↑

Delicious Little Bites

Loving Life One Bite at a Time

  • About
    • Disclosure Statement
    • Work With Me
    • Contact Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Low Carb
  • Gluten Free
  • Vegetarian
  • Desserts
  • Privacy Policy
You are here: Home / Recipes / Main Dish / Chicken / Chicken Risotto with Parmesan and Peas

Chicken Risotto with Parmesan and Peas

Published April 5, 2021 by Lauren Vavala

Thanks for sharing!

Chicken risotto with text overlay
2 images of Chicken risotto with text overlay between them

Chicken Risotto is a hearty, one pan dinner recipe. It’s loaded with juicy chunks of chicken, Parmesan cheese and peas in a creamy risotto base. This dish takes less than an hour to make and is perfect for weeknights or entertaining guests.

Overhead of Chicken Risotto in a black skillet with a wood turner in it over a wood board with a white towel under it

This post contains affiliate links. See our Disclosure Statement for more information.

I think I’ve mentioned before that risotto recipes intimidated me so much that I wouldn’t even attempt to try to make them. Now, that I’ve faced my fears, this one-pot Chicken Risotto with Parmesan and Peas is one of several risotto recipes I’ve shared. 

My other risotto recipes currently on this website are Parmesan Lemon Risotto, Spiced Pumpkin Risotto, Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto, and Spring Vegetable Risotto.

So, here is the truth about risotto. It’s actually not hard to make, but there are a couple things you must do. First, only use arborio rice. That’s the only rice that will give you the creamy result that is indicative of a true risotto. Second, you need to stir, stir, and stir some more. A lot more. This is also necessary to release starch from the rice and achieve that desired creaminess.

Other than that, this recipe is a piece of cake!

Why This Recipe Works

Easy: this risotto recipe is easier to make than you may expect. It takes less than an hour and 10 ingredients to make this dish. When it’s finished it has the perfect rustic look and feel to it.

Flavorful: chicken risotto has classic comfort food flavors, elevated by the creaminess of the rice, sweet peas and crunchy almonds.

Adaptable:  you can easily swap in or out your favorite vegetables. Many risotto recipes call for mushrooms, and they would make a delicious addition to this dish.

How To Make Chicken Risotto

Ingredients

Ingredients to make chicken risotto on a white background with labels

  • Chicken
  • Arborio Rice: this is the absolute best rice for making risotto
  • White Wine: can omit and use additional stock, if preferred.
  • Chicken Stock: at room temperature or warmed gently on the stove. Make sure it’s gluten free, if necessary.
  • Vegetables: garlic, shallot, frozen peas
  • Parmesan Cheese
  • Butter
  • Toasted Almonds: optional garnish and gives added crunch and texture to the dish.

The entire recipe and instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can also print the recipe from the card, if needed.

Prep!

Dice the chicken into bite-size cubes, mince the garlic and shallot, shred the cheese, if needed, and cut the butter into small pieces.

Create!

Chicken pieces golden brown in a skillet

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a Dutch oven, deep skillet or large pot over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then add it to the hot oil. Cook until it’s golden brown and no longer pink in the middle, about 5-7 minutes, depending on the size cubes you cut. Remove to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.

Arborio rice in a skillet with shallots, garlic and wine

Add another tablespoon of olive oil to the same pot, along with the shallot and garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until just soft. Add the arborio rice and cook 1-2 minutes to lightly toast, which helps slow down the absorption of the liquids and keeps the rice from turning mushy. Carefully pour in the wine. Cook, stirring frequently, until the wine is absorbed.

Risotto in a deep skillet

Add 3 cups of stock, one cup at a time, letting each cup full absorb before adding the next. Add the last cup of stock 1/4 cup at a time, until the rice is cooked al dente. You may not use all of the stock.

Chef’s Tip: you want the rice to be tender but have a little bite to it. It should not be crunchy or dry. You will see the rice get creamier as you near the end of the stock. I usually use 3 1/2 to 4 cups of stock.

Chicken risotto with peas in a black pan over a white background

Once the rice is done cooking, stir in the butter and Parmesan cheese. Mix until melted and blended. Stir in the chicken and the peas and cook a minute or two to warm through.  

Present!

Close up on Chicken Risotto in a deep black skillet

Top with toasted slivered almonds, if desired.

Chef’s Tip: to toast almonds, all them to a small dry pan over medium heat. Cook, tossing often, until lightly browned and fragrant. Be sure to watch the almonds very closely, as they go from toasted to burnt very easily.

Tips and Techniques

  • Use only arborio rice to get authentic, creamy risotto.
  • Just keep stirring! Stirring almost constantly is the key to the most perfect risotto. 
  • Store leftover risotto in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Consume within 3 days. When reheating risotto, be sure to add a little chicken stock or water to the bowl or pan to help keep it moist.

