Golden Chicken & Saffron Rice
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Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 35 mins
Add a touch of gold to your dinner with sunny saffron-kissed rice, brimming with a rainbow of Mediterranean veg and succulent chicken breast mini fillets, scented with fresh, fragrant oregano and zesty lemon.
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715 kcal
(per portion)
Ingredients you'll need
  • 4 courgettes
  • 2 onion
  • 2 red pepper
  • 4 vine tomatoes
  • 2 chilli
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 500g chicken breast mini fillets
  • 2 tsp fennel seeds
  • 400g risotto rice
  • 2 chicken stock cube
  • A pinch or two of saffron powder
  • 2 lemon
  • A handful of oregano, leaves only
From your kitchen
  • 1-2 tbsp olive oil
  • Sea salt
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 500ml boiling water
You'll need
  • Large pan
Step by step this way
  • 1.

    Trim the courgettes, halve them and slice into half-moons. Peel the onion and thinly slice it. Halve the red pepper and scoop out the seeds and membrane. Thinly slice the pepper into strips. Chop the tomatoes into small chunks.

  • 2.

    Halve the chilli, scooping out the seeds and membrane for less heat. Finely chop the chilli. Peel the garlic cloves and finely chop them.

  • 3.

    Pour 1 tbsp oil into a pan and warm to high. Add the chicken breast mini fillets into the pan and dust with salt and pepper. Fry for 4-5 mins, turning once or twice, till well browned. Scoop the chicken out of the pan onto a plate.

  • 4.

    Add another 1 tbsp oil to the pan if needed and slide in the chopped courgettes, pepper, onion, tomatoes, garlic and chilli. Sprinkle in 1 tsp fennel seeds. Fry for 6-8 mins, till softened.

  • 5.

    Add the chicken back to the pan. Tip in the risotto rice and stir well to coat the rice in the oil. Crumble in the stock cube and add a pinch of saffron powder. Stir in 500ml boiling water. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.

  • 6.

    Cover the pan with a lid and gently cook for 20 mins, stirring occasionally, till the rice has absorbed the stock and is tender. If the pan starts looking a little dry, add a splash more boiling water.

  • 7.

    When the rice is tender, squeeze in the lemon juice. Pick the oregano leaves off their sprigs and fold through the risotto. Taste the rice and add a little more salt if needed. Spoon the chicken and rice into warm bowls and serve.

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