One Pot Italian Chicken Sausage with Orzo
One Pot Italian Chicken Sausage with Orzo: A Flavorful and Easy Meal
Looking for a quick, hearty, and delicious one-pot meal? This One Pot Italian Chicken Sausage with Orzo is the answer! Packed with tender chicken sausage, savory Boursin cheese, sweet cherry tomatoes, and healthy veggies, this dish is a total crowd-pleaser. The best part? It’s made in a single pot, making cleanup a breeze. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep for the week ahead, this recipe is both satisfying and full of flavor.
I have to give a shout out to @maddieemartindale on Instagram, as this recipe was inspired by her! Her version can be found in her Reels HERE.
Why You’ll Love This One Pot italian Chicken Sausage with Orzo Recipe
- Easy and Convenient: Made in one pot with minimal prep.
- Healthy & Nutritious: Packed with protein, veggies, and whole grains.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Great for leftovers and stores well for days.
- Flavorful: A rich blend of herbs, spices, and Boursin cheese for a creamy finish.
Ingredients for One Pot italian Chicken Sausage with Orzo
Here’s what you’ll need to make this dish:
- 1-2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped (red or yellow; I’ve done both!)
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1 container cherry or grape tomatoes (about 2 cups)
- 1 garlic & fine herbs Boursin cheese puck (5.3 oz) — in this version pictured here, I actually used Chive & Onion cream cheese spread because my ALDI was out of Boursin. It worked great, too! So don’t be afraid to improvise with similar items if needed!
- 1 32 oz container of reduced sodium chicken broth
- 1 package Italian chicken sausage, cut into slices (about 4 links)
- 1/2-1 cup frozen riced cauliflower
- 1 cup whole wheat orzo
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp crushed red peppers (omit or add less if desired — this amount just gives it a slight *kick*, but not crazy spicy!)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1-2 cups fresh spinach
Instructions for One Pot italian Chicken Sausage with Orzo
1. Preheat and Sauté
Preheat your oven to 375°F. In a large dutch oven, add 1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes until the onions soften and the garlic becomes fragrant.
2. Add Veggies and Chicken Sausage
Next, add the cherry tomatoes (leave them whole) and frozen riced cauliflower. Stir and cook for another 3-4 minutes, letting the flavors begin to combine. Then, add the sliced Italian chicken sausage into the pot and let it cook for another minute to brown slightly.
3. Combine Ingredients
Now, it’s time to add the creamy, tangy Boursin cheese, whole wheat orzo, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes. Pour in the chicken broth (24-32 oz, depending on your desired consistency) and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything well, ensuring the Boursin cheese starts to break up and coat the other ingredients. You want all the ingredients to be covered with liquid.
4. Cook in the Oven
Place the lid on the Dutch oven and transfer it to the preheated oven. Cook for 45-60 minutes, checking and stirring at the 45-minute mark. If there’s still liquid left, pop it back into the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Another option is to finish cooking it on the stovetop if there is more liquid than you want at the 45-50 minute mark. Turn the burner to medium / medium-high heat, let it simmer for a few minutes and this will cook off some of the additional liquid.
5. Add Fresh Spinach
Once the orzo is cooked and the dish has absorbed the liquid, remove it from the oven. Add fresh spinach (about 1-2 handfuls) to the pot and stir it in while the mixture is still hot. The spinach will wilt down and blend beautifully into the dish.
6. Serve and Enjoy
Serve this hearty, flavorful dish hot! It’s perfect for a cozy dinner or meal prep for the week. Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Optional: sprinkle some fresh shredded Parmesan on top!
Tips for Success
- Customizable Ingredients: Feel free to swap the spinach for other leafy greens like kale or arugula. You can also substitute the chicken sausage with turkey or a vegetarian option if you prefer.
- Broth Variations: Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version of this recipe or a low-sodium chicken broth to keep it light.
- Adjust the Spice: If you like more heat, you can add extra crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to kick it up a notch!
Why Choose One Pot Meals?
One-pot meals like this Italian chicken sausage with orzo are perfect for busy individuals or families looking for easy, healthy meals. Not only does cooking in one pot minimize cleanup, but it also allows all the flavors to meld together, creating a comforting, delicious dish that everyone will love.
PS: here is a link to the Amazon dutch oven I have and love! It’s super affordable but awesome quality. I love it!
Conclusion
This One Pot Italian Chicken Sausage with Orzo is the ultimate weeknight meal—packed with protein, veggies, and whole grains, all brought together with the creamy richness of Boursin cheese. It’s simple, satisfying, and a dish the whole family can enjoy.
Try this recipe today, and let me know how it turns out in the comments below! Or, tag me in your Instagram stories and tag @wellnessforthewin so I can see!
more weeknight dinners your family will love
Here are some more healthy, family-friendly dinner or meal prep recipes everyone in the family will devour!
- Crockpot Chicken Enchiladas
- Crockpot Lasagna
- Healthy Chicken Enchilada Bake
- Honey Garlic Chicken with Veggies and Quinoa
Feel free to keep browsing my site for other ideas for every meal of the day!
One Pot Italian Chicken Sausage with Orzo
Equipment
- 1 Dutch oven
Ingredients
- 1-2 Tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 1 onion chopped, red or yellow
- 2 tsp garlic minced
- 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes or 1 container
- 1 puck Boursin cheese ~5.3 oz, garlic & fine herbs flavor (OR 1/3 cup similar flavored cream cheese)
- 32 oz low sodium chicken broth
- 12 oz Italian chicken sausage 4 links, cut into slices
- 1 cup frozen riced cauliflower
- 1 cup whole wheat orzo
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp crushed red peppers
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1-2 cups fresh baby spinach
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. In a large dutch oven, add 1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes until the onions soften and the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Next, add the cherry tomatoes (leave them whole) and frozen riced cauliflower. Stir and cook for another 3-4 minutes, letting the flavors begin to combine. Then, add the sliced Italian chicken sausage into the pot and let it cook for another minute to brown slightly.
- Now, it’s time to add the creamy, tangy Boursin cheese, whole wheat orzo, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes. Pour in the chicken broth (I used about 24 oz) and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything well, ensuring the Boursin cheese starts to break up and coat the other ingredients. You want all the ingredients to be covered with liquid.
- Place the lid on the Dutch oven and transfer it to the preheated oven. Cook for 45-60 minutes, checking and stirring at the 45-minute mark. If there’s still liquid left, pop it back into the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Once the orzo is cooked and the dish has absorbed the liquid, remove it from the oven. Add fresh spinach (about 1-2 handfuls) to the pot and stir it in while the mixture is still hot. The spinach will wilt down and blend beautifully into the dish.
- Serve this hearty, flavorful dish hot! It’s perfect for a cozy dinner or meal prep for the week. Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Nutrition
Keywords: One-pot meal, chicken sausage, orzo, Boursin cheese, easy dinner recipe, healthy recipe, weeknight meal, Italian chicken sausage, meal prep, spinach, quick and easy recipes.
