Description
This Chicken Sausage, Broccoli, and Orzo recipe is a quick and easy weeknight dinner, ready in under 30 minutes. It features savory chicken sausage, tender broccoli, and perfectly cooked orzo tossed in a bright lemon-paprika sauce.
Ingredients
- 300g (10oz) Chicken Sausage: Sliced into ½-inch pieces.
- 200g (7oz) Orzo Pasta: Rice-shaped pasta.
- 300g (10.5oz) Broccoli Florets: Fresh, firm, and bright green.
- 1 Medium Onion (≈150g / 5oz): Finely diced.
- 2 Cloves Garlic: Minced.
- 500ml (2 cups) Vegetable Broth: Low-sodium.
- 250ml (1 cup) Water.
- 2 tbsp (30ml) Olive Oil: Extra-virgin.
- 1 tbsp (14g) Butter: Unsalted.
- 1 tsp (5g) Smoked Paprika.
- ½ tsp (2g) Ground Cumin.
- Zest of 1 Lemon.
- Juice of ½ Lemon (≈1 tbsp).
- 2 tbsp (30g) Parmesan Cheese: Grated, halal-certified.
- 1 tbsp (15g) Pine Nuts: Toasted.
- 1 tbsp (10g) Parsley: Fresh, chopped.
- Salt and Pepper: To taste.
Instructions
- Cook the Orzo: Boil orzo until al dente, then drain.
- Sauté Aromatics: Sauté onion until translucent, then add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Brown Sausage: Add sausage and cook until browned.
- Steam Broccoli: Add broccoli, cover, and steam until tender-crisp.
- Bloom Spices: Stir in paprika, cumin, and lemon zest; cook for 1 minute.
- Combine & Simmer: Add orzo, lemon juice, and broth; simmer until liquid is absorbed.
- Finish & Season: Remove from heat, stir in Parmesan, pine nuts, and parsley; season with salt and pepper.
Notes
For a quicker meal, use pre-cooked sausage. Toasting pine nuts enhances their flavor. Adjust broccoli steaming time for desired tenderness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg