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One-Pan Caramelized Onion, Chicken Sausage & Orzo

An easy one-pan dinner with caramelized onions, chicken sausage, orzo, spinach, Pecorino Romano, and lemon.
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Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion thinly sliced
  • 3-4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 package chicken sausages sliced into rounds; caramelized sweet onion sausage works well
  • 1 cup orzo
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • fresh thyme to taste
  • 2 big handfuls spinach or more
  • 1 cup Pecorino Romano grated, plus more for serving
  • 1 splash lemon juice for brightness

Method
 

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or braiser over low to medium-low heat. Add the sliced onion and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden brown.
  2. Add the garlic and sliced chicken sausage. Cook until the garlic is fragrant and the sausage is lightly browned.
  3. Add the orzo and toast briefly in the pan, then pour in the chicken broth. Season with salt, pepper, and fresh thyme and stir well.
  4. Cover and cook until the orzo is tender and most of the broth has been absorbed, stirring as needed so the orzo does not stick.
  5. Stir in the spinach, cover again, and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, until wilted.
  6. Stir in the Pecorino Romano, then finish with a splash of lemon juice. Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving with more cheese on top.

Notes

The original version used caramelized sweet onion chicken sausages. Another fully cooked chicken sausage with a mild flavor profile can be substituted.