Chicken Risotto – Food Faith Fitness

This rich and creamy chicken risotto tastes better than any restaurant’s and comes together in a little over half an hour.

A few years ago, on a trip back to my hometown, Miami, my cousin decided to cook everyone dinner one evening. What ensued was a creamy, mildly nutty, and rich risotto that I would become unreasonably preoccupied with on the plane ride back to Texas. She kindly shared the recipe with me, and so there I went. Confidently. In the direction of my dreams or something.

A little too confidently, I’d say. Because whatever I ended up stirring together in my kitchen the next day, a risotto it was not. Aside from a hand cramp, my ambitious experiment managed to also result in a somehow undercooked and charred soupy mess. Resigned, I poured myself a glass of the same dry white wine that I had used for that recipe.

At some point, I must have made a small mistake, and I just didn’t have enough risotto knowledge to fall back and recover that poor arborio rice.

This recipe, however, will get you to the end without any fuss, sweat, or confusion. It’s the kind of chicken risotto that tastes ultra-luxe but doesn’t take hours. That is my kind of meal.

Is Chicken Risotto Healthy?

This chicken risotto is a good source of protein and calcium. For added fiber and nutrients, serve this dish with delicious roasted vegetables and a big salad. You’ll find some yummy recipes shared in the Serving Suggestions section below.

To modify this chicken risotto to fit a vegetarian diet, feel free to use vegetable stock as well as your favorite plant-based chicken substitute instead. You can also use mushrooms in lieu of chicken.

Here’s Why Arborio rice is necessary

You may be tempted to sub in another kind of rice if you don’t have arborio, an Italian short-grain rice; the truth is that this dish requires this special ingredient. You simply won’t achieve the same creamy texture if you omit this ingredient.

Arborio rice maintains its shape while cooking and releases starches, resulting in a dish that is thick and creamy. This is why it’s perfect in risottos, stews, soups, and rice puddings, as well as other starchy desserts. Carnaroli rice is another variety commonly used in risotto, but in this recipe, arborio rice is a must.

FAQs & Tips

Serving Suggestions

If you’re looking for the perfect dishes to serve alongside this chicken risotto, look no further than this Roasted Eggplant and this Kale Salad with Cranberries. I’m also a big fan of this Sautéed Squash and Zucchini. For a dessert to end the night well, you really can’t go wrong with these amazing Chocolate Chip Cookies, which happen to be eggless.