Description
This Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender orzo pasta cooked to perfection and combined with browned chicken sausage, sautéed onions and garlic, creamy heavy cream, sweet peas, and rich Parmesan cheese. It’s an easy-to-make skillet recipe with a luscious sauce that makes for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Orzo and Sausage
- 8 oz (about 2 cups) orzo pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound chicken sausage, sliced
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen peas
Liquids and Cheese
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasoning and Garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Orzo: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the orzo according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Brown the Chicken Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook until browned on both sides, about 5 to 7 minutes. Once browned, remove from the skillet and set aside to keep warm.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Using the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook until translucent and softened, around 3 to 4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Create the Sauce Base: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir in the heavy cream and frozen peas, cooking until the peas are heated through and the sauce begins to thicken slightly.
- Combine Sausage and Orzo: Return the cooked chicken sausage to the skillet. Add the drained orzo pasta and gently stir to combine all the ingredients and evenly coat the pasta in the creamy sauce.
- Add Cheese and Season: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce, giving it a rich, creamy texture. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve: Serve the creamy chicken sausage orzo hot, optionally garnished with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
Notes
- Use mild or spicy chicken sausage depending on your heat preference.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Fresh peas can be used instead of frozen if in season.
- Parmesan cheese can be replaced or supplemented with Pecorino Romano for a sharper flavor.
- To make it gluten free, use gluten-free orzo pasta or substitute with rice or quinoa.
