I use the term ‘skinny’ with relative reluctance.
I hate ‘skinny’. As in, the idea that we (women) should all aspire to be.
I don’t.
You shouldn’t. If you don’t sit there naturally, don’t shoot for it.
I shoot for ‘healthy’, ‘strong’, ‘happy’.
All of those good things.
That being said, ‘Happy Risotto’ just doesn’t really get the point across.
So, forgive me. This is my low-calorie Risotto. Still with some nice rice to keep things authentic, but I bulked this fella out with our friend, Cauliflower Rice.
Even if you’re not a fan of cauli, try it. I promise, you don’t taste it at all!
True to form, I’ve also packed a tonne of protein in here too. A spot of chicken, and some lean bacon which really changes the game if you’re watching your fat intake.
I’ve recently discovered a magic ingredient which is stealing the limelight of most all of my new recipes at the moment.
Stirring in some Philadelphia Lightest will fool anyone into thinking you’ve slipped a little cream in there. Except you haven’t, and you’ve just saved yourself a bunch of calories.
I call that a success.
Since we’ve made a lovely, creamy, filling risotto, and gone to such an effort to make it taste as indulgent as possible…it’d be criminal not to have a little somethin’ somethin’ on top.
Cheese included in the macros and absolutely compulsory.
It’s protein cheese, so it’s good for ya.
Science.
Chicken and Bacon Risotto
Ingredients
- 80 g Arborio Rice
- 300 g chicken breast
- 2 tsp garlic, minced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 sweet red pepper, sliced
- 200 g mushrooms, sliced
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp dried parsley
- 700 ml chicken stock
- 40 g extra light cream cheese
- 40 g protein cheese, to serve
- 95 g bacon medallions
Instructions
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Brown the chicken along with some cooking spray in a lidded non-stick pan for 3-4 minutes.
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Add the onion, garlic and bacon and cook for a further 3 minutes until softened.
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Throw in the mushrooms and allow to sweat for 5 minutes.
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Add your rice, herbs and half the stock then bring to the boil.
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Stir in the peppers, reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
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When the stock has evaporated, add half of the remaining stock. Repeat once the liquid evaporates once more.
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Cook the cauliflower rice in the microwave (3 minutes) then add to the pan once the rice is tender.
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When you’re ready to plate up, stir in the cream cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Top with protein cheese to serve.
Recipe Notes
Nutritional Information per serving:
Calories: 344 / Protein: 45g / Carbohydrates: 32g / Fat: 4g / Fibre: 5g
For a veggie version, simply omit the bacon and replace the chicken with 300g Quorn chicken pieces.
If you would like this recipe or any of our other recipes incorporated into your diet then make sure you check out our personalised meal plans.
This looks amazing! How much cauliflower rice should be used?
Going to make this at the weekend I think.
Hi Nicola!
I found that 250g worked perfectly! I know they sell bags of 300g in some supermarkets so that would also be fine 🙂
Let me know how you get on?
🙂
C x
This was delicious, I always shy away from risotto as feel it needs lots of attention. This was the perfect Sunday evening meal after a heavy Saturday night entertaining. Will definitely be making this again.
Hey Clare! So glad you liked it 🙂 I’m the same, nothing worse than babysitting a risotto for hours on end, I much prefer a nice little short-cut!