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An extreme close-up shot of the creamy orzo pasta with bits of chicken sausage and broccoli, highlighting the cheesy texture of the dish.

Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Orzo: Your New Favorite 30-Minute Meal

Discover your new weeknight favorite with this one-pot Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Orzo. Ready in under 30 minutes, this easy recipe combines savory sausage, tender broccoli, and orzo in a light, cheesy garlic sauce.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian-American
Calories: 520

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 12 oz Cooked Chicken Sausage sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
  • 1 Shallot finely minced
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1.5 cups Orzo uncooked
  • 4 cups Chicken Broth low sodium recommended
  • 1 head Broccoli cut into small florets, about 3 cups
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
  • 1 tbsp Lemon Juice freshly squeezed
  • 0.25 tsp Red Pepper Flakes or to taste
  • Salt and Black Pepper to taste

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet or Dutch Oven
  • 1 Cutting Board
  • 1 Chef's Knife

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook until browned on both sides, about 4-5 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
  2. Reduce heat to medium. Add the minced shallot to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Add the uncooked orzo to the skillet and stir constantly for about 1 minute until it's lightly toasted.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth, stir everything together, and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover partially, and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is nearly al dente.
  5. Stir the broccoli florets into the orzo. Continue to simmer for another 3-4 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender-crisp and the orzo is fully cooked. Return the browned sausage to the pan to warm through.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, fresh lemon juice, and red pepper flakes until the cheese is melted and a light sauce forms. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Notes

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. You may need to add a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen the sauce.