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Risotto is a deliciously creamy Italian dish that everyone should try at least once. It’s a recipe that intimidates people for some reason, but it’s really not hard to make all it takes is patience and attention. The secret to making risotto is to not leave it unattended! You will spend roughly 30-45 minutes standing and stirring, but once you get to that stage, that’s all there is to it. You don’t have to run around the kitchen, you can chat with people (wine: optional), and just check-in to see whether or not you need to add more liquid. If you follow our directions, you’ll be a risotto-making champion in no time, and once you taste it, you’ll be a believer for life!

Veggie & Chicken Risotto

Serves 8

Ingredients

  • 2 chicken breasts, cut to1-inch cubes
  • 2 (14 oz.) cans low-sodium chicken or beef stock (more or less depending on preferred texture)
  • 2 1/2 cups Arborio rice
  • 3/4 cup dry white wine
  • 1 cup water, optional
  • 1 bunch asparagus, chopped
  • 1-2 zucchinis, chopped
  • 6 oz. Portobello mushrooms, sliced
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Parmesan, garnish
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

  1. Heat a large saute pan or Dutch oven over high heat and add olive oil.
  2. When oil is hot, add chicken (seasoned with salt and pepper) and brown on all sides, 4-5 minutes. Set aside.
  3. Add chopped asparagus, zucchinis and mushrooms and cook until just softened. 8 minutes. Set aside.
  4. Melt butter in Dutch oven and add Arborio rice. Stir until rice is toasted and lightly browned, then return veggies and chicken to pan.
  5. Lower heat to medium and add white wine. Cook until wine is almost evaporated, stirring frequently.
  6. 1/2-2/3 cup at a time, add chicken stock, stirring frequently and replenishing liquids once mixture is dry enough that spoon leaves a track through the rice.
  7. When chicken stock is completely absorbed, taste rice and see if it’s tender enough. Risotto should be thick, but still able to spread out a little.

    [You want it to be al dente, but if it’s too crunchy, add 1 cup water (a bit at a time). Adding too much will make your risotto gummy.]

  8. Serve hot and garnish with Parmesan cheese.
Chicken Risotto in a cast iron skillet with a baguette

Recipe adapted from Sweet C’s Designs