Chicken risotto

A homely Czech-style chicken risotto with green peas and cheese — creamy, satisfying and ready in about 40 minutes.

Ingredients

• rice300 g
• chicken breast400 g
• green peas150 g
• onion1 pcs
• cheese80 g
• broth600 ml

Method

1. Prep your ingredients. Dice the onion finely and cut the chicken breast into bite-sized chunks. Grate the cheese and have the broth measured and ready — this dish moves quickly once it starts.
2. Soften the onion. Heat a little oil in a wide, heavy-bottomed pan over a medium heat and cook the onion for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent but not coloured.
3. Sear the chicken. Turn the heat up to medium-high, add the chicken pieces and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring now and then, until golden on the outside. The pieces don't need to be cooked through yet.
4. Toast the rice. Add the rice to the pan and stir for about 1 minute so every grain is coated in the pan juices and just starting to look slightly translucent at the edges.
5. Add broth and simmer. Pour in all 600 ml of broth and season with salt and pepper. Stir well, bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover and cook for about 15–18 minutes until the rice has absorbed most of the liquid and is just tender.
6. Stir in peas. Add the green peas, stir them through and cook uncovered for a further 3–4 minutes until the peas are heated through and any remaining liquid has been absorbed to a creamy consistency.
7. Finish with cheese. Take the pan off the heat and stir in the grated cheese until it melts and binds everything together into a rich, cohesive dish. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
8. Serve immediately. Spoon into warmed bowls and serve straight away — Czech-style risotto is at its best when it's piping hot and the cheese is still glossy.

Safety & hygiene Important

• Check chicken is cooked through. Before serving, make sure the chicken pieces are completely cooked — cut into a larger piece to confirm there is no pink flesh and the juices run clear. Chicken breast should reach an internal temperature of 74 °C.