If you’ve been searching for a comforting, flavor-packed recipe that feels like a warm hug on a plate, your search is over. This Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo Skillet Recipe is a beautiful blend of tender chicken sausage, perfectly cooked orzo pasta, and a luscious creamy sauce that’s studded with sweet peas and vibrant bell peppers. Every bite bursts with cozy, hearty flavors while still being quick and easy enough for weeknight dinners. It’s one of those dishes that effortlessly balances simplicity and sophistication, making it an instant favorite you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this dish lies in its straightforward ingredients that each play a crucial role. From the savory chicken sausage bringing bold flavor, to the tender orzo soaking up every bit of the creamy sauce, this recipe is comfort food made easy.
- Olive oil: Adds a subtle fruitiness and helps brown the sausage perfectly.
- Chicken sausage: Packed with flavor and protein, it’s the star ingredient that makes the dish hearty.
- Onion: Provides a sweet, aromatic base for the skillet.
- Garlic: Delivers a fragrant punch that enhances every bite.
- Red bell pepper: Offers a burst of color and a sweet crunch to the dish.
- Orzo pasta: The tender, rice-shaped pasta that absorbs all the creamy goodness.
- Chicken broth: Builds depth and infuses the orzo with savory flavor as it cooks.
- Heavy cream: Brings that rich, silky texture every creamy dish deserves.
- Frozen peas: Adds a pop of sweetness and bright green color.
- Parmesan cheese: Melts into the sauce for an irresistible savory finish.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for balancing all the flavors perfectly.
- Fresh parsley: A fresh herb garnish that adds vibrancy and freshness.
How to Make Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo Skillet Recipe
Step 1: Heat the olive oil and brown the sausage
Start by heating a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook until each piece is beautifully browned on the outside, locking in all those juicy flavors. Once browned, remove the sausage and set it aside to keep warm.
Step 2: Sauté onions until translucent
In the same skillet with all those delicious browned bits, add the diced onion. Cook gently until the onions become translucent and soft, forming a sweet and fragrant base for the rest of the ingredients.
Step 3: Add garlic and bell pepper
Throw in the minced garlic and diced red bell pepper next. Sauté them together until the garlic releases its rich aroma and the peppers soften just enough to keep a slight crunch, adding great texture to the dish.
Step 4: Toast the orzo pasta
Now stir in the orzo pasta, letting it toast lightly in the skillet for about two minutes. This step adds a subtle nuttiness to the pasta and helps it develop a little more flavor as it cooks.
Step 5: Simmer the orzo in chicken broth
Pour in the chicken broth, give everything a quick stir, and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover the skillet and let the orzo cook gently for 8 to 10 minutes until it becomes tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, creating the perfect base for the creamy sauce.
Step 6: Stir in cream, peas, and sausage
Reduce the heat to low, then stir in the heavy cream, frozen peas, and the cooked chicken sausage. Let everything heat through until the peas are warmed and tender, creating a rich and vibrant mix of flavors and textures.
Step 7: Finish with Parmesan and seasoning
Remove the skillet from heat and immediately stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. It melts beautifully, making the sauce luxuriously creamy. Season with salt and pepper to your taste, ensuring every bite is perfectly balanced.
Step 8: Garnish and serve
Finish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley to add that final pop of color and freshness before serving this delightful skillet meal straight from the pan.
How to Serve Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo Skillet Recipe
Garnishes
A simple sprinkle of fresh parsley brightens up the dish beautifully, but you can also add a dash of crushed red pepper flakes if you like a little heat or freshly grated lemon zest for a zingy lift. Each garnish helps personalize the dish to your taste.
Side Dishes
Serving this skillet on its own is marvelous thanks to its hearty ingredients, but pairing it with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables adds a lovely crunch and freshness to balance the creamy richness. Garlic bread or warm pita also work wonderfully to scoop up every last bit of the sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun presentation, serve the skillet directly at the table in a cast-iron pan paired with vibrant, rustic serving bowls. You can also plate it with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil or a few shavings of Parmesan cheese on top for an elegant finish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftovers from this Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo Skillet Recipe store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight, making it just as delicious when reheated.
Freezing
While this dish is best fresh, you can freeze leftovers for up to one month. For best results, freeze before adding the cream and cheese; then thaw and add those ingredients fresh when reheating to keep the sauce silky.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently. Add a splash of broth or water if the skillet seems dry to restore that creamy consistency. Microwaving works too, but stirring every minute helps heat it evenly.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of sausage in this recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to swap chicken sausage for Italian sausage, turkey sausage, or even a plant-based option depending on your preference. Just adjust cooking times if the sausage varies significantly in size.
Is there a substitute for heavy cream?
You can use half-and-half or whole milk in a pinch for a lighter version, but the sauce won’t be as rich and creamy. Coconut cream can be an alternative if you want a dairy-free twist, though it will add a subtle coconut flavor.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! You can substitute the orzo with gluten-free small pasta shapes or use a grain like quinoa for a naturally gluten-free option that still pairs nicely with the creamy sauce.
What’s the best way to reheat without drying it out?
The key is to reheat slowly over low heat with a splash of broth or milk to keep the sauce from drying. Stirring often helps distribute heat evenly and maintain that silky texture.
Can I add other vegetables?
Definitely! Feel free to toss in spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, or sun-dried tomatoes to boost the veggie content and add more layers of flavor and color to your skillet meal.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo Skillet Recipe. It combines ease, deliciousness, and heartiness in one pan so effortlessly. Once you try this recipe, it’s bound to become a regular in your meal rotation — a reliable go-to that satisfies on busy days without sacrificing flavor. So go ahead, dive in, and share this cozy skillet supper with everyone you love. You’ll be glad you did.
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Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo Skillet Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Creamy Chicken Sausage Orzo Skillet is a quick and comforting one-pan meal featuring tender orzo pasta cooked in a creamy sauce with flavorful chicken sausage, sautéed vegetables, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it combines hearty protein with creamy textures and vibrant veggies in a simple skillet recipe.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound chicken sausage, sliced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil: Warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat to prepare for cooking sausage.
- Cook sausage: Add the sliced chicken sausage to the skillet and cook until browned, then remove it and set aside.
- Sauté onion: In the same skillet, add diced onion and cook until translucent to build flavor.
- Add garlic and bell pepper: Stir in minced garlic and diced red bell pepper, cooking until the garlic is fragrant.
- Toast orzo: Stir in the orzo pasta and toast it lightly for about 2 minutes to enhance its nutty flavor.
- Add broth and simmer: Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes until the orzo is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
- Combine cream, peas, and sausage: Reduce heat and stir in heavy cream, frozen peas, and cooked chicken sausage; cook until peas are warmed through.
- Add Parmesan cheese: Remove skillet from heat and stir in grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes creamy and smooth.
- Season dish: Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley before serving to add freshness and color.
Notes
- Use a sturdy large skillet to cook all ingredients evenly.
- Chicken sausage can be substituted with turkey sausage or any preferred sausage.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- If fresh peas are available, they can be used instead of frozen peas.
- Make sure to stir in Parmesan off the heat to prevent it from clumping.
- Serve immediately for best texture, as orzo can continue absorbing liquid if left covered.
