1 Chef's Knife For slicing the sausage on a thick diagonal.

Method
 

Cooking Instructions
  1. Heat 1 tbsp (15ml) of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add thick diagonal slices of chicken sausage in a single layer. Sear for 2-3 minutes until deep, crispy browned edges form. Flip, sear the other side, then transfer to a plate.
  2. In the same skillet, add 2 cups (180g) of bite-sized broccoli florets to the residual fat. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until bright green and tender with slightly charred edges. Remove and set aside with the sausage.
  3. Lower heat to medium and melt 3 tbsp (45g) of unsalted butter in the skillet. Add 1 cup (160g) of dry orzo pasta, tossing continuously until lightly toasted. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Pour in 2.5 cups (590ml) of chicken broth, scraping up the browned bits from the pan. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes until the orzo is tender and liquid is mostly absorbed.
  5. Stir in 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream and 1/2 cup (45g) finely grated parmesan cheese over low heat. Stir constantly until it emulsifies into a thick, glossy, light-yellow garlic sauce.
  6. Fold the seared sausage and charred broccoli back into the skillet. Season with kosher salt. Serve in a bowl garnished with extra finely grated parmesan, chopped fresh green parsley, and cracked black pepper.

Nutrition

Calories: 580kcalProtein: 24gFat: 38gFiber: 3g

Notes

Do not rinse the orzo before cooking; the surface starch is required to thicken the glossy sauce.
Grate your parmesan from a fresh block for the smoothest melt without graininess.
Keyword Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Orzo,creamy orzo pasta,one pan dinner

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