This One Pot Chicken Risoni with Crispy Salami is your new go-to comfort dish. A luscious, creamy tomato-parmesan sauce wraps perfectly cooked risoni, while the juicy seared chicken breast brings the protein punch. Crispy, golden salami bits add savory crunch to every bite, and nutty chickpeas sneak in extra fiber and texture.
What makes this dish shine is how everything comes together in one pan—layered flavors, minimal cleanup. Whether you’re hosting friends or need a midweek pick-me-up meal, this cozy bowl of love is sure to impress and satisfy.
Full Recipe:
Chicken & Spice Mix:
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2 x 250g (8 oz) chicken breasts, halved horizontally
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½ tsp kosher salt
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¼ tsp black pepper
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½ tsp garlic powder
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¾ tsp paprika
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¼ tsp ground sage (optional)
For the Dish:
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½ tbsp olive oil
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100g (3 oz) salami stick, cut into batons
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½ onion, finely chopped
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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¼ cup dry white wine (optional)
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¼ cup tomato paste
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1¼ cups uncooked risoni (orzo)
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400g (14 oz) canned chickpeas, drained
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3 cups low-sodium chicken stock
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½ tsp kosher salt
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¼ tsp black pepper
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¾ cup thickened or heavy cream
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⅓ cup grated parmesan
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150g (5 oz) baby spinach
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⅓ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (optional)
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2 tbsp chopped fresh basil (optional)
Directions:
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Mix all spice ingredients and coat both sides of chicken steaks.
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Heat olive oil in a large non-stick pan. Add salami and cook over medium-high heat until golden and crispy (2–3 min). Remove and set aside, leaving fat in the pan.
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Sear the chicken in the same pan for 3 minutes per side or until cooked through (internal temp: 67°C/153°F). Set aside and cover with foil.
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Sauté onion and garlic in the same pan for 1½ min. Add wine (if using) and reduce until nearly evaporated.
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Stir in tomato paste, cook for 1 min. Add risoni, stir to coat.
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Add chickpeas, stock, salt, and pepper. Simmer on medium-high for 8 minutes, stirring often.
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Lower heat to medium as liquid thickens. Stir in cream, parmesan, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes (if using). Cook until spinach wilts.
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Slice chicken. Serve risoni in bowls, top with chicken, crispy salami, parmesan, and basil.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes
Kcal: 623 kcal | Servings: 4–5 servings
Introduction: The Cozy Charm of One-Pot Chicken Risoni with Crispy Salami
When it comes to comfort food that delivers big on flavor without the fuss, One-Pot Chicken Risoni with Crispy Salami is a true hero. This dish takes the simplicity of one-pan cooking and elevates it with rich, savory ingredients that come together in a beautifully creamy tomato-parmesan sauce. It’s the kind of meal that fills the kitchen with inviting aromas and brings the whole family to the table without hesitation.
Originally created with leftover salami in mind, this recipe has quickly become a favorite for its ease, versatility, and downright delicious results. The combination of crispy, golden salami, seared chicken, tender risoni (also known as orzo), and a creamy base infused with parmesan and baby spinach makes it a textural and flavorful delight. And with the addition of chickpeas, there’s a subtle nuttiness and boost of nutrition that makes it even more satisfying.
Why This Recipe Works
There’s a lot to love about this one-pot wonder. It’s efficient, quick to prepare, and perfect for weeknight dinners. But more than that, it’s thoughtfully constructed to layer flavor at every step. The rendered fat from the salami acts as a flavorful cooking medium for the chicken and the base of the sauce. This alone adds depth that you can’t get from just adding salami at the end.
The chicken is seasoned with a warm blend of spices including paprika and garlic powder, then seared until golden, which locks in juiciness and adds that beautiful caramelized crust. The creamy sauce, made rich with parmesan and cream, is balanced with tangy tomato paste and enhanced with the subtle acidity of optional white wine. As everything cooks together, the risoni absorbs all these flavors while remaining delightfully tender.
Chickpeas are a somewhat unexpected addition, but they truly shine in this dish. Not only do they add texture and earthiness, but they also offer fiber, protein, and a pleasant contrast to the silky pasta and sauce. Spinach (or kale) is stirred in at the end, bringing a burst of color and freshness that rounds out the dish beautifully.
The Role of Risoni (Orzo) in One-Pot Cooking
Risoni, also known as orzo, is a small, rice-shaped pasta that’s ideal for one-pot recipes. Unlike larger pastas, it cooks quickly and evenly, making it perfect for being simmered directly in the sauce. This technique not only infuses the pasta with flavor but also creates a naturally creamy texture as the starches are released into the sauce.
