One Pot Chicken Risoni
A delicious and hearty dish that combines tender chicken pieces, colorful vegetables, and small pasta known as risoni, perfect for busy weeknights or gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade
- 1 lb chicken thighs (boneless skinless, cut into 2 cm / 1" pieces)
- 2 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the Dish
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 2 medium zucchini (or 1 large, cut into 1cm / 1/3" cubes)
- 1 red bell pepper (cut into 1cm / 1/3" cubes)
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth/stock (low sodium)
- 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 ½ cups orzo/risoni
- 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes (1 Australian punnet)
- 1 tsp cooking salt (kosher salt)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (drizzling at end)
- ½ cup Greek feta cheese (crumbled, not optional)
- Fresh oregano leaves (optional)
Instructions
Preparation
- Combine chicken marinade ingredients in a bowl. Let it marinate for 20 minutes (or overnight if you have time).
- Preheat your oven to 180°C/350°F (160°C fan).
Cooking
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large oven-proof skillet or pot over high heat. Cook the chicken until lightly browned but still pink inside, then remove it from the skillet.
- In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, garlic, and onion. Sauté for 1 minute. Add zucchini and bell peppers, cooking for an additional 2 minutes.
- Stir in risoni, oregano, chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, and pepper. Scatter the chicken and cherry tomatoes on top without stirring.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the risoni is just cooked and tender. There may still be some liquid on the surface, which is fine.
- Remove from the oven and drizzle with lemon juice. Garnish with feta and fresh oregano leaves if desired, then serve.
Notes
For extra flavor, consider adding some red chili flakes for a little heat. Feel free to substitute the chicken with other proteins, such as shrimp or tofu, for a different twist. Make sure to use low-sodium broth to control the saltiness of the dish.