Description
A comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender orzo pasta, juicy chicken sausage, and vibrant broccoli, all cooked in savory chicken broth.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz chicken sausage, sliced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Slice chicken sausage into ½-inch rounds. Cut broccoli into bite-sized florets. Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Measure out the orzo, chicken broth, Parmesan, and lemon juice. Keep salt and pepper handy.
- Sauté Sausage and Broccoli: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the sliced chicken sausage for about 6-10 minutes, then transfer to a plate. Add broccoli florets to the skillet; cook for 6-9 minutes until crisp-tender, then transfer to the plate.
- Sauté Aromatics and Toast Orzo: Reduce heat to medium. Add the diced onion to the skillet; cook for 5-7 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Toss in the dry orzo pasta and toast for 1-2 minutes.
- Cook Orzo: Pour in the chicken broth. Bring to a gentle simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring halfway, until orzo is tender.
- Combine and Finish: Uncover the skillet and return the cooked sausage and broccoli to the pan. Stir in Parmesan cheese and lemon juice until melted and creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Serve: Dish out immediately, garnished with fresh herbs if desired, and sprinkle with extra Parmesan.
Notes
For a creamy baked version, transfer to an oven-safe dish, top with cheese, and bake at 350°F until bubbly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 40mg