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One Skillet Tuscan Chicken and Orzo. The wonderful flavors of creamy Italian sausage soup are reworked into a creamy chicken and orzo dinner. Spicy Italian chicken sausage mixed with seared chicken breasts, Italian seasonings, and creamy orzo. Add shredded kale, basil pesto sauce, and parmesan cheese for a complete meal. All are made in one skillet and served simply, right from the skillet. And I always recommend a big salad, too. Great for just about any night of the week and perfect for entertaining as well. This is a dish that all will enjoy!
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I find so much inspiration through my family. I say this all the time, but I really do love to cook for the people around me, especially my family. Both my dad and brother love my recipe for Zuppa Toscana Soup. It’s such a flavorful Italian soup that’s always a favorite of mine to make this time of year.
I often take flavors from certain recipes I’ve created before and rework them into an entirely new one. This is what I did with today’s recipe.
The main flavor being yummy Italian season and spicy sausage.
This dish reminds me of a chicken and pasta dinner all mixed into one skillet. I knew my family would be so excited about it—and they were!
I knew this skillet dish had potential! The night I made it, my dad texted me to say how delicious he thought it was—he doesn’t do that too often, so I knew we had a good one!
I have a feeling this will be remaking this over the holidays. It’s super pretty served right out of the skillet and feels fancy enough to serve guests!
Ingredients and Tools
Ingredients
- chicken breasts or small thighs, my family enjoys skinless breasts
- Italian seasoning
- spicy Italian chicken or pork sausage
- salted butter
- onions
- garlic
- celery
- fresh thyme
- dry orzo pasta
- broth or water
- shredded kale or try using spinach
- cream
- basil pesto
- Parmesan
Special Tools
All you need is an oven-safe skillet. I love to use an 11 or 12-inch cast iron skillet.
The details
Step 1: season the chicken
Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Then, I like to toss it with half of the Italian seasoning.
Step 2: cook the sausage and chicken
Next, brown the sausage all over in a large skillet that can go from the stove to the oven. Wiggle the chicken into the sausage and sear it on one side.
Now add the butter and onions, then the garlic, thyme, and remaining Italian seasoning. Oh, and the celery too!
It’s a delicious mix and makes the chicken very flavorful.
Step 3: the orzo
Once the chicken is seared, add the orzo and some garlic. Then, if necessary, you can add some butter, too. I don’t find it’s usually needed with the sausage fat.
Add the broth and water. Mix in the cream and pesto.
Step 4: bake
Next, add the parmesan cheese. Then, put the whole skillet in the oven to finish baking.
EAT!
It’s going to smell wonderful as you pull the skillet out of the oven—like your favorite Italian restaurant, I swear!
If you have extra thyme on hand, finish the dish with a little extra thyme and sea salt.
This dish is everything you’d expect from a multi-step recipe but made in a way that takes less than an hour. Plus, everything is made in one skillet. Simple, simple – and we love that.
As mentioned, I’m sure I’ll be remaking this over the holidays! It’s going to be a busy season and dishes like this are what we all need!
Looking for other dinner recipes?? Here are my favorites:
30 Minute Coq au Vin Chicken Meatballs
Simple Baked Cheesy Italian Chicken Meatballs
Weeknight 30 Minute Coconut Curry Chicken Meatballs
Lastly, if you make these One Skillet Tuscan Chicken and Orzo, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
One Skillet Tuscan Chicken and Orzo
Ingredients
- 6 boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- salt and black pepper
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 3/4 pound spicy Italian chicken sausage
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 cup dry orzo pasta
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- chili flakes
- 2 cups broth or water
- 2 cups finely chopped kale
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup basil pesto
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 400° F. 2. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. 3. Cook the sausage In a large oven-safe skillet set over medium-high heat until browned all over. Wiggle the chicken into the sausage. Add the onions, garlic, and thyme. Sear the chicken on both sides until golden, 3-5 minutes per side. 4. Add the butter, orzo, celery, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and chili flakes. Cook until lightly golden, 2 minutes. Add the broth and kale. Bring to a boil, cook for 3-5 minutes, then add the cream and pesto. Sprinkle over the parmesan. Transfer to the oven and cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling around the chicken.5. Serve the chicken, orzo, and sauce topped with thyme. YUM.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
This was a crowd pleaser. The family loved it. I think I’d love it more without the heavy cream.