Because of its size and shape, risoni tends to feel a little more refined than traditional pasta and is easier to serve in a bowl-based dish like this one. It’s also incredibly versatile and pairs well with a wide range of proteins and sauces. In this recipe, it acts as the glue that ties everything together—from the chicken to the chickpeas and creamy tomato sauce.
The Magic of Crispy Salami
While salami is often relegated to charcuterie boards or sandwiches, it truly shines when given the chance to crisp up in a hot pan. Much like bacon or chorizo, salami becomes intensely flavorful and delightfully crunchy when cooked. In this dish, it serves two purposes: as a flavoring agent and as a garnish.
Cooking the salami at the beginning of the recipe allows its flavorful fat to render out, which is then used to sear the chicken and sauté the aromatics. The result is a deeper, more complex flavor that permeates the entire dish. Sprinkling the crispy pieces on top just before serving adds a satisfying crunch and savory punch that takes the whole dish up a notch.
Optional Ingredients That Elevate the Dish
One of the best things about this recipe is its flexibility. While it’s already rich and flavorful on its own, a few optional additions can add even more nuance. For instance, a splash of dry white wine can be used to deglaze the pan after searing the chicken, helping to lift all the tasty browned bits and infuse the sauce with extra depth.
Sun-dried tomatoes offer a sweet and tangy intensity that complements the cream and spinach beautifully. They also add a chewy texture that contrasts nicely with the risoni. Fresh basil, if available, gives the final dish a herbaceous brightness and a pop of color that’s perfect for presentation.
These extras are completely optional and shouldn’t require a special trip to the store. But if you happen to have them on hand, they’re well worth adding for a more elevated version of the dish.
Meal Prep and Storage Tips
This chicken risoni dish is not only easy to prepare but also great for leftovers. It stores well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. The creamy sauce tends to thicken over time, so adding a splash of water or broth during reheating helps bring it back to its original consistency.
While pasta dishes generally aren’t ideal for freezing due to texture changes, this recipe actually holds up quite well when frozen in individual portions. Just make sure to let it cool completely before transferring to airtight containers. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm on the stove, again adding a bit of liquid to loosen up the sauce.
Versatility and Customization
This recipe is a great base for experimentation. For those who don’t eat salami, bacon or chorizo are excellent substitutes that still provide that same satisfying crisp and flavor. You can also switch out the chicken for turkey, pork, or even a vegetarian protein like tempeh or mushrooms if you’re looking for a meatless variation.
Other beans like cannellini or butter beans can replace chickpeas, and kale or Swiss chard can stand in for spinach. You can even spice it up with a bit of chili flake or smoked paprika if you prefer a bit of heat. The creamy base pairs well with a wide range of flavors, so feel free to make it your own.
Serving Suggestions
This dish is hearty enough to stand alone, but if you want to round out your meal, it pairs beautifully with a simple side salad—something crisp and acidic like arugula with lemon vinaigrette can balance the richness of the pasta. Garlic bread or warm crusty bread is also a great accompaniment for soaking up the creamy sauce.
For entertaining, consider plating it on a large serving platter, garnished with extra parmesan, fresh herbs, and a final sprinkle of crispy salami. It’s visually impressive and serves beautifully in a buffet-style or family-style dinner setting.
Nutritional Notes
While this recipe leans toward the indulgent side with cream and pasta, it’s also surprisingly balanced. The addition of chickpeas brings plant-based protein and fiber, while the spinach adds iron and vitamins A and C. Using low-fat cream is an option if you’re looking to lighten it up a bit, and the salami can be used sparingly to control sodium and fat content.
It’s a satisfying dish that feels indulgent without being overly heavy. Perfect for cooler months or any time you want something cozy and fulfilling.
Conclusion: A Flavorful, Foolproof Favorite
One Pot Chicken Risoni with Crispy Salami is more than just a quick weeknight dinner—it’s a celebration of how simple ingredients can come together to create something deeply satisfying. Every component serves a purpose, from the crispy salami that adds texture and savory depth to the creamy risoni base that ties it all together.
Whether you follow the recipe to the letter or use it as a canvas for your own twists, it’s hard to go wrong with a dish like this. It’s comforting, flavorful, and surprisingly refined. Best of all, everything comes together in a single pan, making cleanup a breeze. This is the kind of meal you’ll come back to again and again—and each time, it might be just a little bit different, but always just as delicious.