Description
Sizzling “creamy chicken sausage orzo skillet” brings Mediterranean comfort straight to dinner tables. Savory sausage, tender orzo, and rich cream blend into one irresistible meal packed with flavor and warmth for hungry diners.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 5 Italian chicken sausage links, fully cooked, sliced
Produce:
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup baby spinach, chopped
- ½ lemon, juiced
Pantry and Dairy:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- ⅓ cup jarred roasted red peppers, chopped
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) low-sodium chicken broth, plus more as needed
- ⅓ cup crushed tomatoes (or jarred marinara sauce)
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Warm a spacious skillet over medium flame, drizzling olive oil across the surface. Place sliced chicken sausage in an even arrangement, allowing each piece to caramelize and develop a rich golden-brown exterior for approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Transfer sausage to a temporary plate, maintaining the skillet’s aromatic remnants. Introduce diced onions and minced garlic, creating a fragrant base that releases subtle depth and complexity.
- Sprinkle uncooked orzo into the skillet, gently toasting the grains until they become translucent and emit a delicate nutty essence. Incorporate roasted red peppers, paprika, Italian seasoning, and spice blend to amplify the flavor profile.
- Stream chicken broth into the skillet, allowing the liquid to embrace the orzo and seasonings. Reduce heat and let the mixture simmer, stirring periodically to prevent grain adhesion and ensure even cooking.
- Once orzo reaches a tender yet firm consistency, introduce heavy cream and crushed tomatoes, creating a luxurious, velvety sauce. Fold fresh spinach into the mixture, watching it gracefully wilt and integrate with the surrounding ingredients.
- Reintroduce the caramelized sausage, stirring to reunite all components. Brighten the dish with a vibrant splash of lemon juice, then garnish with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
- Choose a fully cooked chicken sausage to ensure food safety and reduce overall cooking time.
- Slice sausage uniformly for even browning and consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for richer flavor and better sautéing results.
- Control heat when cooking orzo to prevent burning and achieve perfect al dente texture.
- If spinach seems too bitter, quickly blanch it before adding to mellow the flavor.
- Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half for a lighter, lower-calorie version.
- Fresh lemon juice brightens the entire dish, cutting through the richness of cream and sausage.
- Customize the heat level by adjusting red pepper flakes according to personal spice preference.
- Gluten-free option: Replace orzo with cauliflower rice or quinoa for similar texture.
- Fresh herbs like basil or parsley can elevate the final presentation and add vibrant flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg