Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Orzo Recipe You Will Love

Steam rising. Garlic sizzling. That soft snap broccoli makes when it hits a hot panI swear it takes me right back to the dinner table at Grandma’s every time. This Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Orzo Recipe is cozy, a little creamy, and done in under 30 minutes. It’s been making its rounds lately, and not just in our house. One-pot meals with real flavor are having a serious moment.

You start with seared chicken sausagesmoky and savorythen toss it with tender broccoli and that tiny, pasta-like orzo that soaks up all the good stuff. Think comfort food that behaves itself. Like your favorite casserole, but lighter, quicker, and without the cheese overload. Everything cooks nicely in one skillet, so cleanup is nothing. It’s weeknight gold.

I first made this back in the spring of 2020, when we were all home searching for simplicity. My husband took one bite and said, “Tastes like something Mom would’ve made if she had Instagram.” I’ll never forget laughing through a mouthful of orzo. The trick? Toast the orzo first in the panbrings out a warm, nutty flavor that makes it sing. After a decade of writing cozy, balanced recipes, this one’s a keeper in both flavor and feelings.

Olivia Farnsworth

Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Orzo Recipe You Will Love

Enjoy this easy Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Orzo Recipe, a flavorful and family friendly dinner that combines tender chicken sausage, fresh broccoli, and creamy orzo. Perfect as a one pot orzo recipe, it’s a simple yet satisfying meal that everyone will love.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 420

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb chicken sausage, sliced
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 ½ cups orzo pasta
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cups chicken broth
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method

 

1. In a large skillet, cook the chicken sausage slices until browned. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
2. In the same skillet, sauté the garlic and onion until fragrant.
3. Add the broccoli florets and cook until slightly tender.
4. Stir in the orzo pasta and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer.
5. Cover and cook for about 10-12 minutes or until the orzo is cooked through.
6. Add the cooked chicken sausage back to the skillet and mix well.
7. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the dish and season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Serve warm and enjoy your easy chicken sausage dinner.

Notes

• For extra flavor, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or fresh herbs like parsley. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• One-Pot Wonder: Everything cooks in one skillet, so cleanup is a breezeperfect for busy weeknights. Less time scrubbing, more time savoring!
• Comfort Meets Healthy: With a perfect balance of protein-packed chicken sausage, fresh broccoli, and light, tender orzo, this dish feels wonderfully indulgent without being too heavy.
• Quick and Easy: From chopping to serving, dinner is ready in just about 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for even your busiest evenings.
• Family-Friendly: Its mild, savory flavors are appealing enough for picky eaters, yet robust and satisfying enough to please a crowd.

Key Ingredients and Practical Tips

This recipe relies on easy-to-find ingredients you may already have in your fridge and pantry. Here’s how they shine:

• Chicken Sausage: Pre-cooked sausage adds smoky, savory flavor in minutes. Choose your favorite varietygarlic, Italian, or even spicy for a kick!
• Broccoli: Fresh florets add a pop of green, essential nutrients, and a delightful soft crunch. Feel free to chop your broccoli small for quicker cooking and easier bites.
• Orzo Pasta: This tiny, rice-shaped pasta creates a wonderfully creamy texture as it absorbs the rich broth. Toasting it lightly in the pan first dramatically elevates its nutty, complex flavor.
• Garlic and Onion: The aromatic base that makes everything better! Don’t skimp on sautéing until golden and fragrant for maximum depth of flavor.
• Chicken Broth: The liquid foundation that enhances the overall richness of the dish as the orzo slowly soaks it up, infusing every grain with savory goodness.
• Parmesan Cheese: A salty, cheesy, umami-rich finish that ties everything together. It’s the “I love you” of toppings, adding that perfect final flourish.

Recipe At a Glance

Get ready for a flavor-packed, one-pan meal that comes together in a flash! Here’s what you need to know to get started on this delicious Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Orzo.

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 20-25 minutes
• Yields: 4 servings

Full Ingredient List

Gather these simple ingredients to create your delicious Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Orzo:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb (450g) pre-cooked chicken sausage, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds (garlic or Italian variety recommended)
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups (about 1 lb) broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup (170g) orzo pasta
• 3 cups (720ml) chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Optional: Pinch of red pepper flakes for a kick, fresh parsley for garnish

Equipment Needed

• Large skillet with a tight-fitting lid (at least 10-inch)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Cutting board and knife

How to Make Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Orzo: Step-by-Step

Ready to get cooking? Follow these simple steps for a truly delicious and satisfying one-pot meal. The magic happens quickly, so have your ingredients prepped and ready!

