Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo Skillet
This Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo Skillet is a cozy, flavorful one-pan meal made with tender orzo, seared chicken sausage, a touch of cream, and melted cheese. It’s the kind of easy skillet dinner that feels fancy but comes together in under 30 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights or comforting weekend meals.
Ingredients
For the Orzo Skillet:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 12 oz chicken sausage sliced
- ½ cup onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup shredded cheddar or feta cheese
Optional Add-ins:
- 1 cup spinach or kale
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
For Garnish:
- Fresh parsley
- Extra grated cheese
- Lemon zest
Instructions
- Sauté sausage in olive oil 3–5 mins. Remove and set aside.
- Cook onion 2–3 mins, add garlic 30 secs. Stir in orzo, toast 1 min.
- Add broth and seasonings. Simmer 8–10 mins until mostly absorbed.
- Stir in cream and cheese. Add sausage back.
- Toss in spinach/tomatoes if using.
- Garnish with parsley, lemon zest, extra cheese. Serve warm.
- See full steps with tips & photos → https://wimpysdiner.net/creamy-chicken-sausage-orzo-skillet/
Notes
- You can substitute turkey sausage or plant-based sausage for variety.
- Greek yogurt gives a tangy, lighter twist to the cream.
- Stir in veggies like peas, mushrooms, or zucchini to bulk it up.