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September 16, 2025
Quick Chicken & Vegetable Risoni recipe (Orzo) Recipe
Tastes similar to risotto…. besides it’s far faster to make! Often known as Orzo, this risoni recipe comes with juicy chicken, a creamy parmesan sauce and loads of hidden greens. It’s a fast one pot recipe the children are positive to like. (And grown ups too!)
It is a fast dinner recipe that may tick all of your packing containers:
✅ quick and straightforward to make – 10 minute prepare dinner!
✅ made with on a regular basis pantry staples
✅ extremely customisable – use no matter greens and proteins you need
✅ full meal – protein, greens, carbs, dairy!
✅ the form of meals that’s universally interesting, one which large and little folks love
Is there a distinction between Orzo and Risoni?
Nope, they’re the identical factor! Tiny rice formed pasta that’s extensively obtainable these days, it’s known as risoni right here in Australia however most international locations on this planet name it orzo.
And right here’s what you want for this Creamy Chicken and Vegetable Risoni. There’s loads of substitution and customisation choices – see beneath.
Hundreds and masses… even the risoni!
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Risoni / orzo – sub with different very small pasta (like kiddie alphabet, tiny macaroni)
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Chicken – any protein, or skip it
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Frozen veg – I exploit this for comfort, sub with any diced greens
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Child Spinach – I throw in a few handles to get further diet in. Use any wilt-able veggies (even the leafy finish of Asian greens!) or add extra veggies
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Parmesan – any grated cheese!
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Flour – any kind of flour (white, brown, self elevating, cake flour)
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Milk – dairy or non dairy! Or a mixture of cream and water, or evaporated milk
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Chicken inventory (broth) – inventory dice with water. In emergencies, use water and much extra cheese! 😂
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Onion – leeks, further garlic, geen onion, shallots
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Garlic – garlic powder, further onion
Should you’re questioning how on earth this risoni recipe will be cooked so shortly, right here’s why – risoni / orzo takes a mere 8 minutes to prepare dinner from begin to end.
So we solely have it on the range for 7 minutes, then the tiny rice-like grains maintain cooking when you’re faffing round getting bowls out, serving it up, sprinkling on parmesan and yelling for everybody to get to the desk for dinner. 😂
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Use a pan that’s fairly deep – round 5cm / 2.5″ or extra. In any other case, use a big pot. Warmth the oil then sauté the garlic and onion for 1 minute to present them a head begin. Then sear the chicken for two minutes till the surface is seared however the inside continues to be uncooked.
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Add frozen greens (nonetheless frozen okay) and flour, then stir till the flour is integrated.
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Add parmesan and spinach, stir via till the spinach is wiled.
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The consistency ought to be like a unfastened risotto (it absorbs liquid and thickens fairly shortly when serving), good and creamy. So don’t stress if it appears extra soupy than what you need whenever you take it off the range, it can thicken because it sits round.
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Serve, garnished with parsley and extra parmesan if desired!
This one pot technique of cooking is a wonderful quick-meal possibility for busy nights. It really works for lengthy strand pasta (like this One Pot Chicken Alfredo and One Pot Bolognese) in addition to different brief pastas (like on this One Pot Vegetable Pasta and Broccoli Pasta).
The recipe makes sufficient for 4 to five. Leftovers will maintain for just a few days – however notice that leftover pasta isn’t fairly as saucy. Or attempt making Muffin Tin Spaghetti Nests with the leftovers which youngsters completely adore! ~ Johnsat x
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 1/2 onion , diced
- 250g / 8oz chicken thigh or breast , cut into bite size pieces
- 2 1/2 cups frozen diced vegetables (carrots, peas, corn, capsicum/peppers, anything!)
- 1 1/2 cups orzo / risoni , uncooked (Note 1)
- 1 1/2 tbsp flour
- 2 1/4 cups milk , any fat %
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock / broth (low sodium)
- 3 cups baby spinach (packed)
- 3/4 cup (tightly packed) parmesan , finely grated (or store bought sandy type)
- 1/4 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- More parmesan
- Parsley or chives, if desired
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pan over high heat. Make sure the pan is reasonably deep – around 5cm / 2.5" or more. Otherwise, use a large pot.
- Sear chicken – Add garlic and onion, cook for 1 minute. Add chicken, then cook for 2 minutes until seared on the outside but still raw inside.
- Vegetables and flour – Add frozen vegetables (still frozen ok) and flour, stir until flour is incorporated.
- Add uncooked risoni – Add risoni/orzo, stock and milk, then stir well.
- Cook 7 minutes – Bring to simmer then adjust heat so it's bubbling gently (see video). Cook for 7 minutes (no lid), stirring every now and then, until risoni is almost tender (still quite soupy at this stage).
- Add parmesan, spinach, salt and pepper. Stir through until the spinach is wilted.
- Serve – The consistency should be like a loose risotto (it absorbs liquid and thickens quite quickly when serving), nice and creamy. Serve, garnished with parsley and more parmesan if desired!
Notes
** Loads of substitutions and customisation options, see in post **
1. Risoni/orzo is a rice shaped pasta. Brilliant for quick meals because it cooks in about 8 minutes! 7 minutes on the stove, then while it’s being finished off.
2. Frozen veg – Feel free to switch the frozen veg with fresh. I used frozen for convenience because this is a handy super quick meal.
3. Leftovers will keep for a few days – but note that leftover pasta is never quite as saucy. Or try making Muffin Tin Spaghetti Nests with the leftovers which kids absolutely adore!
4. Nutrition per serving, assuming 4 very big servings!
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