1. Brown the Sausage: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet (with a lid) over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until nicely browned and slightly crispy on the edges. Transfer the browned sausage to a plate and set aside, leaving any rendered fat and delicious browned bits in the pan.
2. Sauté Your Flavor Base: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion to the same skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
3. Broccoli Boost: Add the bite-sized broccoli florets to the skillet. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until they start to brighten in color and are slightly tender-crisp. You still want a little bite!
4. Toast the Orzo: Stir in the 1 cup of orzo pasta with the vegetables. Toast for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the orzo turns a very light golden color. This extra step truly enhances its nutty, deeper flavor.
5. Simmer Away: Pour in 3 cups of chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and cook for 10-12 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom, until the orzo has absorbed most of the broth and is tender.
6. Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken sausage to the skillet. Stir everything together gently to combine. Remove from heat, stir in 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. If desired, garnish with fresh parsley and a pinch of red pepper flakes before serving.

Pro Tip for Creaminess: If your orzo absorbs the broth too quickly and the dish looks dry before the pasta is fully tender, don’t hesitate to add a splash more broth (or even water), a quarter cup at a time, to achieve a perfectly creamy consistency. This ensures your orzo remains luscious!

Make It Your Own: Tweak and Transform

This recipe is super flexible and forgiving! Here are a few ideas for simple swaps or delicious additions to truly make it your own:

• Vegetables: Easily swap broccoli for other seasonal favorites like zucchini, spinach, or asparagus. Just adjust cook times slightly to ensure they are tender-crisp.
• Cheese: No Parmesan on hand? Pecorino Romano offers a sharper, saltier kick, or even a sprinkle of crumbled feta works beautifully for a tangy twist.
• Spices: Love a bit of heat? A pinch of red pepper flakes added with the garlic goes a long way to awaken the palate.
• Broth: Using low-sodium chicken broth gives you more control over the saltiness. For a vegetarian-friendly swap, simply use vegetable broth, especially if you opt for plant-based sausage!

Ingredient Swap Ideas

Serving and Storing Tips

• Serving: This is truly a one-pan meal! Dish it up straight from the skillet for a casual, family-style dinner. It pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or some crusty garlic bread for extra comfort vibes.
• Leftover Storage: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. When reheating, gently warm on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of extra broth or water to loosen it back up and restore its creamy texture.

Storage at a Glance

Note: While freezing is technically possible, the orzo can lose its delightful soft and creamy texture upon thawing and reheating. For the best culinary experience, stick to enjoying it fresh or refrigerated.

Nutrition Corner: A Balanced Meal

This Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Orzo Recipe is more than just tasty; it’s a smart choice for a balanced meal. The lean chicken sausage provides satisfying protein, while fresh broccoli packs in essential fiber and vitamins. Combined with the comforting complex carbohydrates from the orzo, this dish delivers steady energy and keeps you full, making it an excellent option for a nutritious family dinner.

For more delicious recipes and cooking inspiration, follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Reddit!

The Story Behind My Cozy Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Orzo

Every great recipe has a bit of a journey, and this Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Orzo Recipe is no different. I remember countless weeknights trying to perfect a dish that was both quick and genuinely comforting. One time, the orzo clumped into a giant, unappetizing mass – a truly memorable kitchen mishap! Another attempt saw the broccoli turn to mush, losing its vibrant color. But after several rounds of tweaking the broth-to-orzo ratio, experimenting with just the right amount of sautéing for the vegetables, and finding that sweet spot for spices, I finally landed on this winning combination. It truly took a few tries to capture that perfect balance of cozy comfort and healthy goodness that my family absolutely adores today, making all those “experiments” worth it in the end.

FAQs ( Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Orzo Recipe )

Conclusion

This Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Orzo Recipe is truly the kind of dish you’ll instinctively reach for when you crave something cozy, quick, and bursting with flavorall coming together beautifully in about 30 minutes. The tender orzo soaking up savory broth, with that smoky, browned sausage and bright, crisp-tender broccoli, makes dinner feel like a warm, comforting hug after a busy day. Trust me, you’ll want to make it again (and again!).

Remember, this recipe is wonderfully adaptable! Feel free to swap in your favorite seasonal veggies or add a generous sprinkle of feta if Parmesan’s not on hand. Leftovers reheat beautifully with just a splash of extra broth, keeping things creamy and fresh for lunch the next day. And don’t forget that little trick I love: toasting the orzo first really does give it that subtle nuttiness that makes all the difference, just like Grandma might’ve done in her kitchen to elevate simple flavors.

Give this a try in your own kitchen and share your kitchen wins! Did this remind you of a family favorite or bring a new wave of comfort to your table? Pass it on to those you love, and enjoy every fragrant, homey bite together. This one’s truly a keeper!