Name: Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Orzo
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb chicken sausage, sliced; 2 cups broccoli florets, roughly chopped; 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 onion, chopped; 4 cups chicken broth; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; Salt and pepper to taste

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Short, Catchy Intro

So you are craving something tasty but too lazy to spend forever in the kitchen, huh? Same. This Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Orzo is the kind of meal that makes you feel like you cooked all day when you actually did like 20 minutes of decent work. Quick, cozy, and slightly smug when you serve it to people. Want to level it up even more? Try pairing it with a tangy sauce I love for stir fries, like this beef and broccoli stir fry sauce idea for inspiration on flavor balance.

Why This Recipe is Awesome

It hits the comfort food sweet spot without needing an hour or a dozen pans.
It is idiot proof. Seriously, even I did not mess it up the first time.
Sausage brings the flavor punch, broccoli brings the green vibes, orzo brings the carb hug. That is all you need.
This dish doubles as lunch next day magic. Reheat and pretend you planned ahead.
One skillet, minimal cleanup. Yes, you read that right. Less washing means more time to eat dessert.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 lb chicken sausage, sliced. Use your favorite kind. Spicy, mild, or fancy fennel stuff.
2 cups broccoli florets, roughly chopped so bites are uniform.
1 1/2 cups orzo pasta. Not rice. Orzo. You know it.
3 cloves garlic, minced. More if you are bold.
1 onion, chopped. Yellow or white works. Red is fine if you like pink onions.
4 cups chicken broth. Box, homemade, or vibe-enhanced water plus bouillon.
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Grate it fresh if you want to feel like a chef.
Salt and pepper to taste. Don’t be shy with the pepper.

Step-by-Step Instructions

In a large skillet, cook the chicken sausage slices until browned. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, sauté the garlic and onion until fragrant. Hit it with a pinch of salt to help the onion sweat.
Add the broccoli florets and cook until slightly tender. Keep them a little crunchy unless you love mush.
Stir in the orzo pasta and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer. Stir once or twice so the orzo does not stick.
Cover and cook for about 10 to 12 minutes or until the orzo is cooked through. Peek once to check texture.
Add the cooked chicken sausage back to the skillet and mix well. Heat everything through so flavors marry.
Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the dish and season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust. Serve hot.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Thinking you can skip browning the sausage. Browning adds flavor. Do the browning.
Overcooking the broccoli until it becomes sad. Keep it slightly crisp unless you like green mush.
Using water instead of broth and hoping for miracles. Broth brings depth. Water is just wet.
Forgetting to stir the orzo occasionally. It will cling to the bottom if you ignore it.
Adding all the salt at the beginning instead of tasting at the end. Salt accumulates. Taste first, then season.
Trying to multi-task so hard that you forget the stove exists. Your smoke alarm does not need new material.

Alternatives & Substitutions

No chicken sausage? Use turkey sausage, pork sausage, or even sliced kielbasa. Sausage is forgiving.
Need vegetarian? Swap sausage for smoked tempeh or a plant based sausage and use vegetable broth. IMO it still slaps.
No orzo on hand? Use any small pasta like ditalini or small shells. Cook times might vary a bit.
Dairy free? Skip the Parmesan and add a squeeze of lemon and a drizzle of olive oil for brightness.
Want more veg? Toss in spinach, cherry tomatoes, or peas during the last few minutes of cooking. They wilt fast.
Spicy fan? Add red pepper flakes when you sauté the garlic. Simple and effective.
Short on time? Buy pre-chopped broccoli or frozen florets. They cook fast and save you five precious minutes.

FAQ

Can I use a different kind of pasta instead of orzo? Sure, why not? Use another small shape, but keep an eye on cook time because pasta sizes vary.
Can I prep this ahead? Totally. Cook it, cool it, and store in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat gently and add a splash of broth if it dries out.
Is this freezer friendly? You can freeze it, but texture changes a bit. Fresh is best. If you freeze, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat slowly.
Can I make this gluten free? Yep. Use a gluten free orzo or short pasta and check that your sausage and broth are GF. Many are, but read labels.
What if my sausage is raw and huge slices? No drama. Cut into smaller pieces and cook through fully before removing from the pan. Ensure internal temp hits safe levels.
Can I skip the cheese? Yes. Skip it if you must, but Parmesan really ties things together, like the friend who brings dessert to a party.
Want more sauce? Add a splash of cream or a dollop of cream cheese at the end and stir until silky. Not necessary, but very nice.

Final Thoughts

This dish is the best kind of weeknight win. It feels fancy but moves quick. It feeds a small army or one very hungry person. Play with flavors, try different sausages, toss in herbs, or make it lemony. Cooking is about experimenting and eating immediate rewards. If you ever need to impress without trying too hard, this is your move. Now go impress someone or yourself with your new culinary skills. You have earned it. FYI this freezes okay but tastes better fresh. Enjoy.

Conclusion

For inspiration on similar skillet meals try this version with a slightly different twist at Chicken Sausage, Broccoli, and Orzo Skillet – Lolo Home Kitchen. If you want another take with helpful step photos, check out Chicken Sausage Orzo Skillet with Broccoli – Julia Pacheco. For a lemony, vegan friendly spin on orzo and broccoli, have a look at Lemon Garlic Orzo & Broccoli Skillet With Sausage (Vegan & GF ….