The good news is this delicious Chicken Chorizo Bake recipe is low-carb, sugar-free, nut-free, egg-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free.
If you’re looking for a hearty, flavorful dish that brings a touch of Spanish flair to your dinner table, look no further than this bake. Combining tender chicken pieces with spicy chorizo, this bake is a celebration of bold flavors. Perfect for a family meal or a casual dinner party, this dish is sure to impress with its rich, savory taste and beautiful presentation.
Whether served as a cozy family dinner or as a crowd-pleasing option for gatherings, this delicious bake is sure to delight your taste buds and fill you up with its comforting goodness. It’s one of those rustic dishes that marries robust flavors in a delicious one-pot meal. You’ll definitely want to kick those shoes off and simply relax and enjoy, whether eaten alone or with family.
We’ve decided to offer this meal with two simple cooking options—you choose! It’s either baked in the oven or simmered on the stovetop. Either way, it turns out crazily tasty and can be enjoyed as a standalone meal or accompanied by crusty bread for dipping.
What’s To Love?
💕 This bake is a surefire crowd-pleaser that will leave everyone craving seconds.
💕 Warm, hearty, and bursting with flavor, and is comforting.
💕 This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to minimize cleanup. Everything is cooked together in one pan, making preparation and cleanup a breeze.
💕 The combination of juicy chicken and smoky, spicy chorizo creates a rich and savory dish that’s bursting with flavor.
💕 This bake is a hearty and filling meal, perfect for those days when you need something warm and comforting.
💕 There’s something inherently comforting about chicken and the addition of chorizo takes it to another level of coziness.
💕 Often tastes even better the next day as the flavors have had time to meld together.
💕 This dish can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator, making it a great option for meal planning. Simply reheat it when you’re ready to serve, and you have a quick and delicious meal on hand.
Have you already tried Chicken Chorizo Bake? If so, let us know how it was…we can’t wait to hear all about it!
Chicken Chorizo Bake Origin
It is difficult to determine the exact origin of Chicken Chorizo Bake, as similar dishes containing chicken, chorizo, and various vegetables have been prepared in various cuisines for many years. However, it’s likely inspired by the culinary traditions of Spain and Latin America, where both chicken and chorizo are popular ingredients.
Chorizo is a type of pork sausage extensively used in Spanish and Latin American cuisine. It’s seasoned with paprika and other spices that add a rich, smoky flavor to dishes.
Sometimes, you’ll find it with chili, which can be used for this recipe if you like that zing. The idea of baking chicken and chorizo together probably originated from the need for a convenient and delicious one-dish meal.
Let’s Talk Ingredients
We feel every ingredient adds to the overall taste and texture; if you remove one, it’s like you’ve removed them all.
- Chicken — use thighs, drums, or boneless chicken breasts.
- Chorizo — use spiced, unspiced, smokey, mild or even hot chorizo.
- Onion — use red onion for sweetness.
- Garlic — use them whole, halved, or quartered, but do not mince or chop. They add richness and a lovely garlic flavor.
- Peppers — use red bell pepper and/or yellow bell pepper because they provide a lovely sweetness.
- Oil — use rice bran oil because it can withstand high temperatures without turning rancid.
- Tomatoes — use canned cherry tomatoes as they add a rich flavor.
- Wine — use a Spanish red wine such as Rioja or Merlot.
- Stock — use chicken stock to compliment the chicken.
- Tomato Puree — is used purely to provide a natural deep color.
- Chickpeas — use canned for convenience.
- Spices / Herbs — use smoked paprika, bay leaves, flat-leaf fresh parsley, and ground black pepper.
For more detailed ingredients, see the recipe card.
Customizations
Here are some foodie alternatives should you want to make some changes:
- Chorizo — we don’t recommend substituting chorizo, but bacon or pancetta are good options.
- Onions — use white onions.
- Wine — use red wine stock pot instead of buying a bottle of wine.
- Stock — replace the chicken stock with vegetable stock.
Looking for something slightly different? For a delicious golden crust, consider adding a layer of cheese to the bake. Grated cheddar, mozzarella, or Parmesan cheese work well. For more variations check out our recipe card.
When substituting ingredients, remember that the taste, texture, and overall result might differ, particularly if you’re substituting many ingredients.
If you have made the Chicken Chorizo Bake with any customizations, we’d love to hear about it; please message us in the comments.