Thanks so much, Katie!! I am so glad to hear this dish was enjoyed, I appreciate you making it! Have a great Tuesday! xx
This dish was another winner in our family. Really delicious and easy to make. So flavorful. I made the recipe exactly as stated, both the ingredients and steps. It was absolutely perfect. Thank you. I am a very big fan of your recipes.
Hey Sharon,
Happy Monday! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I’m so glad to hear it turned out well for you! Have a nice week:) xx
Hello!
I am planning on making this tonight. Can I use bone in thighs? If so what will my adjustments be?
Thanks
Hi Jayne,
Sure, that will work nicely for you, you will just need to increase the cook time of your chicken. Please let me know if I can help in any other way! xx
Can we skip sausages altogether . I am not the fan of them . Will it change the taste altogether ??
Hey Faiza,
No worries, that is just fine for you to do! I hope you love this recipe! xT
This recipe is delicious, i subbed cream cheese thinned with chicken broth for the heavy cream due to forgetting it! I’m sure it altered the flavor a little, but the kids and hubs loved it and have already said this is a must have again soon. When the 4 of them agree, I’ll call it a win!
Hey Tiffany,
Fantastic! I’m so glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it! Thanks for sharing what worked well for you! XxT
Omg so good! I subbed half & half for heavy cream and still came out so rich. Highly recommend for a decadent, easy dinner.
Hi Robin,
Thank you so much! I’m so glad this recipe turned out nicely for you, thanks for your comment! xT
Holy cow, I just made this, and it’s DELISH! Used pork Italian sausage, couldn’t find chicken, and spinach instead of kale. 100% thumbs up from the family!
Hey Catherine,
Happy Monday! I’m so glad you enjoyed this dish and appreciate you making it! Have a wonderful week! xxT
looks great, but i havent made it YET..tomorrow is the day and i was going to add some butternut squash pieces to it…do i need to adjust any water/broth content? can i cook the pasta seperately and then add before putting into oven?
Hi Vicki,
I would cook the squash on the side and then add to the dish. I would cook the pasta in the dish as directed. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Thank you. I did cook squash on side (my husband’s eyes rolling up when i mentioned putting squash in also deterred me). the pasta worked nicely in it, but i should have served it right away, as the sauce did evaporate a bit. BUT, my friends took leftovers home ! I will make it again!!
Thanks so much, Vicki!!
This was a great dish to make. Even my picky eater said he liked it!!
Lol love to hear this, Jennifer! Thank you so much for giving this dish a try and your comment! Have a nice weekend! xx
This recipe was outstandingly delicious! My only changes were to dice the chicken, throw in sundried tomatoes and I cut back to 1/2C cheese. I must say, I think the celery did add a little something to it and less parmesan didn’t take away from the flavor.
Yay!! So glad to hear this, Tracy! Thanks so much for making this recipe and your comment! xx
This recipe is superb! We made it last week, and it’s already on the list for this week too. Instant favorite.
Hey Brandon!
Happy Sunday!🍂🍁 Thanks a lot for trying this recipe and your comment, love to hear it turned out well! x
Yum! Delicious, even without the Parmesan. (My husband is not a fan of cheese unless it’s on pizza or lasagna.) I wouldn’t be surprised if this recipe joins the most-asked-for list and alongside your garlic creamed corn chicken recipe. Easy enough for a week night dinner thou
Hey Caroline,
Awesome!! So glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed by your family. I appreciate you giving it a try and your feedback! Have the best day! XxT
Hi Tieghan,
Is it possible to finish on the stovetop without baking (I know the cheese won’t get nice and browned)? I was planning this dish for dinner tonight but power went out and I won’t be able to use our oven? Otherwise I’ll pivot to something else and save this recipe for another night…it looks so good! Thanks!
Hi Julie,
Sure, that would be just fine for you to do! I hope your power comes back soon! xx
Still no power but it turned out delicious all done on the stove! Thank you!!
This was a winner! Loved that it incorporates some veggies, could prob even add carrots or other vegs. Went a little light on the cheese and it was still great as the parm has strong flavor. Definitely making again!
Hey Adrienne,
Wonderful! Thank you so much for making this dish and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Happy Monday! xT
What does wiggle the sausage into the chicken mean please?!!?
Hi Paul,
Just place the chicken into the dish with the sausage so that it’s evenly placed. I hope this helps! xT