

- 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
- 1-2 tbsp olive oil
- Sea salt
- Freshly ground pepper
- 500ml boiling water
- Large pan
- 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.