Instructions – Overview
Chicken Chorizo Bake is easy to make and is even easier to eat. Here’s a breakdown of how to get started on your baking journey (more detailed instructions are in the recipe card):
▶︎ To build the flavors, start by adding the sliced onion and sauté until softened. Add the chicken and cook for about five minutes or until sealed and loses its pink color. Next, add the chunky chorizo, garlic, and peppers to the pot to simmer and infuse. Stir in the tomatoes, bay leaves, wine, chickpeas, paprika, tomato puree, and stock.
▶︎ Leave to cook gently on low heat for 20 minutes to allow the ingredients to meld together and develop rich, comforting flavors. Or, bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes covered with foil to prevent burning and drying.
▶︎ When thoroughly cooked season to taste with salt and pepper, then top with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
For more detailed instructions, notes, and ideas…see the recipe card.
Tools You’ll Need
Want to make the best Chicken Chorizo Bake? Using the correct equipment for preparation is essential; we think they’re a big helping hand. We understand that you might already have some of these kitchen tools to make this recipe, or you might want to use other tools and may not require our recommendations. Here are some of our suggestions to get you started:
- Thermapen – is a great little tool to test meat temperature.
- 21cm Square Dish – for baking in the oven.
- Frying Pan – to cook on the stovetop, you will not need this if you’re baking the bake.
- Chopping Board – to chop the chorizo, onion, garlic, and bell peppers.
- Silicone Spatula – for stirring and incorporating all the ingredients smoothly.
- Weighing Scales and Measuring Spoons – to measure the ingredients accurately.
If you love those gadgets for this recipe, then you’ll love this Kitchenaid frying pan (skillet). It’s our go-to for many of our recipes, and we think every budding chef needs it. It’s the perfect pan for cooking.
Hard-wearing KitchenAid Frying Pan with heavy-gauge forged aluminum, fast heating, extreme durability, scratch resistance, 3-layer German-engineered non-stick coating, matte stainless steel handles for a cool and secure grip, induction-ready, oven safe up to 220°C, dishwasher safe and stackable for easy storage.
Check out our favorite kitchen equipment that we love to use with all our recipes.
Storing
See our FAQs for detailed instructions on storing, refrigeration, freezing, and defrosting and for answers to readers’ questions.
Do you have a question? If so, let us know in the comments and we’ll reply within 24-48 hours and add your question to our FAQs if relevant.
Pairing
Chicken Chorizo Bake is frequently eaten as a standalone one-pot, but can easily be paired. Here are some suggestions and our favorite go-to’s what to eat with it:
▶︎ Serve the bake with slices of crusty bread or garlic bread to mop up the delicious juices.
▶︎ Cornbread is a classic accompaniment to hearty dishes like bake. Its slightly sweet flavor and crumbly texture complement the savory flavors of the dish.
▶︎ A side of Spanish Rice complements the flavors of the chicken and chorizo. It adds a hearty element to the meal.
▶︎ A lovely pairing are potatoes, parboil them and add them to the dish before simmering or baking. They absorb the rich, saucy aroma, so they taste incredibly divine.
▶︎ For afters, a dense, dessert such as this Italian Bread And Butter Pudding or a crumble such as this Rhubarb Crisp Crumble will provide a sweet finish to this hearty meal.
More Recipes
Here are some other delicious recipes that we think you might also like:
Thank you for checking out Chicken Chorizo Bake!
We hope you enjoy making and eating it! Let us know how you get along, and please rate using the ⭐️ by the comments. HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest for all of our latest updates. Happy Baking!
⭐️ Quick Tip: Read the recipe in its entirety before you start. This will help you understand the ingredients, steps, and timing involved, and allow you to prepare any necessary equipment or ingredients beforehand. Voila…you’re all set to go!
Equipment
- Frying Pan - if simmering on the stovetop
- 21cm Square Dish - if baking in the oven
Ingredients
- 6 Chicken Thighs - or drums, or boneless chicken breasts cut into 3-4cm chunks
- 125 grams Chorizo - smokey, mild or hot
- 1 medium Red Onion
- 2 Red Bell Peppers
- 2 tbsp Rice Bran Oil
- 6 Garlic Cloves
- 400 grams Can of Whole Cherry Tomatoes
- 200 ml Red Wine - or red wine stock pot
- 200 ml Chicken Stock
- 1 tbsp Tomato Puree
- 1 tbsp Smoked Paprika
- 3 Bay Leaves
- 400 grams Can of Chickpeas
- 4 tbsp Flat-Leaf Fresh Parsley
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Preparation
- If you plan to bake Chicken Chorizo Bake rather than use the stovetop method, preheat the oven to 180°C, 350°F, Gas 4.
