Name: One Pot Chicken Risoni
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: Lemon Garlic Chicken:; 1 lb / 500g chicken thighs , boneless skinless (or breast), cut into 2 cm / 1" pieces; 2 garlic cloves , finely minced; 1 tbsp dried oregano; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1/2 tbsp lemon juice; 1 tsp lemon zest; 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper; Orzo/Risoni:; 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 garlic cloves , minced; 1 small onion , finely chopped; 2 zucchini (medium, or 1 large) , cut into 1cm / 1/3" cubes (Note 1); 1 red bell pepper/capsicum , cut into 1cm / 1/3" cubes (Note 1); 1 tbsp dried oregano; 2 1/2 cups chicken broth/stock , low sodium; 14 oz / 400g canned crushed tomatoes; 1 tbsp tomato paste; 1 1/2 cups orzo/risoni (Note 2); 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes (1 Australian punnet); 1 tsp cooking salt (kosher salt); 1/2 tsp black pepper; Garnish (semi-optional):; 2 tbsp lemon juice , drizzling at end; 1/2 cup (100g) Greek feta cheese , crumbled (not optional); Fresh oregano leaves (optional)

1. Veg – Any saute-able veg will work great here. Beans, carrots, celery, small bits of cauliflower or broccoli, even diced frozen veg.

2. Risoni, also known as orzo – Rice shaped small pasta sold in the pasta aisle, same price as spaghetti etc. Tastes like risotto, but much faster to cook!

3. Cooking vessel – Pictured skillet is a 30cm/12″ non stick skillet. 28cm/11″ deep skillet ok too, any smaller and you’ll need to be careful re: liquid overflow when transferring to oven. Else, use a large pot!

3. Risoni cooks very quickly! So transfer it to the oven as soon as it starts simmering on the stove, otherwise it will overcook by the time the bake time is finished (it cooks faster on the stove than the oven).

Check it after 15 minutes see if the orzo / risoni is done. Don’t worry if it’s done and it’s still quite saucy – that’s a GOOD thing! 🙂 The liquid evaporates quite quickly while serving. It was slightly wetter when I took it out of the oven.

4. Leftovers will keep for 3 days in the fridge though it won’t be as oozy as the risoni absorbs the sauce. Resurrect with a splash of water, and microwave.

Nutrition assuming 5 servings.

One Pot Chicken Risoni

Ingredients

Lemon Garlic Chicken

Orzo/risoni

Garnish (semi-optional)

Steps

Notes

Nutrition Facts