Tastes just like risotto…. except it’s far quicker to make! Also known as Orzo, this risoni recipe comes with juicy chicken, a creamy parmesan sauce and plenty of hidden vegetables. It’s a quick one pot recipe the kids are sure to love. (And grown ups too!)
Creamy Chicken and Vegetable Risoni (Orzo)
This is a quick dinner recipe that will tick all your boxes:
✅ fast and easy to make – 10 minute cook!
✅ made with everyday pantry staples
✅ highly customisable – use whatever vegetables and proteins you want
✅ complete meal – protein, vegetables, carbs, dairy!
✅ the sort of food that’s universally appealing, one that big and little people love
Is there a difference between Orzo and Risoni?
Nope, they’re the same thing! Tiny rice shaped pasta that’s widely available nowadays, it’s called risoni here in Australia but most countries in the world call it orzo.
A quick Risoni recipe that’s a complete dinner made in one pot!
Ingredients you need
And here’s what you need for this Creamy Chicken and Vegetable Risoni. There’s plenty of substitution and customisation options – see below.
LOADS of substitution options!
Loads and loads… even the risoni!
Risoni / orzo – sub with other very small pasta (like kiddie alphabet, tiny macaroni)
Chicken – any protein, or skip it
Frozen veg – I use this for convenience, sub with any diced vegetables
Baby Spinach – I throw in a couple of handles to get extra nutrition in. Use any wilt-able veggies (even the leafy end of Asian greens!) or add more veggies
Parmesan – any grated cheese!
Flour – any type of flour (white, brown, self raising, cake flour)
Milk – dairy or non dairy! Or a mix of cream and water, or evaporated milk
Chicken stock (broth) – stock cube with water. In emergencies, use water and lots more cheese! 😂
Onion – leeks, extra garlic, geen onion, shallots
Garlic – garlic powder, extra onion
How to make it
If you’re wondering how on earth this risoni recipe can be cooked so quickly, here’s why – risoni / orzo takes a mere 8 minutes to cook from start to finish.
So we only have it on the stove for 7 minutes, then the tiny rice-like grains keep cooking while you’re faffing around getting bowls out, serving it up, sprinkling on parmesan and yelling for everyone to get to the table for dinner. 😂
Use a pan that is reasonably deep – around 5cm / 2.5″ or more. Otherwise, use a large pot. Heat the oil then sauté the garlic and onion for 1 minute to give them a head start. Then sear the chicken for 2 minutes until the outside is seared but the inside is still raw.
Add frozen vegetables (still frozen ok) and flour, then stir until the flour is incorporated.
Add the uncooked risoni/orzo, stock and milk, then stir well. Bring to simmer then adjust heat so it’s bubbling gently (see video). Cook for 7 minutes (no lid), stirring every now and then, until risoni is almost tender (still quite soupy at this stage).
Add parmesan and spinach, stir through until the spinach is wiled.
The consistency should be like a loose risotto (it absorbs liquid and thickens quite quickly when serving), nice and creamy. So don’t stress if it looks more soupy than what you want when you take it off the stove, it will thicken as it sits around.
Serve, garnished with parsley and more parmesan if desired!
This one pot method of cooking is an excellent quick-meal option for busy nights. It works for long strand pasta (like this One Pot Chicken Alfredo and One Pot Bolognese) as well as other short pastas (like in this One Pot Vegetable Pasta and Broccoli Pasta).
The recipe makes enough for 4 to 5. Leftovers will keep for a few days – but note that leftover pasta is never quite as saucy. Or try making Muffin Tin Spaghetti Nests with the leftovers which kids absolutely adore! ~ Nagi x
Watch how to make it
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One Pot Chicken, Vegetable & Parmesan Orzo (Risoni)
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 1/2 onion , diced
- 250g / 8oz chicken thigh or breast , cut into bite size pieces
- 2 1/2 cups frozen diced vegetables (carrots, peas, corn, capsicum/peppers, anything!)
- 1 1/2 cups orzo / risoni , uncooked (Note 1)
- 1 1/2 tbsp flour
- 2 1/4 cups milk , any fat %
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock / broth (low sodium)
- 3 cups baby spinach (packed)
- 3/4 cup (tightly packed) parmesan , finely grated (or store bought sandy type)
- 1/4 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Serving
- More parmesan
- Parsley or chives, if desired
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pan over high heat. Make sure the pan is reasonably deep – around 5cm / 2.5" or more. Otherwise, use a large pot.
- Sear chicken – Add garlic and onion, cook for 1 minute. Add chicken, then cook for 2 minutes until seared on the outside but still raw inside.
- Vegetables and flour – Add frozen vegetables (still frozen ok) and flour, stir until flour is incorporated.
- Add uncooked risoni – Add risoni/orzo, stock and milk, then stir well.
