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One Pan Chicken Sausage Orzo

A flavorful and hearty one-pan dish featuring chicken sausage, orzo pasta, and colorful vegetables, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken and Vegetables
  • 1 lb chicken sausage sliced into rounds
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper diced
  • 1 medium zucchini diced
  • 1 cup spinach fresh, roughly chopped
For the Orzo and Seasoning
  • 1 cup orzo pasta uncooked
  • 3 cups chicken broth low sodium recommended
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional for heat
For Garnish
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped

Method
 

Cook the Chicken Sausage
  1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned. This step adds flavor and texture to the sausage.
Sauté the Vegetables
  1. Add the diced onion, garlic, red bell pepper, and zucchini to the skillet. Sauté for another 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Stirring helps to evenly cook the vegetables and release their flavors.
Add Orzo and Broth
  1. Stir in the uncooked orzo, chicken broth, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Simmer
  1. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for about 10-12 minutes, or until the orzo is cooked and has absorbed most of the liquid. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Finish with Spinach
  1. Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the chopped spinach until wilted. This adds freshness and nutrients to the dish.
Serve
  1. Serve the orzo mixture warm, garnished with grated parmesan cheese and chopped parsley for added flavor and presentation.

Notes

For a creamier dish, you can stir in a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of cream cheese just before serving.