why make this recipe
Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo Skillet is a delicious and satisfying one-pan meal. It combines flavorful chicken sausage with creamy ingredients and tender orzo pasta. This dish is not only easy to prepare but also quick to cook, making it perfect for weeknight dinners. With the added nutrition from spinach, it’s a complete meal that everyone will love.
how to make Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo Skillet
Ingredients :
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 12 oz spicy Italian chicken sausage (sliced)
- 6 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup orzo (dry)
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 cup full-fat canned coconut milk (or heavy cream)
- 1 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp fresh or dried thyme
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups baby spinach leaves
Directions :
- Drizzle olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the sliced chicken sausage and cook until it’s browned and cooked through (about 6-7 minutes).
- Add in the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds.
- Stir in the dry orzo and toast it in the pan for about a minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan. Then add in the coconut milk, soy sauce, onion powder, red pepper flakes, black pepper, salt, and thyme. Mix well.
- Bring to a boil, lower the heat, cover, and let simmer for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the spinach leaves and cook until wilted, then mix in the parmesan cheese.
- Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Serve warm.
how to serve Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo Skillet
Serve Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo Skillet warm in bowls. You can sprinkle extra parmesan cheese on top for added flavor. Pair it with a simple salad or garlic bread for a complete meal that is sure to impress.
how to store Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo Skillet
To store leftovers, let the dish cool completely. Place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When you are ready to eat, simply reheat in the microwave or on the stove.
tips to make Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo Skillet
- Feel free to use different types of sausage or chicken, such as turkey sausage or grilled chicken, depending on your preference.
- You can add any vegetables you have on hand like bell peppers or mushrooms for extra nutrition.
- Make sure to adjust the seasonings to your taste, especially if you prefer more spice.
variation
You can also make a vegetarian version by using plant-based sausage and substituting vegetable broth for chicken broth.
FAQs
Can I use regular pasta instead of orzo?
Yes, you can use any small pasta instead of orzo. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time as needed.
Is it possible to make this dish dairy-free?
Yes! You can replace the parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without dairy.
Can I freeze leftovers?
It’s best to eat this dish fresh, but you can freeze leftovers in an airtight container. Just note that the texture may change when thawed and reheated.
Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo Skillet
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Paleo
Description
A delicious one-pan meal that combines flavorful chicken sausage, creamy ingredients, and tender orzo pasta, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 12 oz spicy Italian chicken sausage (sliced)
- 6 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup orzo (dry)
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 cup full-fat canned coconut milk (or heavy cream)
- 1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp fresh or dried thyme
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups baby spinach leaves
Instructions
- Drizzle olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the sliced chicken sausage and cook until it’s browned and cooked through (about 6-7 minutes).
- Add in the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds.
- Stir in the dry orzo and toast it in the pan for about a minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan. Then add in the coconut milk, soy sauce, onion powder, red pepper flakes, black pepper, salt, and thyme. Mix well.
- Bring to a boil, lower the heat, cover, and let simmer for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the spinach leaves and cook until wilted, then mix in the parmesan cheese.
- Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Serve warm.
Notes
Feel free to use different types of sausage or chicken, and add any vegetables on hand for extra nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: chicken sausage, orzo, skillet meal, quick dinner, one-pan meal