Almost Hands-Free Risotto with Chicken and Herbs

Classic risotto can demand half an hour of stovetop tedium for the best creamy results. Our goal was five minutes of stirring, tops.

A cookbook recipe exclusively for ATK Essential members from The How Can It Be Gluten-Free Cookbook

YIELD Serves 6

TIME 1½ hours

Almost Hands-Free Risotto with Chicken and Herbs photo
The How Can It Be Gluten-Free CookbookA cookbook recipe exclusively for ATK Essential members from The How Can It Be Gluten-Free Cookbook

Why This Recipe Works

Gather Your Ingredients

Key Equipment

Key Equipment - Measuring Spoons
Key Equipment - Dutch Ovens
Key Equipment - The Best Chef’s Knives for $75 or Less

Before You Begin

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Adding chicken breasts to the risotto turns a side dish into a main course. Be aware that the thinner ends of the chicken breasts may be fully cooked by the time the broth is added to the rice, with the thicker ends finishing about 5 minutes later. If you prefer a brothy risotto, add the extra broth in step 6. Carnaroli rice can be substituted for the Arborio; the risotto will be softer and creamier.

Instructions

1.

Bring broth and water to boil in large saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low to maintain gentle simmer.

2.

Heat olive oil in large Dutch oven over medium heat until just starting to smoke. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Add chicken, skin side down, and cook without moving until golden brown, 4 to 6 minutes. Flip chicken and cook second side until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Transfer chicken to saucepan of simmering broth and cook until instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part registers 165 degrees, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to large plate.

3.

Add 2 tablespoons butter to now empty Dutch oven set over medium heat. When butter has melted, add onion and 3/4 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring frequently, until onion is softened but not browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add rice and cook, stirring frequently, until grains are translucent around edges, about 3 minutes.

4.

Add wine and cook, stirring constantly, until fully absorbed, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir 5 cups warm broth into rice; reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until almost all liquid has been absorbed and rice is just al dente, 16 to 18 minutes, stirring twice during cooking.

5.

Add ¾ cup warm broth to risotto and stir gently and constantly until risotto becomes creamy, about 3 minutes. Stir in Parmesan. Remove pot from heat, cover, and let stand for 5 minutes.

6.

Meanwhile, remove and discard skin and bones from chicken, and shred meat into bite-size pieces. Gently stir shredded chicken, remaining 2 tablespoons butter, lemon juice, parsley, and chives into risotto. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, add up to ½ cup additional broth to loosen texture of risotto.

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