One Pan Chicken Sausage Broccoli and Orzo Skillet
One Pan Chicken Sausage Broccoli and Orzo Skillet
This one pan chicken sausage broccoli and orzo skillet is a 25-minute weeknight dinner that tastes like something you’d spend an hour making. Creamy orzo absorbs all the savory flavor from the sausage while broccoli adds freshness and bite. One skillet, minimal dishes, maximum flavor.
Why This Recipe Goes Viral
This style of one-pan orzo skillet has been trending across food blogs and social media for good reason — it’s deeply satisfying, genuinely easy, and has a creamy pasta-style result without any heavy sauce. The orzo cooks directly in the broth and absorbs all the flavors as it simmers.
- One pan — no draining, no extra pots
- 25 minutes total
- Broccoli cooks in the same pan at the right time to stay tender-crisp
- Great for meal prep — holds well in the fridge for 4 days
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) chicken sausage (pre-cooked), sliced into coins
- 1.5 cups (270g) dry orzo pasta
- 2 cups (140g) broccoli florets, cut small
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cups (720ml) chicken broth
- ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream (or whole milk for lighter)
- ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper
- Fresh parsley or basil to serve
How to Make It
Step 1 — Brown the sausage. Heat olive oil in a large wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced chicken sausage and cook 3–4 minutes until browned on both sides. Remove and set aside.
Step 2 — Sauté aromatics. In the same pan, add onion and cook 2 minutes until softened. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 3 — Add orzo and broth. Add dry orzo to the pan and stir for 1 minute to lightly toast it. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a steady simmer. Stir frequently to prevent the orzo from sticking.
Step 4 — Add broccoli. After 5 minutes, when the orzo is half-cooked, add broccoli florets directly into the skillet. Stir them into the orzo and continue simmering for another 5–7 minutes until orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed but it’s still slightly saucy.
Step 5 — Finish. Return sausage to the pan. Stir in Parmesan and Italian seasoning. Taste and season with salt and pepper. The orzo should be creamy and saucy — add a splash of broth if it’s too thick. Serve topped with fresh parsley or basil.
Meal Prep Notes
This skillet keeps 4 days refrigerated. The orzo absorbs more liquid as it sits — when reheating, add 2–3 tablespoons of broth or water and stir over medium heat for 3 minutes. It comes back to its original creamy consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use raw chicken sausage instead of pre-cooked?
Yes — remove from casings and crumble into the pan, or slice and cook until no longer pink (about 7–8 minutes total). Cook thoroughly before removing to add back later, or leave in the pan through the whole process.
Can I make chicken sausage orzo skillet without cream?
Yes — replace the heavy cream with extra chicken broth. The result is slightly less rich but still creamy because of the starch from the orzo. Or use ¼ cup cream cheese for a different creamy texture.
Can I use frozen broccoli?
Yes — add frozen broccoli in the last 5 minutes of cooking (no need to thaw). It will be slightly softer than fresh but still works great in this recipe.
What type of chicken sausage works best?
Pre-cooked chicken sausage (Italian-seasoned or sun-dried tomato are great) slices beautifully and cooks fast. Al fresco, Aidells, and Trader Joe’s all make excellent options. For a more traditional pasta flavor, choose Italian herb seasoned.
Can I substitute orzo with another pasta?
Acini de pepe, small shells, or ditalini work similarly. For rice-based version, use 1.5 cups long-grain white rice and increase broth to 3.5 cups. Cooking time will increase by 10 minutes.
How do I keep the orzo from getting mushy?
Don’t overcook and don’t walk away from the pan. Orzo goes from al dente to mushy quickly — start checking at 8 minutes total. It will continue absorbing liquid off the heat, so pull slightly before it’s 100% done.
Can I make this without broccoli?
Yes — substitute with spinach (stir in at the very end, it wilts in 1 minute), cherry tomatoes, zucchini, or peas. Or skip the vegetables entirely and serve alongside a salad.
Is this chicken sausage orzo skillet good for meal prep?
Yes — one of the best meal prep recipes because it reheats beautifully. Portion into 4 containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Add a splash of broth when reheating to restore the creamy texture.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Use full-fat coconut milk instead of heavy cream and skip the Parmesan (or use a dairy-free Parmesan alternative). The flavor will be slightly different but the dish works well.
Create a Flavorful Chicken Sausage, Broccoli & Orzo Skillet Tonight!
A delightful combination of chicken sausage, broccoli, orzo pasta, and savory seasonings cooked to perfection in a skillet. This dish is flavorful, nutritious, and easy to make, making it a perfect meal for any day of the week.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken sausage links
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Start by cooking the chicken sausage in a skillet until browned. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add olive oil and sauté the garlic and onion until fragrant.
- Add the broccoli florets to the skillet and cook until slightly tender.
- Stir in the orzo pasta and chicken broth. Let it simmer until the orzo is cooked through.
- Add the cooked chicken sausage back to the skillet and mix everything together.
- Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top and season with salt and pepper.
- Serve hot and enjoy this flavorful skillet dish!
