A win from Hello Fresh, this recipe takes a while to come together but isn't particularly difficult, and was a big hit with everyone. The chicken is optional but adds some welcome protein.

Mushroom Risotto with Chicken

Hello Fresh

Ingredients

• 400g mixed cremini, button, and oyster mushrooms
• two large sprigs of sage
• 4 tsp vegetable broth concentrate
• 6 C water
• 500g chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 1+2 tbsp olive oil, divided
• 1½ C arborio rice
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 125g baby spinach
• 6-8 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ C white wine
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• ½ C grated parmesan
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp chili flakes

Directions

1. Trim stems from button and cremini mushrooms. Slice caps thinly and retain both caps and stems separately.
2. Hand-shred oyster mushrooms.
3. Strip sage leaves from stems; retain both separately.
4. Combine sage stems, mushroom stems, water, and broth concentrate in a medium pot. Bring to a boil, covered, then reduce heat to medium-low and leave covered.
5. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large, deep-sided skillet over medium-high heat.
6. Add the chicken and cook until cooked through and nicely browned; remove and buffer.
7. Add the remaining olive oil and the sage leaves. Cook until the sage is crispy, ~1 minute. Remove and buffer with the chicken.
8. Add the sliced mushroom caps, oyster mushroom shreds, and onions. Cook, stirring often, until softened, ~6 minutes.
9. Stir in the garlic salt, chili flakes, black pepper to taste, rice, and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until fragrant and rice is coated, 1-2 minutes.
10. Add wine and cook until wine is absorbed, 1-2 minutes.
11. Reduce heat to medium.
12. Add 1 cup broth from the simmering pot (leave stems behind). Cook, stirring often, until broth is fully absorbed.
13. Repeat prior step until 5-6C of broth have been absorbed, rice is tender, and overall texture is creamy.
14. Stir in spinach and let wilt.
15. Stir in parmesan and butter until fully melted and incorporated.
16. Top with fried sage and chicken strips and serve with salad.