Saffron Chicken Risotto Recipes

SAFFRON RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat the stock in a pan over a very low heat - have a ladle at the ready. Melt the butter and olive oil in a high-sided, non-stick frying pan. Add the onion and a large pinch of salt, then cook, stirring, for 5 mins until softened and fragrant but not colouring. Tip in the rice and coat in the oil and butter, cooking for a few mins until beginning to toast. Pour in the wine and cook, stirring, until it's absorbed. Add the saffron and begin to add the stock, a ladle at a time, stirring continually. Add more stock as it's absorbed. After 25-30 mins, all the stock should be absorbed and the rice should be creamy and al dente.
• Add the Parmesan and stir until melted. Turn off the heat and stir in the egg yolk. Season and serve with a peppery rocket salad, if you like.

SAFFRON CHICKEN RISOTTO

Steps:

• Cut chicken into 1-inch chunks; season with salt and white pepper. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, mushrooms, onions, red bell pepper and celery. Cook and stir until chicken is no longer pink in center. Remove chicken and vegetables; set aside.
• Melt butter in skillet until hot. Add rice and saffron; cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Add wine; stir until absorbed. Stir in 1 cup broth; cook uncovered, until broth is absorbed, stirring frequently. Continue stirring and adding remaining 1 cup broth and water, one cup at a time; allow each cup to be absorbed before adding another, until rice is tender and has a creamy consistency, about 25 to 30 minutes.
• Stir in cheese, olives, cream and chicken mixture; heat thoroughly. Serve immediately.

CHICKEN, SAFFRON RISOTTO (LOW FAT)

Steps:

• Sauté leek in pan with the extra stock, enough to cover bottom of pan. Cook until soft or even light brown, adding more stock if necessary.
• Add saffron and rice and stir until moistened.
• Bring chicken stock to the boil, then reduce heat to simmer.
• Add 1 cup of stock to the rice and stir until stock has been taken up; continue adding stock, a cup at a time and stirring in until taken up by the rice.
• Add peas, chicken* and lemon juice, zest and stir into risotto; cook 2 minutes more.
• Serve with parmesan cheese on the side - optional.
• *I partially cooked the chicken breast, cut into strips, in a little seasoned stock, then cut into reasonably large bite sized pieces and added to risotto.

SAFFRON RISOTTO

Steps:

• Bring the stock to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer.
• Ladle a little stock into a small bowl.
• Add the saffron threads or powder and leave to infuse.
• Melt 4 tbsp of the butter in a large saucepan until foaming.
• Add the onion and cook gently for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened.
• Add the rice.
• Stir until grains start to swell and burst, then add a few ladlefuls of the stock, with the saffron liquid, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Stir over low heat until the stock is absorbed.
• Add the remaining stock, a few ladlefuls at a time, allowing the rice to absorb all of the liquid before adding more, and stirring constantly.
• After 20-25 minutes, the rice should be al dente and the risotto golden yellow, moist and creamy.
• Gently stir in about two-thirds of the parmesan and the rest of the butter.
• Heat through until the butter has melted, then taste for seasoning.
• Transfer the risotto to a warmed serving bowl or platter and serve immediately, with the remaining parmesan sprinkled on top.
• Enjoy!