Description
A rich and comforting Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo dish that combines tender chicken sausage, creamy Parmesan sauce, and nutritious spinach, all cooked together with orzo pasta for a quick and satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins and Dairy
- 1 pound chicken sausage, sliced
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup baby spinach
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Pantry Items
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté onions and garlic: In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Toast the orzo: Stir in the orzo pasta and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, to lightly toast the orzo and enhance its flavor.
- Simmer with broth: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 10 minutes or until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Add cream, cheese, and spinach: Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and baby spinach. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and the sauce thickens.
- Combine with sausage and season: Return the cooked chicken sausage to the skillet and stir everything together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with fresh parsley before serving for a bright, fresh finish.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a lower-fat cream.
- Use gluten-free orzo pasta if gluten sensitivity is a concern.
- You can add other vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers for extra nutrition and flavor.
- If chicken sausage is not available, Italian sausage or turkey sausage can be good alternatives.
- This dish pairs well with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables.
