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Lombardy-Style Rice with Chicken
This humble dish from the Lombardy region of northern Italy is known as riso alla pitocca. With familiar flavors and a creamy consistency from the starchiness of Arborio rice, it’s pure comfort food, Italian style. Riso alla pitocca is in some ways similar to risotto, but is simpler to cook because there’s no need to add liquid in multiple additions, nor for careful or continuous stirring. We do, however, stir the rice vigorously at the end, after the grains are tender, to help create a richer, thicker, more velvety consistency.
4
Servings
Tip
Don’t use chicken breasts, which are too lean and easily overcook. Chicken thighs are more flavorful, as well as more resistant to overcooking, so they’re the best choice for this dish.
45 minutes
Ingredients
-
1
pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
-
Kosher salt and ground black pepper
Directions
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01Season the chicken with ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper and ½ teaspoon pepper. In a 1-quart liquid measuring cup or medium microwave-safe bowl, heat the broth, covered, until simmering, 2 to 3 minutes; set aside, covered.
Reviews
February 29, 2024
Excellent, easy, and forgiving
I’ve made this multiple times and it’s a family favorite, also nice enough for company!
September 7, 2023
Family Favorite
I’m working through Tuesday Mediterranean cookbook. This was the first I made because I had the ingredients on hand. Excellent flavor and colors. The chives at the end add a nice touch. The kids devoured it and it reheated nicely the next day.
May 24, 2025
Needs more flavor
Nice and easy to make, but on the bland side.
October 20, 2023
OK but lacking in flavor.
Loved the simplicity but felt it was lacking in flavor. Perhaps some thyme, rosemary or sage would perk it up at bit.
January 5, 2026
Big Bowl of Comfort
We love this recipe. I found Milk Street purchasing this book for my sister and before wrapping it, having flipped through a few times, I purchased it for me on my kindle. Now I am a Milk Street aholic and this is a regular recipe in our house.
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I halved this recipe since it was only going to be me eating it and the leftovers. Unfortunately, I have realized I'm not a fan of chicken and rice, in whatever form.
I had to add a couple of tablespoons of water at the end of the 15 minutes because the rice was still a little al dente. The moisture was absorbed in the 5 minutes off-heat and I added the butter and cheese as directed.
This is tasty and flavorful and I was pleasantly surprised. However it will not be a repeat in my kitchen. The chicken thighs seemed to be a little rubbery, and I'm not sure if that was my cooking technique or the quality of the meat.