FAQ’s

Is Risotto Gluten Free? 

As long as the stock you are using to make the risotto is gluten free, then yes, risotto is gluten free.

What Do You Serve With Risotto? 

You can serve risotto on its own, especially Chicken Risotto, or along side of your favorite fall main dishes like roasted turkey, chicken, and pork.

Can You Freeze Risotto? 

Risotto is always best when eaten right away. Freezing risotto is not recommended.

More One Pot Chicken Dinner Recipes

Creamy Lemon Chicken and Rice
Creamy Lemon Chicken and Rice is an easy recipe that works perfectly for busy weeknights, yet is impressive enough for entertaining guests as well!
Get The Recipe
Garlic Chicken Pasta
Garlic Chicken Pasta is a quick and easy go-to meal that's delicious and family friendly. This recipe takes just 30 minutes and can easily be modified to suit a low carb or gluten free diet, if needed.
Get The Recipe
close up of garlic chicken pasta in a skillet with some wrapped around a fork with a spoon under it
Chicken Enchilada Pasta
Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Pasta is made with juicy chunks of chicken, enchilada sauce, plenty of delicious seasonings, and cheddar cheese all in just one pan. It’s a family-friendly meal that’s quick and easy.
Get The Recipe
Chicken Enchilada Pasta in a deep skillet with melted cheese, tomatoes and cilantro on top and a blue and white strip towel and part of a wood server showing in the background

Love this Chicken Risotto recipe? Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more!

If you try this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would please leave a comment and star rating. Thanks!

 

Overhead of Chicken Risotto in a black skillet with a wood turner in it
Print

Chicken Risotto with Parmesan and Peas

Chicken Risotto is a hearty, one pan dinner recipe. It’s loaded with juicy chunks of chicken, Parmesan cheese and peas in a creamy risotto base. This dish takes less than an hour to make and is perfect for weeknights or entertaining guests.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Chicken, Gluten Free
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 465kcal
Author Lauren Harris

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (divided)
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken (cut into bite size pieces)
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 shallot (minced)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 1/2 cups arborio rice
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 4 cups chicken stock (at room temp or warmed in a pot, gluten free, if necessary)
  • 2 tablespoons butter (cut into pieces)
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (shredded)
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • 1/4 cup slivered almonds (toasted, optional)

Instructions

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a Dutch oven, deep skillet or large pot over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then add it to the hot oil. Cook until it’s golden brown and no longer pink in the middle, about 5-7 minutes. Remove to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
  • Add another tablespoon of olive oil to the same pot, along with the shallot and garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until just soft. Add the arborio rice and cook 1-2 minutes to lightly toast. Carefully pour in the wine. Cook, stirring frequently, until the wine is absorbed.
  • Add 3 cups of stock, one cup at a time, letting each cup full absorb before adding the next. Add the last cup of stock 1/4 cup at a time, until the rice is cooked al dente. You may not use all of the stock.
  • Once the rice is done cooking, stir in the butter and Parmesan cheese. Mix until melted and blended. Stir in the chicken and the peas and cook a minute or two to warm through. 
  • Top with toasted slivered almonds, if desired, and serve hot.

Notes

Tips and Techniques

  • Use only arborio rice to get authentic, creamy risotto.
  • Just keep stirring! Stirring almost constantly is the key to the most perfect risotto. 
  • Store leftover risotto in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Consume within 3 days. When reheating risotto, be sure to add a little chicken stock or water to the bowl or pan to help keep it moist.
 
** Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 465kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 454mg | Potassium: 575mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 302IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 120mg | Iron: 3mg

This recipe was originally published on November 2, 2017. It was updated with an improved recipe, step-by-step instructions, new images, tips, techniques and video in April 2021.

Related Posts

Close up of Mongolian chicken strips with green onions and sesame seeds as garnish over white rice.
Mongolian Chicken
Close up of a wood spoon lifting up some buffalo chicken spaghetti squash casserole in a white baking dish.
Creamy Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole
A jalapeno popper chicken casserole with a wood server lifting some up.
Low Carb Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole
A wood turner lifting up a serving of ranch bacon chicken casserole.
Ranch Bacon Chicken Casserole
Close up of Greek chicken breasts.
Braised Greek Style Chicken Breasts

Filed Under: Chicken, Gluten Free, Main Dish, Recipes

Welcome, I'm Lauren!

Delicious Little Bites is where I share all types of recipes from appetizers to desserts. You will also find plenty of keto, gluten free, and vegetarian recipes here to help you put a delicious meal on the table every night that the whole family will love! Read More...

as seen on


Copyright ©2023, Delicious Little Bites. All Rights Reserved.