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!)
Oh my so delicious. Your recipes are the best. Thank you
This was insanely good and full of flavour. I added 1.5 tsp Vegeta only because I love it in my soups etc. My hubby is away, cant wait till he gets back so I can cook it for him. He is the cook in the family so I trial recipes on myself when hes away of how easy to cook and ingredients. This was perfect
I’m so glad you loved it Debbie and a bit of vegeta never goes astray!!
Is this freezer friendly?
Hi El, you can freeze it but add a little extra liquid before freezing – pasta always dries out in the freezer – N x
Thanks Nagi!
This meal is divine! So creamy and delicious yet light. My partner isn’t a fan of risoni but really enjoys this meal. Very simple and enjoyable!
That’s the BEST compliment ever Ash!
My two daughters, 2 and 5, have literally grown up on this meal, and request “the little pasta” almost weekly. But my husband and I love it too – healthy comfort food at its best! I use whole wheat orzo, but otherwise follow the recipe pretty much to a T.
That’s the BEST Paulina!!
Nagi! OMG! I made this last night at my friend’s house for dinner and it was a rotund success! How do I know? Her brother, a notorious veggie hater, ATE THE WHOLE THING! Thank you!
Yum! I used soy milk and nutritional yeast to make it dairy free and it was still delicious. Pretty healthy too, once you drop the Parmesan. Easy and comforting – thanks!
I’m so happy it worked out for you Emma!
My family and I including teenage boys adore this recipe. So simple yet utterly delicious.
That’s awesome Janet!! ❤️
Giving it 5 stars as it’s a great, tasty throw together meal anyone would like. I’ll remember this one.
Thanks so much Sue!
6pm and realised I’d planned nothing for dinner (just one of those days). Had one chicken breast and scrambled in the cupboard/fridge/freezer to find I had the ingredients for this. Lifesaver! No one even knows I was totally disorganised 😅 And it was delicious!!
That’s the best ever!!!
Great dish!! Made it with fresh veg, and tonne more risoni, but was still amazing 10/10
Wahoo, thanks Kane!
Nagi, making this for the first time tomorrow night….as I live in the UK please can I ask what the following are in grams as I don’t have cups:
2 1/2 cups of veg
1 1/2 cups of orzo
3 cups of spinach
Sorry to be a pain but I’m obsessed with your recipes x
if I wanted to make this dairy free would you recommend using almond milk or coconut milk?
Almond milk would work – or any oat/rice/lactose free would be fine – N x
Yes this is another winner and easy to make.
Wahoo, thanks Robert!
I am certainly no cook but this was soooo easy and delicious. Your blog may turn me into a cook against all odds LOL
Soooo incredibly easy to make, cheap ingredients and minimal time in front of the stove!!! I would recommend this recipe to anybody who loves a quick and nutritious meal 😀
I’m so glad you love it Joe!
Wow this was sooo tasty and so easy! The sauce is delicious! This is definitely going to get made lots more!
Wahoo!
Delicious recipe and super easy, you are making my life so much easier and the family are super grateful for all the new recipe ideas.
I LOVE YOUR WEBSITE.
Thanks so much Jenny!
Nagi, you are a doll. I love getting your recipes. I’m an avid cookbook reader and I can spot a good recipe by the ingredients. Yours are top notch. Keep sending those recipes.
You’re too kind Joanne! – N x
This was so tasty , quick and kid friendly! I added a teaspoon of Dijon, a squeeze of lemon and some fresh basil.
Perfect Ellen!!