Baked Chicken Risotto

A brilliant, stress-free risotto that requires no standing over a hot stove constantly stirring. Chicken, mushrooms, asparagus and rice are quickly mixed together with herbs, stock, spices and parmesan, then transferred to the oven to bake to perfection.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 brown onion, diced
• 1 tbsp finely chopped garlic
• 500 g mushrooms, sliced (optional)
• 500 g boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 bunch asparagus, cut into 1 cm (½ inch) pieces (optional)
• 330 g arborio rice
• 1 litre (4 cups) chicken stock, at room temperature
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme (optional)
• ½ tsp sea salt flakes
• ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
• 90 g baby spinach leaves (optional)
• 100 g freshly grated parmesan, plus extra to serve
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• Chilli oil, to serve (optional)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) (all oven types).
2. Heat the olive oil in a large, deep, ovenproof frying pan over medium–high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
3. Add the mushrooms (if using) and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
4. Add the chicken and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes until browned.
5. Add the asparagus (if using), arborio rice, chicken stock, thyme (if using), salt and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer.
6. Once simmering, cover with a lid or cover tightly with a double layer of foil and bake for 25 minutes.
7. Stir through the spinach leaves (if using), parmesan and butter. Allow to stand for 5 minutes before serving.
8. Serve with extra parmesan and chilli oil, if using.

Tips

• Can be adapted to use vegetables that suit your family’s tastes - zucchini, shredded kale, peas, green beans, or whatever you need to use up.
• Once out of the oven, there may be pools of liquid on top. As the risotto sits, the liquid will absorb. If still too much liquid, return to the oven for 5 minutes.
• Can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months (individual portions are best).
• Thaw completely overnight in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave.