Crispy One-Pot Chicken Sausage Orzo with Tender-Crisp Broccoli
One-Pot Chicken Sausage Orzo with Tender-Crisp Broccoli is the ultimate easy, comforting dinner. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping the broccoli tender-crisp and the orzo perfectly cooked. You’ll love the crispy, golden sausage and the cozy, fresh flavors in every bite. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Try these Million Dollar Chicken and Rice and Pair with these Easy Pizza Sliders.
Why This Crispy One-Pot Chicken Sausage Orzo with Tender-Crisp Broccoli Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy, golden chicken sausage
- Tender-crisp broccoli with a slight bite
- Comforting, fresh flavors in every bite
- Easy, one-pot cleanup
What You'll Need for Crispy One-Pot Chicken Sausage Orzo with Tender-Crisp Broccoli
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- chicken sausage
- orzo pasta
- broccoli florets
- garlic
- chicken broth
- olive oil
- salt
- black pepper
- red pepper flakes
- lemon zest
- lemon juice
- Optional: grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: fresh parsley
📝 Ingredient Notes
- chicken sausage: Use your favorite flavor, such as Italian or spinach and feta.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect sausage searing and orzo cooking. → See on Amazon
- Immersion Blender — Easily blend the sauce right in the pot for a smooth, creamy finish. → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy One-Pot Chicken Sausage Orzo with Tender-Crisp Broccoli
- Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken sausage, breaking it up as it cooks, until browned and crispy. Remove sausage and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add orzo and cook until lightly toasted. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Step 3: Stir in broccoli florets, red pepper flakes, and lemon zest. Cover and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, until broccoli is tender-crisp and orzo is cooked. Stir in lemon juice and reserved sausage.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy One-Pot Chicken Sausage Orzo with Tender-Crisp Broccoli
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the broccoli. It should still have a slight bite. If it's too soft, it will absorb too much liquid and the orzo won't cook properly.
- Pro tip: For a creamier sauce, use an immersion blender to blend some of the orzo and broth together before adding the broccoli.
- Pro tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño to the skillet with the garlic.
Storing & Reheating Crispy One-Pot Chicken Sausage Orzo with Tender-Crisp Broccoli
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can prep the ingredients ahead of time, but don't cook the orzo until ready to serve.
Freezing Crispy One-Pot Chicken Sausage Orzo with Tender-Crisp Broccoli
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt content.
- Best substitution: Substitute the chicken sausage for ground turkey or chicken for a similar result.
- Make-ahead: Cook the orzo and broccoli separately, then combine when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the orzo isn't cooking properly, add a little more chicken broth and cook uncovered for a few more minutes.
Want to level up this recipe?
Lodge 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet — Perfect for searing the sausage and cooking the orzo. Pays for itself vs takeout. → Check price on Amazon
Crispy One-Pot Chicken Sausage Orzo with Tender-Crisp Broccoli
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- chicken sausage
- orzo pasta
- broccoli florets
- garlic
- chicken broth
Seasonings
- olive oil
- salt
- black pepper
- red pepper flakes
- lemon zest
- lemon juice
Optional Toppings
- grated Parmesan cheese
- fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken sausage, breaking it up as it cooks, until browned and crispy. Remove sausage and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add orzo and cook until lightly toasted. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Step 3: Stir in broccoli florets, red pepper flakes, and lemon zest. Cover and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, until broccoli is tender-crisp and orzo is cooked. Stir in lemon juice and reserved sausage.
Notes
- Chef tip: Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt content.
- Best substitution: Substitute the chicken sausage for ground turkey or chicken for a similar result.
- Make-ahead: Cook the orzo and broccoli separately, then combine when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the orzo isn't cooking properly, add a little more chicken broth and cook uncovered for a few more minutes.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: You can prep the ingredients ahead of time, but don't cook the orzo until ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sat. Fat: 5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy One-Pot Chicken Sausage Orzo with Tender-Crisp Broccoli FAQs
You can prep the ingredients ahead of time, but don't cook the orzo until ready to serve to prevent it from becoming mushy.
Overcooking the broccoli can cause it to absorb too much liquid, making the orzo mushy. Keep an eye on it and remove it from heat as soon as it's tender-crisp.
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño to the skillet with the garlic for a spicy kick.
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli. Cook it for an additional 2-3 minutes to ensure it's heated through.
Orzo is made from wheat, so this recipe is not gluten-free. You can substitute it with gluten-free orzo or quinoa for a gluten-free version.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy One-Pot Chicken Sausage Orzo with Tender-Crisp Broccoli and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
