Creamy Chicken Chorizo Pasta: Your New Favorite Easy Weeknight Dinner

Indulge in this incredibly easy and delicious Creamy Chicken Chorizo Pasta, a dish that brings together the rich, spicy flavors of chorizo with tender chicken in a luxuriously creamy sauce. Ready in just minutes, it’s the perfect solution for a satisfying weeknight meal that’s a little spicy, wonderfully creamy, and utterly delicious!

As a huge enthusiast of chicken pasta dishes, I’m always looking for ways to elevate a classic. While my site is already home to a plethora of incredible pasta recipes, this Chicken Chorizo Pasta has quickly risen through the ranks to become a new family favorite. The secret lies in the chorizo, which infuses the entire dish with a depth of flavor that’s both robust and incredibly aromatic, all while being surprisingly easy to cook with.

Chorizo’s popularity means it’s now widely available in most grocery stores, typically found alongside other sausages. Its unique blend of spices and smoky notes allows you to achieve a complex flavor profile without needing a long list of additional ingredients. This recipe truly demonstrates how a single ingredient can transform a simple meal into something extraordinary, making it perfect for those busy evenings when you crave something special but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.

Gather Your Ingredients for This Delicious Pasta

To whip up this delightful creamy chicken chorizo pasta, you’ll need a selection of fresh and pantry staples. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building the layers of flavor that make this dish so irresistible.

Chorizo: The star, providing bold, spicy, and smoky flavor.
Onion & Garlic: Aromatic foundations that enhance the overall taste.
Chicken Breast: Lean protein, cut into bite-sized pieces for even cooking and distribution.
Diced Tomatoes: Adds a touch of acidity and sweetness to balance the richness.
Italian Seasoning & Salt: Essential spices to bring out the best in all ingredients.
Pasta: Your favorite short-cut pasta works best for scooping up all that sauce.
Heavy Cream: The key to achieving that rich, silky, and creamy sauce.
Parmesan Cheese: For a final savory, nutty flourish and added creaminess.

Understanding Chorizo: The Flavor Powerhouse

Chorizo is a highly seasoned, often smoked, sausage renowned for its vibrant color and intense flavor. Originating from both Mexico and Spain, it comes in two primary forms, each with distinct characteristics that are important for cooking. While most commonly made from pork, beef versions are also available, catering to different preferences.

The type of chorizo you typically find in many American grocery stores, often from brands like Cacique, is usually fresh and uncured (Mexican chorizo). This variety is soft and crumbly, much like ground beef, and needs to be cooked through. When you add it to a hot pan, it breaks apart easily, rendering its flavorful fat and spices directly into your dish. This uncured chorizo is perfect for our pasta recipe, as it seamlessly blends into the sauce, distributing its rich flavors evenly.

On the other hand, Spanish chorizo is a cured or semi-cured sausage, similar to pepperoni or salami. It’s firmer and can be sliced into discs or diced before cooking. While it doesn’t break down in the same way as Mexican chorizo, it still offers a fantastic smoky and piquant flavor that works wonderfully in this pasta. If Spanish chorizo is what’s available to you, simply slice it and cook it briefly to release its oils and crisp it up before adding the other ingredients. Both types bring their unique charm and a burst of flavor that truly elevates this creamy pasta dish, so feel free to use whichever you can find!

looking down on a white plate of chicken chorizo pasta

Crafting Your Creamy Chicken Chorizo Pasta: Step-by-Step

Making this creamy chicken chorizo pasta is incredibly straightforward, designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort. Follow these simple steps to create a hearty and satisfying meal that will impress everyone at your table.

First things first, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook your chosen pasta according to the package directions, aiming for al dente. Remember to reserve a cup of pasta water before draining, as it can be useful later to adjust sauce consistency.
While your pasta cooks, begin preparing the sauce. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, add the chorizo. Use a spoon or spatula to break it apart as it cooks over medium heat. After 3-4 minutes, add the finely chopped onion to the pan and sauté until it softens and becomes translucent, about another 4-5 minutes. The chorizo will render its fat, providing a delicious base for the onions.
Next, introduce the chicken breast pieces to the skillet. Brown the chicken for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s mostly cooked through and lightly golden.
Stir in the minced garlic. Cook for just about a minute, until its fragrant aroma fills your kitchen. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter quickly.
Pour in the can of diced tomatoes (undrained), Italian seasoning, and salt. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 7-8 minutes. This allows the tomatoes to soften further and all the flavors to meld together beautifully, ensuring the chicken is fully cooked as well.
Reduce the heat to low, then stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Continue to cook for a couple of minutes, stirring gently, until the sauce begins to thicken to your desired consistency. The cheese will melt into the cream, creating a luscious sauce.
Finally, add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is thoroughly coated with the rich, creamy, and flavorful sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of your reserved pasta water until it reaches the perfect consistency.
Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley or red pepper flakes if you desire an extra kick. Enjoy your homemade, comforting meal!

large skillet of pasta with chicken and chorizo

Choosing the Perfect Pasta for Your Dish

One of the best things about this Chicken Chorizo Pasta recipe is its versatility when it comes to pasta choice. While you can truly use any pasta you have on hand, I personally lean towards short-cut pasta shapes. Varieties like penne, rotini, cavatappi, or farfalle are excellent because their nooks, ridges, and curves are fantastic at holding onto the creamy, flavorful sauce, ensuring you get a little bit of everything in each delightful bite.