- Cook 7 minutes – Bring to simmer then adjust heat so it's bubbling gently (see video). Cook for 7 minutes (no lid), stirring every now and then, until risoni is almost tender (still quite soupy at this stage).
- Add parmesan, spinach, salt and pepper. Stir through until the spinach is wilted.
- Serve – The consistency should be like a loose risotto (it absorbs liquid and thickens quite quickly when serving), nice and creamy. Serve, garnished with parsley and more parmesan if desired!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Originally published June 2014. Updated June 2019 with fresh new photos, new writing, new video added and most importantly, Life of Dozer section added!
More risoni / orzo recipes
I love risoni because it’s so quick to cook – making it super handy for quick dinners!
One Pot Italian Chicken Orzo / Risoni Pasta – cosy, saucy one pot chicken and risoni dinner
Orzo / Risoni Bolognaise – one pot bolognese pasta dish!
Greek Lemon Orzo Salad – a bright fresh pasta salad loaded with Greek flavours
Creamy Salmon Risoni / Orzo (15 Minute Meal) – tastes like risotto, except MUCH faster to make!
Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Orzo (Risoni) (One Pot) – tastes like a creamy mushroom risotto
Baked Greek Chicken Orzo (Risoni) – Greek chicken AND orzo made in one pot!
Pea, Zucchini and Pesto Orzo / Risoni – a wonderful quick side dish
Life of Dozer
Sunny Tuesdays call for lazy working lunches out by the water…. (this is at The Boat Shed in Palm Beach, Sydney 🇦🇺. Not too far from where I live!)
Can this dish be frozen. My daughter is going to have a baby and I’m cooking for her freezer. Thank you
I don’t think the orzo will freeze well, sorry! N x
I never normally freeze pasta, but do freeze a couple of portions every time we have this and find that it freezes beautifully! We defrost in the fridge overnight, reheat on the hob and add a little water so that the sauce is nice and creamy again. We find that the orzo itself has the same taste and texture on initial cooking and when being reheated! Delicious recipe and I’ve currently got 2 portions defrosting in the fridge for dinner tonight!
I was wondering if the Quick Chicken & Vegetable Risoni recipe (Orzo) can be made with rice (basmati) instead of Orzo? I need to make it gluten-free for my son & since GF pasta is usually made with rice… Thanks for any suggestions! I love your recipes!!
QUICK COLOURFUL & YUMMY
NAGI WHAT IS THE POT YOU USE FOR THIS?
TX
Hi Dee, I use a chasseur pot here. You can eat more here: https://salesdock.info/recipetin-eats-essential-kitchenware/%3C/a%3E N x
Hi – just pointing out your method misses the chicken stock step. I was very confused until I watched the video
Hi Lisa, it’s noted there in step 5 🙂 N x
Omg. I read and read and read and was like ‘when do I add the stock!’ I’m so sorry 🤣
I have tried 3 of you recipes Nagi, and all brilliant and yum.
this one, sausage rolls and lentil soup, all delicious and cannot wait to try more 🙂
Delish. Tastes like a chicken pie without the pastry
YES!!! It really does Rosie – I’m so glad you enjoyed it! N x
I’m not sure what went wrong for me but I followed the steps and Orzo took 30 mins to cook overall even though it said it should 8 mins on the package. How did you manage to do it in 8?
Hi Magda, that doesn’t sound right at all, it shouldn’t take anywhere near 30 minutes to cook! What type of orzo did you have? N x
This was delicious.
Thanks Nagi!
Holly x
Hi Nagi, your recipes are awesome! Would rice work in this recipe? to make it gluten free? Thanks, Kay
Quick and yummy!!! Just made it for lunch using prawn and whatever fresh veggies we had sitting in the fridge. Served the whole family in less than 30 mins. Everyone loves it. Thank you
Wahoo that’s great Kathy! N X
Thank you Nagi for the very tasty recipe!
Will this freeze?
Can you freeze any left overs? We make this a lot – it is delicious!
Can I used can veggies? I just was given a bunch of canned mixed veg. I usually just throw them in pot pie but this sounds like a great change up
Made this last night another great recipe. I used leftover turkey drumstick meat. Nice easy recipe done in less than 30 mins. I also used fresh carrots and red bell pepper along with frozen corn and peas.
This is now one of our family favourites! I do add bacon and broccoli. Everything is better with bacon. Thanks so much for this awesome recipe.
I had a hodgepodge of veggies in my freezer and this was a perfect (and tasty) way to use them up.
I skipped the chicken and made a yummy vegetarian Risoni. Great idea, Nagi, thank you!
Quick, easy and filling receipe!
Thank you Nagi!
Delicious! We all really enjoyed this. Used a coastal veggie mix that had broccoli and added frozen peppers. Making again for sure!
Hi! This looks delicious – Is it possible to cook the chicken and veg separately to the rice?