Description
This cozy Chicken Sausage Orzo Soup with Kale is hearty, wholesome, and full of flavor. It combines Italian-style chicken sausage, tender orzo, fresh vegetables, and kale in a savory broth brightened with balsamic vinegar.
Ingredients
1 lb Italian-style chicken sausage, casings removed
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 medium carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
6 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 Parmesan rind (optional)
3/4 cup dry orzo pasta
4 cups chopped fresh kale
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chicken sausage and cook about 5 minutes, stirring until browned but not fully cooked. Remove sausage and set aside.
2. In the same pot, add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook 6–7 minutes until softened.
3. Stir in garlic and tomato paste and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Pour in chicken broth and balsamic vinegar, scraping the pot. Add oregano and Parmesan rind if using.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Stir in orzo and browned sausage. Simmer 9–10 minutes until orzo is tender and soup thickens slightly.
7. Remove from heat and stir in kale. Let wilt for 1–2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Let soup rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For extra richness, top each bowl with grated Parmesan. This soup reheats beautifully and thickens over time — add extra broth when reheating if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner / Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: ≈310 kcal per serving
- Sugar: ≈6 g
- Sodium: ≈1080 mg
- Fat: ≈12 g
- Saturated Fat: ≈3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ≈9 g
- Trans Fat: ≈0 g
- Carbohydrates: ≈32 g
- Fiber: ≈3 g
- Protein: ≈19 g
- Cholesterol: ≈50 mg
Keywords: chicken sausage orzo soup, cozy soup, kale soup