However, don’t feel limited! Long pasta strands like fettuccine or linguine can also work if that’s what you prefer or have available. For those looking for dietary alternatives, this recipe is incredibly adaptable. Feel free to use whole wheat pasta for added fiber, protein-enriched pasta for an extra boost, or gluten-free pasta if you have dietary restrictions. The robust flavors of the chorizo and the creamy sauce will ensure that no matter your pasta choice, your meal will be absolutely delicious.

Expert Tips for the Best Chicken Chorizo Pasta

Boost Your Veggies: This dish is incredibly forgiving and welcomes additional vegetables. Consider adding diced bell peppers (red or yellow work well) with the onion for extra color and sweetness. Fresh spinach can be wilted into the sauce just before adding the pasta, or a handful of frozen peas can be stirred in with the heavy cream for a touch of green and subtle sweetness. Mushrooms or zucchini could also be sautéed with the chicken for more texture and nutrients.
Creaminess Options: The recipe calls for heavy cream, which is highly recommended for its ability to create a truly rich, velvety, and thick sauce that beautifully coats every strand of pasta. However, if you’re looking to reduce the fat and calorie content, you can certainly substitute with half-and-half or even milk. If using milk, especially a lower-fat variety, I would suggest using whole milk to maintain some richness and prevent the sauce from becoming too watery. For an even thicker sauce with lighter creams, you might consider whisking in a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of cold water (a slurry) into the sauce before it simmers.
The Al Dente Secret: For optimal texture, it’s always best to slightly undercook your pasta by about 1 minute from the package directions. When you toss the pasta with the hot sauce, it will continue to cook for another minute or two, absorbing the flavors of the sauce as it reaches perfect al dente doneness. This technique ensures your pasta isn’t mushy and is perfectly infused with the creamy, spicy goodness.

Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Chicken Chorizo Pasta

This rich and flavorful creamy chicken chorizo pasta is a meal in itself, but a few simple sides can perfectly complement its hearty nature, adding freshness or extra indulgence.

A Simple Tossed Salad: A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette offers a refreshing contrast to the creamy pasta.
Olive Garden Breadsticks: Soft, garlicky breadsticks are ideal for soaking up every last bit of that delicious sauce.
Air Fryer Garlic Bread: Quick and crispy, garlic bread is always a welcome addition to any pasta dish.
Roasted Green Beans: A healthy and flavorful vegetable side that adds a nice crunch and earthy note.

Explore More Easy Pasta Dinner Recipes

If you loved this creamy chicken chorizo pasta, you’ll be thrilled to discover more simple yet satisfying pasta dishes from my collection. Perfect for any night of the week, these recipes are designed to bring delicious meals to your table with minimal fuss.

One Pan Chicken Spinach Alfredo
Crockpot Mac and Cheese
Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
Cajun Sausage Pasta
Goulash
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
Creamy Sausage Penne
Cheesy Sausage Pasta

4.38 from 8 votes

Creamy Chicken Chorizo Pasta

By Erin Sellin

This Creamy Chicken Chorizo Pasta is a truly easy, flavor-packed dish that combines spicy chorizo and tender chicken with a rich, creamy sauce. It’s ready in just minutes, making it a perfect quick dinner idea that’s both comforting and incredibly delicious!

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 20 minutes

Total: 30 minutes

Servings: 6

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Ingredients

▢ 12 oz short cut pasta
▢ 9 oz chorizo
▢ 1/2 onion, finely chopped
▢ 1 chicken breast, cut into bite sized pieces
▢ 4 cloves garlic, minced
▢ 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
▢ 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
▢ 1/2 teaspoon salt
▢ 3/4 cup heavy cream
▢ 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Bring a large pot of water to boil and cook your pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Remember to reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
In a large skillet, add the chorizo and cook over medium heat, breaking it apart with a spoon, for 3-4 minutes. Then, add the finely chopped onion and sauté for an additional 4-5 minutes until the onions soften and become translucent.
Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the skillet with the chorizo and onions. Brown the chicken for 4-5 minutes, ensuring it’s mostly cooked through.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for just about a minute, until it becomes fragrant. Be careful not to let it burn.
Add the entire can of diced tomatoes (undrained), Italian seasoning, and salt to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 7-8 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to soften and all the delicious flavors to meld together, ensuring the chicken is fully cooked through.
Reduce the heat to low, then stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Cook for a couple of minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce begins to thicken to a luxurious, creamy consistency.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is completely coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
Serve your creamy chicken chorizo pasta immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs if desired.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author: Erin Sellin

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Course: Dinner Recipes

Cuisine: American

Servings: 6

Calories: 416

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