Source

The Spruce Eats

Yield

6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 pound cooked chicken (2 large boneless chicken breasts)
• 1-quart chicken stock
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 1 medium shallot, or ½ small onion (chopped, about ½ cup)
• 1½ cups arborio rice
• ½ cup white wine
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for shaving
• Kosher salt to taste

Instructions

1. Pull apart or cut the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
2. Heat the stock in a saucepan, and lower the heat so that it stays hot but doesn’t boil.
3. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, heat the oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter over medium heat, then add the chopped shallot. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, until the shallot is translucent.
4. Add the rice and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon so that the rice doesn’t have a chance to brown, and cook until it gives off a nutty aroma and the grains are coated with the fat.
5. Add the wine and cook for 1 more minute, stirring, until the liquid is absorbed.
6. Pour in a ladleful of hot stock and stir until it is absorbed. (It’s important to stir constantly, especially while the hot stock gets absorbed so that the rice doesn’t scorch.) Add the next ladle of stock as soon as the rice is almost dry.
7. Keep adding the stock, a ladle at a time, waiting for the liquid to be absorbed before adding more stock. This should take between 20 and 30 minutes, or until the grains are tender but still firm to the bite without being crunchy.

8. Stir in the remaining butter and the Parmesan cheese and season to taste with Kosher salt. Fold in the chicken. Serve in individual bowls and garnish with additional shaved Parmesan.

Notes

• You’ll need about a pound of cooked chicken for this chicken risotto recipe. Cooking the chicken ahead of time (or use leftover chicken) is an excellent time-saver, particularly since you’re going to have your hands full just making the risotto.
• If you run out of stock and the risotto still isn’t done, you can finish the cooking using hot water. Just add the water as you did with the stock, a ladle at a time, stirring until it’s absorbed.
• To add some color and flavor, finish the risotto with a handful of chopped fresh herbs. You can also make this a complete meal by incorporating a cooked vegetable such as peas or asparagus.
• You can use grilled chicken, poached chicken breasts, or even leftover roasted chicken in this recipe. Another variation would be cooked sausage, either finely sliced or chopped. You could also substitute vegetable stock for the chicken stock.