Chicken Sausage Orzo One Pot (Printable Version)

Hearty one-pot meal with chicken sausage, tender orzo, and colorful vegetables simmered together.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 12 oz fully cooked chicken sausage, sliced into ½-inch rounds

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 zucchini, diced
06 - 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
07 - 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped

→ Pantry

08 - 1½ cups orzo pasta
09 - 2½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 1 tbsp olive oil

→ Seasonings

11 - 1 tsp dried oregano
12 - ½ tsp dried basil
13 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
14 - ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
15 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Optional Garnish

16 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
17 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add sliced chicken sausage and sauté for 3–4 minutes until lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
02 - Add onion and red bell pepper to the same pan. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and zucchini; cook for another 2 minutes.
03 - Add orzo to the pan and toast, stirring constantly, for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Pour in chicken broth and add grape tomatoes, oregano, basil, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
05 - Cover and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
06 - Return browned sausage to the pot and add spinach. Stir until spinach wilts and everything is heated through, about 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with Parmesan and fresh herbs if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything happens in one pan, from toasting the orzo to wilting the spinach at the end
  • The orzo soaks up all those Mediterranean flavors while it cooks, making every bite incredibly satisfying
02 -
  • The orzo will continue absorbing liquid after you turn off the heat, so do not let it get too dry while simmering
  • If the pan looks too dry before the pasta is done, add a splash more broth or water
03 -
  • Do not skip toasting the orzo, it adds a subtle nutty flavor that makes a difference
  • Chop all your vegetables before you start cooking, everything moves quickly once the heat is on

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