Chicken Pearl Barley Risotto Recipes

CHICKEN & PEARL BARLEY RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat a large saucepan over a medium-high heat and add the oil. Add the chicken and fry for 5 mins or until well-browned on all sides. Tip in the vegetables and cook for a further 5 mins until starting to soften. Add the garlic and pearl barley, then pour over 500ml water. Cover and leave to simmer for 25-30 mins, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, put all the dressing ingredients in the small bowl of a food processor and blitz until very finely chopped. Transfer to a bowl and set aside until serving.
• When the pearl barley is soft, but still with a little bite, and most of the liquid has been absorbed, it's ready to serve. Season to taste and divide the risotto between two plates, adding spoonfuls of the dressing, to serve.

BARLEY, CHICKEN & MUSHROOM RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan, heat the butter and oil. Sauté the shallots and garlic with some seasoning for 5 mins, then stir in the chicken and cook for 2 mins.
• Add the barley and cook for 1 min. Pour in the wine and stir until it is absorbed. Add the mushrooms and thyme, then pour over ¾ of the stock. Cook for 40 mins on a low simmer until the barley is tender, stirring occasionally and topping up with remaining stock if it looks dry. Remove from the heat and stir in the grated Parmesan. Serve immediately, with chives and Parmesan shavings scattered over, if you like.

SLOW-COOKER CHICKEN AND BARLEY RISOTTO WITH EDAMAME

Steps:

• Spray 4- to 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In slow cooker, mix chicken, onions, barley, carrot, garlic, salt, thyme and 3 cups of the broth.
• Cover; cook on Low heat setting 4 to 5 hours.
• In 2-cup microwavable measuring cup, microwave remaining 1 cup broth uncovered on High 2 to 3 minutes or until boiling. Stir thawed edamame and boiling broth into chicken mixture in slow cooker.
• Increase heat setting to High. Cover; cook 25 to 30 minutes longer or until edamame are tender. Stir in cheese.

SMOKY CHICKPEA & PEARL BARLEY RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat, add the onion and fry for 5 mins to soften slightly. Add the garlic and paprika, and fry for a further 30 seconds until fragrant. Tip in the tomatoes, stock, chickpeas, pearl barley and chipotle paste.
• Bring to the boil, cover with a lid and simmer for 35-40 mins until the pearl barley is tender but retains a little bite. Serve with a swirl of crème fraîche and a grinding of black pepper.