Pan seared chicken with mushroom risotto

Image courtesy of delishdiners

Following request for recipes I was instructed to provide a chicken and mushroom dish - so why not risotto? It is a hearty and comforting dish that is very filling and homely. The use of robust flavours and punchy herbs gives rise to conforting winter fayre also and can be constructed relatively cheaply if on a budget.

This recipe makes about 10 servings, which is good if you're feeding a large family. it also means you can store some of it and reheat it at a later point, makes a convenient lunch to take to work or wherever else also. Feel free to add other punchy ingredients such as lemon zest, herbs such as dill, fennel, tarragon, rosemary or even sage for added punch.

Ingredients

(makes about 10 servings so divide by 2 for a family sized batch)

2 Onions finely diced
1 leek white flesh only finely sliced
4 cloves of garlic crushed
4 tablespoons of olive oil
700g of Arborio rice
500ml of white wine
1500ml of chicken stock (boiling) or even mushroom bouillon
Seasoning
about 15 chestnut mushrooms, or 1 pack of enoki (use porcini if youre feeling more luxurious)
100g smoked bacon (streaky is best for flavour and cheapest) cut into same size as onions and leek
A punch of parmesan shavings

Preparation:

In a heavy based pan sauté off the onions, leeks and garlic, and mushrooms sweat but do not colour too much

Add the rice stir in and wait for the rice to start cracking

Add the liquid little by little stirring frequently until all the liquid has been absorbed

The rice such still have a bite about it and not soft

Remove from the heat and just prior to serving.

For the chicken:

(per serving)

1 Large chicken breast(use thigh deboned if on a budget)
few springs of rosemary & thyme
salt and pepper

Season chicken with salt, pepeper and herbs.Put chicken in a tupperware box wrapped in greaproof paper and leave to marinade for a few hours before cooking.

Upon cooking preheat oven to 200C.
Heat up a pan and add 1/2tsp olive oil.
Sear chicken both sides then place on oven tray and finish in the oven

Serve chicken on top of risotto. Finish with garlic butter if feeling even more adventurous..