30 Minute Cheesy Chicken Risoni (Printable)
Creamy skillet with chicken, risoni, and melted cheese ready in 30 minutes
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz), diced
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Vegetables
05 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
06 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 1 small red bell pepper, diced
08 - 1 cup baby spinach, roughly chopped
→ Pasta & Liquids
09 - 1 1/2 cups (10 1/2 oz) risoni (orzo) pasta
10 - 3 cups (24 fl oz) low-sodium chicken broth
11 - 1/2 cup (4 fl oz) milk
→ Cheese & Seasoning
12 - 1 cup (3 1/2 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese
13 - 1/2 cup (2 oz) grated Parmesan cheese
14 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
15 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
# Steps:
01 - Season diced chicken with salt and black pepper, coating evenly.
02 - Heat olive oil in large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Transfer to plate and set aside.
03 - In same skillet, add onion and red bell pepper. Sauté 2–3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Stir in risoni and Italian herbs; toast 1 minute, stirring frequently to coat.
05 - Pour in chicken broth and milk. Bring to simmer, scraping up browned bits from pan bottom.
06 - Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until risoni is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
07 - Return cooked chicken to skillet. Add spinach and stir until wilted, about 1 minute.
08 - Remove from heat. Stir in mozzarella and Parmesan until melted and creamy. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes if desired.
09 - Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one skillet so cleanup is practically nonexistent
- The risoni soaks up all the flavors while becoming perfectly creamy
02 -
- The risoni continues absorbing liquid even after you remove it from heat, so do not worry if there seems to be a little extra sauce at first
- Using low sodium broth is crucial because the cheeses add significant saltiness on their own
03 -
- Reserve a handful of cheese to sprinkle on top right before serving for that Instagram worthy cheese pull
- Let the dish rest for 5 minutes off heat before serving so the sauce thickens slightly and clings to every bite