This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This chicken sausage orzo skillet is made in one pan, packed with flavor and loaded with lean protein and veggies. It’s perfect for an easy weeknight dinner with minimal fuss and no extra dishes.
This easy one pan chicken sausage and orzo skillet is one of my favorite dinner recipes. It’s quick, packed with nutrition and a family-favorite. If you love one pot meals, you’ll love my Cheesy Taco Rice and Philly Cheesesteak Casserole too!
About This Recipe
One pan, no pasta boiling required, and done in 30 minutes. Plus it’s high protein and balanced with veggies for the perfect weeknight dinner.
- One-pan. Everything is done in one skillet, so there’s no need to dirty extra pans.
- Quick. There’s super minimal prep and it’s done in about 30 minutes. It doesn’t get much better than that for an easy weeknight dinner.
- Balanced and healthy. With lean protein from chicken sausage and fiber from kale and bell pepper, it’s a satisfying meal that will actually keep you full and fueled.
- Easy to customize. Swap in spinach for kale, use any chicken sausage you love, or add extra veggies that you have lying around.
Ingredients
For full recipe instructions and complete list of ingredients, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
- Chicken sausage: Any chicken sausage will work here. I typically go for flavors like roasted garlic or roasted pepper. You can also use turkey kielbasa.
- Orzo: The best part of this dish is that there’s no pasta boiling, it’s all done in the same skillet!
- Veggies: This skillet is also packed with kale, bell pepper and onion. Customize it by using whatever veggies you like.
- Chicken broth: For flavor and to cook the orzo. Vegetable broth works too.
- Tomato paste: Just a couple of tablespoons of tomato paste adds the perfect amount of savory tomato flavor.
- Parmesan cheese: Everything is better with cheese, and parmesan is the perfect complement to the chicken sausage and orzo.
- Garlic: Lots of garlic is a must here.
- Olive oil: For sautéing the chicken sausage and veggies.
- Lemon juice: To brighten the flavors up with a little bit of citrus flavor.
Variation Ideas
- Switch up the protein. Instead of chicken sausage you can also use chicken breast, turkey kielbasa, ground sausage, or even ground chicken or ground turkey.
- Swap the veggies. Swap your kale for any other leafy greens, like spinach. Chopped broccoli, cauliflower or asparagus would work great in this dish too.
- Rice instead. Use rice instead of orzo.
- Make it spicy. Use spicy Italian chicken sausage and add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes for some heat.
- Gluten-free. Swap regular orzo for gluten-free orzo.
How To Make Chicken Sausage Orzo
- Sauté. Sauté onions, peppers and garlic in a large pan with olive oil.
- Add chicken sausage. Add chicken sausage and cook for 4-5 minutes until golden brown.
- Add tomato paste. Next add tomato paste, cooking 1-2 minutes until tomato paste has darkened.
- Add kale and orzo. Add orzo, kale and chicken broth, salt and pepper, stirring to scrape up any bits at the bottom of the pan. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 10-11 minutes until orzo is al dente, stirring once halfway.
- Finish with lemon and parmesan. Add lemon juice and parmesan cheese.
- Stir and serve. Stir and serve warm with additional parmesan cheese and fresh herbs if desired.
How To Store
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave in 30-60 second intervals or on the stovetop on low-medium heat until heated through.
Recipe Tips
Tips For Success
- If the orzo is under-cooked. Give it a few extra minutes covered and an extra splash of broth if needed.
- If there’s extra liquid after orzo is cooked. If there’s still extra liquid after the orzo is cooked, cook it uncovered for an extra minute or two. You want it to have a little bit of moisture, but not soupy.
- Use a deep skillet. The orzo is cooked right in the pan, so make sure you choose a skillet that has high sides.
More Easy Healthy Dinner Ideas
If you’ve made and loved this Chicken Sausage Orzo Skillet or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and comments below!
Chicken Sausage Orzo Skillet
A cozy, one-pan dinner made with flavorful chicken sausage, orzo, kale, and parmesan for an easy, protein-packed meal that comes together in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 11-12 oz. chicken sausage links (I recommend roasted garlic, roasted red pepper or a similar flavor), sliced into 1/4" rounds
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup orzo
- 1/4 tsp salt, more to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, more to taste
- 3 cups kale, chopped small, stems removed
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tbsp lemon juice, more to taste
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded or grated, more for serving
Instructions
- Heat oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Saute onion garlic and peppers for 2-3 minutes until soft.
- Add chicken sausage and cook, stirring frequently until lightly browned (about 4-5 minutes).
- Next add tomato paste, cooking 1-2 minutes until tomato paste has darkened.
- Add orzo, kale and chicken broth, salt and pepper, stirring to scrape up any bits at the bottom of the pan.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 10-11 minutes until orzo is cooked, stirring once halfway. If the orzo is not cooked enough, continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes. If there’s still a lot of extra liquid after the orzo is cooked, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes uncovered.
- Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice and parmesan cheese. Serve with additional parmesan cheese and fresh herbs if desired.
Nutrition
Serving: 0.25recipe | Calories: 419kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 66mg | Sodium: 1656mg | Potassium: 374mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 3004IU | Vitamin C: 60mg | Calcium: 219mg | Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an estimate.
Did you try this recipe?Leave a comment + star rating below!
So good and easy! I did have to cook the sausage and orzo for longer than written, but that may be because I used a Dutch oven instead of a large pan. Either way, it turned out great
So glad you enjoyed! I’ve made this several times and I have noticed that the pan and brand of orzo does impact the cook time a bit!
We loved this! Quick and easy to pull together – especially as a mom with a preschooler and baby! Will definitely add it to our rotation!
Thanks for trying it and leaving a review! Easily one of my favorite easy dinners!
Love this one pot meal! Easy and yummy! I didn’t have bell pepper and I’m not a kale person so just made it without and it was still great. Going to try to add pepper and baby spinach next time! Another one to add to the regular rotation 🙂
I just made it with spinach myself and it was great!
This was SO easy and SO good, even my 14 year old enjoyed it!! I love that it was full of veggies too. Truly a one-pan complete meal. Thank you, Jamie!!