Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo Skillet
Busy weeknights call for this one-pan chicken sausage broccoli orzo skillet. Creamy orzo, bright broccoli, and cheesy goodness in 25 minutes with minimal cleanup.
Equipment
- 12-inch Skillet with Lid
- Wooden Spoon
- Box Grater
Ingredients
- 12 oz chicken sausage (fully cooked, garlic herb or sun-dried tomato)
- 1 cup orzo
- 3 cups frozen broccoli florets (do not thaw)
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- to taste olive oil, for cooking
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tbsp milk or cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
Instructions
- Brown the sausage: Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high. Add sausage coins in a single layer and cook without moving for 2 minutes. Flip and cook 1 minute more. Transfer to a plate.
- Toast the orzo: Add another tiny drizzle of oil to the pan. Add orzo and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes until it smells nutty and turns a shade darker.
- Add aromatics: Toss in minced garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes if using. Stir 30 seconds until fragrant. Do not let garlic burn.
- Deglaze and cook: Pour in chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits. Bring to a simmer.
- Add broccoli: Dump frozen broccoli into the pan, nestling it into the liquid. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 10 minutes.
- Finish and serve: Remove lid. Return sausage to pan, add shredded cheddar and a splash of milk or cream if desired. Stir until cheese melts. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Serve immediately.
Notes
Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Orzo will continue to absorb liquid; add a splash of broth or water when reheating.
Freezer: Yes, but texture softens. Thaw overnight in fridge.
Make it yours: Use GF orzo for gluten-free, dairy-free cheese for dairy-free, or add fresh spinach with the broth for extra veggies. For a kid-friendly version, skip red pepper flakes and use mild cheddar.
Freezer: Yes, but texture softens. Thaw overnight in fridge.
Make it yours: Use GF orzo for gluten-free, dairy-free cheese for dairy-free, or add fresh spinach with the broth for extra veggies. For a kid-friendly version, skip red pepper flakes and use mild cheddar.