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One Pot Chicken, Vegetable & Parmesan Orzo (Risoni)
Recipe video above. Tastes just like risotto.... except it's far quicker to make! Also known as Orzo, this risoni recipe comes with juicy chicken, a creamy parmesan sauce and plenty of hidden vegetables. It's a quick one pot recipe the kids are sure to love. (And grown ups too!)
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 4 - 5 people
Calories: 536 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 1/2 onion , diced
- 250g / 8oz chicken thigh or breast , cut into bite size pieces
- 2 1/2 cups frozen diced vegetables (carrots, peas, corn, capsicum/peppers, anything!)
- 1 1/2 cups orzo / risoni , uncooked (Note 1)
- 1 1/2 tbsp flour
- 2 1/4 cups milk , any fat %
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock / broth (low sodium)
- 3 cups baby spinach (packed)
- 3/4 cup (tightly packed) parmesan , finely grated (or store bought sandy type)
- 1/4 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Serving
- More parmesan
- Parsley or chives, if desired
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pan over high heat. Make sure the pan is reasonably deep - around 5cm / 2.5" or more. Otherwise, use a large pot.
- Sear chicken - Add garlic and onion, cook for 1 minute. Add chicken, then cook for 2 minutes until seared on the outside but still raw inside.
- Vegetables and flour - Add frozen vegetables (still frozen ok) and flour, stir until flour is incorporated.
- Add uncooked risoni - Add risoni/orzo, stock and milk, then stir well.
- Cook 7 minutes - Bring to simmer then adjust heat so it's bubbling gently (see video). Cook for 7 minutes (no lid), stirring every now and then, until risoni is almost tender (still quite soupy at this stage).
- Add parmesan, spinach, salt and pepper. Stir through until the spinach is wilted.
- Serve - The consistency should be like a loose risotto (it absorbs liquid and thickens quite quickly when serving), nice and creamy. Serve, garnished with parsley and more parmesan if desired!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- ** Loads of substitutions and customisation options, see in post **
- Risoni/orzo is a rice shaped pasta. Brilliant for quick meals because it cooks in about 8 minutes! 7 minutes on the stove, then while it's being finished off.
- Frozen veg - Feel free to switch the frozen veg with fresh. I used frozen for convenience because this is a handy super quick meal.
- Leftovers will keep for a few days – but note that leftover pasta is never quite as saucy. Or try making Muffin Tin Spaghetti Nests with the leftovers which kids absolutely adore!
- Nutrition per serving, assuming 4 very big servings!
Nutrition Information
Serving
558g
Calories
536cal
(27%)
Carbohydrates
64.5g
(22%)
Protein
36.9g
(74%)
Fat
15g
(23%)
Saturated Fat
5.2g
(26%)
Cholesterol
67mg
(22%)
Sodium
858mg
(36%)
Potassium
608mg
(17%)
Fiber
5.3g
(21%)
Sugar
14.7g
(29%)
Vitamin A
7300IU
(146%)
Vitamin C
94.1mg
(105%)
Calcium
380mg
(38%)
Iron
3.8mg
(21%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4- 5 people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 536
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 558g | |
| Calories | 536cal | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 64.5g | 22% |
| Protein | 36.9g | 74% |
| Fat | 15g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat | 5.2g | 26% |
| Cholesterol | 67mg | 22% |
| Sodium | 858mg | 36% |
| Potassium | 608mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 5.3g | 21% |
| Sugar | 14.7g | 29% |
| Vitamin A | 7300IU | 146% |
| Vitamin C | 94.1mg | 105% |
| Calcium | 380mg | 38% |
| Iron | 3.8mg | 21% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.