Name: Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo Skillet
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
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; ¼ cup full-fat canned coconut milk or heavy cream; 1 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce; 1 tsp onion powder; ½ tsp red pepper flakes; ½ tsp black pepper; ¼ tsp salt; 1 tsp fresh or dried thyme; ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese; 2 cups baby spinach leaves

Description

This creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo Skillet is a one-pan wonder featuring spicy Italian chicken sausage, garlic, and orzo pasta, all simmered in a rich coconut milk (or heavy cream) sauce. Finished with parmesan and fresh spinach, it’s a savory, comforting meal that’s ready in no time.

Ingredients

Scale

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
¼ cup full-fat canned coconut milk or heavy cream
1 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp red pepper flakes
½ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp fresh or dried thyme
½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
2 cups baby spinach leaves

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Cook the sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set it aside.
Sauté the garlic: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Cook the orzo: Add the orzo to the skillet and stir for a minute to coat in the oil and garlic. Pour in the chicken broth, coconut milk (or cream), soy sauce, onion powder, red pepper flakes, black pepper, salt, and thyme. Stir everything together and bring to a boil.
Simmer: Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for about 10 minutes or until the orzo is tender and the liquid has absorbed.
Finish the dish: Add the cooked sausage back into the skillet along with the baby spinach and grated parmesan cheese. Stir until the spinach wilts and the cheese melts, creating a creamy sauce.
Serve: Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary. Serve warm and enjoy.

Notes

You can substitute the coconut milk for heavy cream if you prefer a richer taste, but coconut milk gives it a unique, lighter flavor.
Feel free to add more veggies, such as mushrooms or bell peppers, for extra texture and flavor.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Skillet/One-pan meal
Cuisine: Italian-American