This chicken risotto recipe is a creamy, flavorful, and wholesome one-dish dinner that your whole family will love. It's a perfect blend of tender chicken, creamy risotto, and savory flavors, making it a must-try for any home cook.
If you're looking for a simple, family-friendly meal that's big on flavor, this chicken risotto recipe is for you. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make a delicious, one-pan risotto that will have everyone asking for seconds.
If you're a fan of this recipe, you'll definitely want to check out my tomato risotto and mushroom risotto. They're just as creamy and delicious as this recipe and offer a different twist on classic risotto.
Why This Is The Best Chicken Risotto Recipe
- Convenient: This chicken risotto is a one-pan dish, making it a convenient choice for busy weeknight dinners. With minimal cleanup required, it's a real time-saver.
- Flavor-Packed: Thanks to the combination of chicken, garlic, onion, and Parmesan cheese, this risotto is packed with delicious, savory flavors that will have you coming back for seconds.
- Family Favorite: This recipe is a hit with the whole family. The creamy risotto and tender chicken are sure to satisfy even the pickiest eaters.
- Versatile: This chicken risotto is a versatile dish that can be easily customized to suit your family's tastes. Add some vegetables for a pop of color and extra nutrients, or swap the chicken for shrimp for a different twist on this classic Italian dish.
Key Ingredients
Here's an overview of some key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and measurements, please scroll to the recipe card below.
- Chicken Breast: The star of the dish, chicken breast provides a lean, healthy protein that's perfect for a family-friendly meal.
- Arborio Rice: This short-grain rice is essential for making risotto. It releases starch as it cooks, giving the dish its creamy consistency.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds a rich, creamy texture and a hint of sweetness to the dish.
- Minced Garlic: Infuses the dish with a robust, earthy flavor.
- Chicken Broth: The base of our risotto, it adds a savory depth of flavor.
- Dry White Wine: Adds a touch of acidity and sweetness to the dish.
- McCormick Organics Brown Gravy Mix: Gives the risotto a rich, savory flavor.
- Parmesan Cheese: A classic Italian cheese that adds a rich, nutty flavor and helps to thicken the risotto.
- Freshly Chopped Parsley: Adds a pop of color and a fresh, herby flavor to the finished dish.
How to Make Chicken Risotto
Making this incredible chicken risotto recipe at home is super easy and will give you great results every single time. Here's how to make it step by step:
Heat the skillet and cook the chicken: Start by heating 2 tablespoons of butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add your chicken and cook until it's brown and cooked through, which should take about 4-5 minutes per side. Once it's done, transfer the chicken to a separate bowl.
Sauté the onion and garlic: Turn the heat down to medium and add some minced onion and garlic to your skillet. Sauté them for about 3-4 minutes, or until the vegetables are nice and soft.
Add rice: Next, stir in your arborio rice. Keep stirring constantly until the rice becomes somewhat translucent, which should take about 5 minutes.
Add wine: Add in some wine and continue to cook, allowing the alcohol to evaporate. This step usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
Combine broth and gravy mix: Mix together 2 cups of chicken broth and 3 tablespoons of McCormick Organics Brown Gravy Mix.
Time to add the broth mixture: Add your broth mixture to the skillet. Give everything a good stir, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it cook until the rice absorbs the liquid.
Keep adding broth: Continue to add broth to the skillet, one ladle at a time, until the rice is cooked through and almost all the liquid has evaporated. You want your risotto to be nice and moist, with some amount of liquid still present in the skillet.
Finish it up: Turn off the heat and add your brown chicken, along with some grated Parmesan cheese.
Serve and enjoy: Dish out your risotto, serving it with some extra parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley on top. Then, sit back and enjoy your delicious, homemade chicken risotto!
For a full list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.
Tips For Making the Best Chicken Risotto
- Choose the right rice: For a creamy and delicious chicken risotto, it's important to use Arborio rice. This short-grain rice has a high starch content, which is essential for the creamy texture of risotto.
- Don't skip the toasting: When you add the rice to the skillet, make sure to stir constantly until it becomes somewhat translucent. This helps to toast the rice, enhancing its nutty flavor.
- Use a good quality broth: The chicken broth is a key ingredient in this recipe, so make sure to use a high-quality one. You can also use homemade chicken broth for an even better flavor.
- Patience is key: Making a perfect risotto takes time, so be patient. Add the chicken broth one ladle at a time and stir constantly. This gradual process helps to release the starch from the rice, giving the risotto its characteristic creamy texture.
- Finish with the right ingredients: After the rice is cooked through, turn off the heat and add the brown chicken and grated Parmesan cheese. The chicken adds protein and flavor, while the Parmesan cheese adds a rich, savory note to the risotto.