- Peel and slice onion, and peel and quarter garlic cloves. Set aside.
- Deseeded and cut red peppers into 3cm long pieces. Set aside.
- Skin chorizo and chop into ½cm slices. You can also halve or quarter. Set aside.
- Drain and rinse the can of chickpeas. Set aside.
- Roughly chop the parsley. Set aside.
Cooking
- Heat the oil in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan and saute the onions over medium-high heat for 4-5 mins until softened, stirring occasionally.
- Add the chicken and cook for 5 minutes until the chicken loses its pink color.
- Add the chorizo, garlic, and peppers, and cook for 1 min.
- Stir in the tomatoes, bay leaves, wine, chickpeas, paprika, tomato puree, and stock.
- Stovetop: Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer, partly covered, for 25-30 mins or until the chicken is cooked through, stirring occasionally. Bake: Pour into a baking dish and bake for 30-40 minutes in a preheated oven at 180°C, 350°F, Gas 4. Cover with foil for at least the first 20 minutes to prevent drying.
- When thoroughly cooked season to taste with salt and pepper, then top with chopped parsley.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Avoid using thinly ready-made sliced chorizo; buy whole chorizo to slice.
- Test the chicken with a meat thermometer to ensure it is cooked through. The thickest part of the chicken should register at least 165°F (75°C).
- Let the Chicken Chorizo Bake rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to develop further and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Select high-quality chicken, chorizo, and spices for the best flavor.
- You can use yellow bell peppers or a mix of red and yellow to add vibrancy.
- Use a good-quality full-body red wine such as Rioja.
- Cover the baking dish with foil for the first portion of baking to prevent the top from drying out. Remove the foil during the last few minutes of baking to allow the top to crisp up.
- Like many stews and bakes, Chicken Chorizo Bake tastes even better the next day as the flavors have had time to meld together. Consider making it a day in advance for an even more delicious meal.
- Before serving, let it rest for 5 minutes for the best flavor and texture.
- Cheese Topping: For a delicious golden crust, consider adding a layer of cheese to the bake. Grated cheddar, mozzarella, or Parmesan cheese work well.
- Potatoes: Consider adding a few new potatoes to the bake, but partially parboiling them before simmering the bake. This ensures they are fully cooked and tender when the bake is finished.
- Boned Chicken: While boneless, skinless chicken breasts are commonly used for convenience, you can certainly use chicken drumbs or thighs. They actually produce extra flavor.
- Chorizo: We don’t recommend substituting chorizo, but if you must bacon or pancetta are good options.
Feel free to swap any ingredient listed with whatever you have lying around. It will probably taste just as amazing! Please let us know how it was…we can’t wait to hear all about it!
See our FAQs below for detailed instructions on storing, refrigerating, freezing, defrosting, and answering readers’ questions.
Rate this Recipe⭐️ Please note that some of our posts may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, and any sales made through such links will reward us with a small commission at no extra cost to you. [Read More]
FAQ’s & Troubleshooting
By addressing these FAQs and troubleshooting tips, you can overcome common challenges and create a delicious batch of Chicken Chorizo Bake every time.
Your Questions Matter
Do you have a question? If so, let us know in the comments and we’ll reply within 24-48 hours and add your question to our FAQs if relevant. If you don’t already follow us, head over to our Twitter or Facebook to keep up to date with all our new recipes and articles.
For food safety top tips, check out USDA.gov.
have you already tried this Rustic Chicken Chorizo Bake? if so, let us know how it was…we can’t wait to hear all about it! For more yum recipes subscribe to our newsletter!
Sharon – Foodie Blogger
I’m a full-time food blogger, mother of 3 grown adults and 3 huskies. Most days you can find me in the kitchen creating new recipes, I love cooking indulgent bakes and love sharing them. I am lucky to connect with and inspire people from all around the world and help you on your cooking journey so you can eat in style!
You’re the best!! And did you say some champagne with for dinner too lol?? Love this dinner and can’t fault it!!
Hey, we love champagne too lol