Allow me to take you on a culinary adventure that is both comforting and delicious. Easy Cheesy Chicken Risotto is a creamy, cheesy risotto made with tender bites of chicken all created in one pot of bliss. This Easy Cheesy Chicken Risotto is exactly the kind of dish that wraps around you like a warm hug on a chilly night. It is perfectly simple in complexity but offers indulgence, making it an irresistible recipe for a busy weeknight or a cozy weekend dinner.
Why does this recipe get to shine? Because of that Arborio rice, and how it absorbs the richly flavorful broth turning into an undulating velvety texture. To that, add the melty cheese or cheese of choice and perfectly cooked chicken; and you end up with a dish that is as comforting as it is substantial. Best of all it is shockingly easy – even if you are no expert at making risotto.
I will never forget the first time I made this dish for my family. My husband, who’s usually a meat-and-potatoes kind of guy, couldn’t stop raving about it. “This is restaurant-level good,” he said, and I knew I had a winner. Since then, this risotto has become a staple in our household, often requested for birthdays, anniversaries, or just because.
What I love most about this recipe is how versatile it is. You can modify this recipe to your liking – add some veggies, switch the chicken for shrimp, or even make it vegetarian! It’s a blank slate but it’s simple enough so beginners won’t make mistakes.
So go ahead and make this Easy Cheesy Chicken Risotto as part of a large spread or just to treat yourself – it’s a meal you can’t go wrong with. It’s comfort food at its finest and I’m excited for you to try it!
Why You Need to Make This Easy Cheesy Chicken Risotto
This Easy Cheesy Chicken Risotto is really the best comfort food, and it is ridiculously easy to make. Here’s why you need to add it to your recipe collection:
- Creamy and Cheesy Heaven : The creamy, cheesy delight that comes from combining Arborio rice, chicken stock and cheesy goodness is unbelievably good. If you haven’t tried risotto yet, now is the time.
- One Pot Dinner : Do you want to minimize your clean up? I know I do. This dinner is cooked in one pot, and cooks up quickly. It is perfect for a busy weeknight when you have limited time, but you want something delicious.
- Very Versatile : You can add any type of vegetable that you like, swap out the protein or the cheese, and make it your very own.
- Kid Approved : This is a kid-friendly meal – they love it, and so do adults. You will find yourself making this multiple times a month because it is a hit with the whole family!
Tips For Easy Cheesy Chicken Risotto
- Use Warm Broth : Adding warm broth to the rice will help it cook evenly, and the rice will absorb the broth much better as well.
- Stir Constantly : Risotto takes a little bit of love to make. Make sure to stir, so the rice does not stick to the bottom of the pan, and you will get that nice creamy risotto.
Substitutions and Variations
- Vegetarian : Omit the chicken and try mushrooms, spinach, or roasted veggies.
- Swap Chicken : Try shrimp, sausage, or even tofu in place of chicken.
- Cheese : Try using Gruyère, cheddar or fontina for different flavors.
Make it Healthy
- Low-Carb: Substitute cauliflower rice for Arborio rice.
- Gluten-Free: Double-check that your chicken broth and cheese are gluten-free.
- Low-Fat : Use low-fat cheese and use less butter.
Wrapping it Up For Easy Cheesy Chicken Risotto
And there you have it! Something that is super delicious and easy to make. Please let us know how your Easy Cheesy Chicken Risotto turns out and check out some of our other recipes, like out Strawberry Lemon Bars, if you need something sweet to finish off your meal.
Easy Cheesy Chicken Risotto
Description
Indulge in a creamy and flavorful Cheesy Chicken Risotto, a comforting dish that combines tender chicken, Arborio rice, savory broth, Parmesan cheese, and a touch of herbs. Perfectly balanced and satisfying, this dish is a must-try for any risotto lover.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Start by heating the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent. Toss in the chicken pieces, seasoning with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown.
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Next, add the Arborio rice to the skillet, stirring to coat it in the oil and butter. This step helps the rice absorb the flavors and develop that signature creamy texture. Gradually pour in the chicken broth, one cup at a time, stirring constantly until the liquid is absorbed before adding more.
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Once the rice is tender and creamy, stir in the Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses until melted and well combined. Garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 2532.75kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 102.07g158%
- Saturated Fat 43.26g217%
- Cholesterol 369.45mg124%
- Sodium 6496.52mg271%
- Potassium 1654.67mg48%
- Total Carbohydrate 265.22g89%
- Dietary Fiber 9.85g40%
- Sugars 8.34g
- Protein 129.32g259%
- Vitamin A 2402.48 IU
- Vitamin C 15.08 mg
- Calcium 1543.79 mg
- Iron 15.79 mg
- Vitamin D 1.17 mcg
- Vitamin E 5.94 mg
- Vitamin K 88.56 mcg
- Thiamin 2.15 mg
- Riboflavin 1.62 mg
- Niacin 38.35 mg
- Vitamin B6 2.49 mg
- Folate 735.87 mcg
- Vitamin B12 4.57 mcg
- Pantothenic Acid 7.8 mg
- Phosphorus 1862.89 mg
- Magnesium 205.35 mg
- Zinc 13.11 mg
- Selenium 176.77 mcg
- Copper 0.94 mg
- Manganese 3.89 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
