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Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Orzo

Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Orzo
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A quick, healthy, and delicious one-pan meal featuring tender chicken sausage, vibrant broccoli florets, and delicate orzo pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, this dish offers balanced nutrition with savory, comforting flavors perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 12 oz fully cooked chicken sausage (spicy or Italian-style), sliced into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare and Brown the Sausage: Slice chicken sausage into bite-sized pieces and heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook until browned and slightly crisp around the edges, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  2. Sauté Garlic and Broccoli: In the same skillet, add a little more olive oil if needed and toss in minced garlic. Sauté briefly until fragrant, then add broccoli florets. Cook for 3-4 minutes until broccoli is tender-crisp but still vibrant green.
  3. Cook Orzo with Broth: Add uncooked orzo to the skillet along with chicken broth. Stir to combine, bring to a simmer, and cover. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo absorbs the broth and becomes tender.
  4. Combine and Finish: Return the browned sausage to the skillet, mix well with orzo and broccoli. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and lemon zest for creamy and fresh notes. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then serve warm.

Notes

  • Use pre-cooked sausage to speed up cooking and maintain sausage shape.
  • Don’t overcook the broccoli; keep it bright and crunchy.
  • Toast the orzo briefly in the skillet for extra nutty flavor before adding broth.
  • Reserve some broth to add if the orzo dries out during cooking.
  • Fresh lemon zest adds fragrant brightness balancing the rich sausage and cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken sausage, broccoli, orzo, quick dinner, one-pan meal, healthy recipe, easy recipe

Find it online: https://gourmetglazing.com/chicken-sausage-and-broccoli-orzo/