Serving Suggestions
- For a balanced meal, pair this hearty chicken risotto with a refreshing green salad. The crisp, fresh greens will provide a nice contrast to the creamy risotto.
- If you're looking to add more veggies to your meal, try serving it with a side of roasted vegetables. The earthy flavors of the vegetables complement the savory chicken and parmesan cheese in the risotto.
- For an extra burst of flavor, serve your chicken risotto with a side of garlic bread. The garlic and buttery flavors of the bread will enhance the overall dining experience.
- If you like a bit of heat, sprinkle some chili flakes on top of your chicken risotto. The spicy flavor will add a new dimension to this classic dish.
- Finish off your meal with a sweet treat like panna cotta. The creamy, Italian dessert is a perfect way to end a meal of chicken risotto.
- Don't forget to pour yourself a glass of white wine to enjoy with your chicken risotto. The crisp, fruity flavors of the wine pair beautifully with the savory, creamy risotto.
Recipe Variation Ideas
- Spicy: If you're a fan of spicy food, this variation is for you. Simply add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes or a chopped, spicy pepper of your choice, like a jalapeño, to the onion and garlic mixture. This will give your chicken risotto a nice, spicy kick that pairs perfectly with the creamy rice.
- Creamier: For those who love an extra creamy risotto, this variation is a must-try. Increase the amount of Parmesan cheese to ½ cup and add ¼ cup of heavy cream along with the last addition of chicken broth. This will make your chicken risotto extra rich and creamy.
- Vegetarian: If you're a vegetarian, you can still enjoy a delicious risotto. Simply replace the chicken with your favorite vegetables. Mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers are all great options. Or simply try my vegan tomato risotto recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Arborio rice is the best choice for risotto due to its high starch content, which gives risotto its creamy texture. However, if you can't find Arborio, you can use other short-grain rice like Carnaroli or Vialone Nano.
If you don't have white wine, you can substitute it with chicken broth. The wine adds a depth of flavor to the risotto, but the dish will still be delicious without it.
If you're vegetarian, you can replace the chicken with vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, broccoli, spinach, or bell peppers. You can check out my vegan risotto recipe instead.
Yes, you can use dried parsley instead of fresh. Use about 1 tablespoon of dried parsley, as it is more concentrated in flavor than fresh parsley.
The rice is cooked through and ready when it is tender but still slightly firm to the bite. It should have a creamy consistency, with some liquid still in the skillet.
If you don't have Parmesan cheese, you can use Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano. These cheeses have a similar flavor profile and will work well in this chicken risotto recipe.
This chicken risotto pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Try serving it with a green salad, roasted vegetables, or garlic bread. For an extra touch of flavor, sprinkle chili flakes on top or drizzle with truffle oil. Enjoy with a glass of white wine for a complete meal.
How to Store Leftovers
- Refrigerator: After enjoying your chicken risotto, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Make sure it has cooled down first. They can be kept for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Unfortunately, risotto doesn't freeze well. The texture of the rice can become mushy when thawing and reheating. It's best enjoyed fresh.
- Thaw and Reheat Instructions: If you have frozen your risotto, ensure it is fully thawed in the fridge before reheating. You can reheat it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it is heated through.
You'll Also Like These Risotto Recipes
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Recipe
One Pot Chicken Risotto
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces
- ½ medium onion minced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 to 5 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 1 ¼ cup arborio rice
- 3 tablespoons McCormick Organics Brown Gravy Mix
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- a handful of chopped parsley
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large non-stick skillet and over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer to separate bowl.
- Turn heat down to medium and add minced onion and garlic. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are softened.
- Add rice and stir constantly until it becomes somewhat translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add wine and cook until alcohol is evaporated, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add 2 cups of chicken broth and 3 tablespoons McCormick Organics Brown Gravy Mix.
- Give everything a stir, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover with a lid and cook until rice absorbs the liquid.
- Continue adding broth 1 ladle at a time until rice is cooked through and almost all liquid is evaporated. You still want risotto to be nice and moist, some amount of liquid should be present in a skillet.
- Turn off the heat, add browned chicken and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Serve with some extra Parmesan cheese and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.
Mackenzie @ Food Above Gold says
I always love a quick meal - and the idea of using the brown gravy mix I'm sure gives it such a fantastic flavor boost. I never would have thought to try that!
Tina Jui | The Worktop says
Yum! I'm always looking for week night dinners, and this one hits the spot!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
Oh my gosh, I NEED to try that brown gravy mix. Like yesterday.
April J Harris says
What a fantastic, satisfying last minute meal! Your One Pot Chicken Risotto looks so delicious and wholesome. I haven't seen McCormick Organics before but I love their original brown gravy so I'm excited to try this healthier alternative!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
I haven't had risotto in such a long time, but it's such easy comfort food. This one looks great!