Creamy Chicken Chorizo Pasta: Your New Favorite Spicy & Savory Weeknight Meal
Indulge in this incredibly easy and flavorful creamy pasta dish featuring tender chicken and spicy chorizo. Ready in minutes, it’s a delightful combination of savory, spicy, and perfectly creamy – a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any night of the week!
There’s nothing quite like a comforting bowl of pasta, especially when it comes together quickly after a long day. As a huge enthusiast of chicken pasta, my recipe collection is overflowing with variations. However, this Creamy Chicken Chorizo Pasta has quickly risen through the ranks to become a top contender. The addition of chorizo is a game-changer, infusing the dish with an unparalleled depth of flavor and a delightful hint of spice that elevates every bite. It’s surprisingly simple to cook with and transforms an ordinary pasta dish into something truly extraordinary.
One of the best things about chorizo is its accessibility. You can readily find it in most grocery stores these days, typically located near other sausages in the meat section. This flavorful sausage is a secret weapon in the kitchen, allowing you to build a complex flavor profile without needing a long list of additional spices or ingredients. Its distinct taste truly makes this creamy pasta recipe stand out as a quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying meal.
What You’ll Need for This Creamy Chorizo Pasta
Creating this delicious Chicken Chorizo Pasta requires a few simple, yet impactful ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the rich, creamy, and slightly spicy flavor profile that makes this dish so irresistible. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to gather from your pantry and fridge:
- Chorizo: The star of the show, bringing its unique smoky, spiced flavor.
- Onion: Forms the aromatic base, adding a subtle sweetness and depth.
- Garlic: Essential for its pungent, savory notes that complement the other ingredients.
- Chicken Breast: Lean protein, cut into bite-sized pieces for even cooking and distribution.
- Diced Tomatoes: Adds a touch of acidity and a vibrant color to the sauce.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs that enhances the overall savory taste.
- Salt: To season and bring out the natural flavors of all the ingredients.
- Pasta: Any short-cut pasta works wonderfully, providing the perfect vehicle for the creamy sauce.
- Heavy Cream: The key to achieving that luscious, rich, and velvety sauce texture.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, umami kick and helps thicken the sauce, with extra for serving.
What Is Chorizo and How to Choose the Right Kind
Chorizo is a highly seasoned, often smoked sausage that holds a prominent place in both Mexican and Spanish cuisines, though the two varieties are quite distinct. Primarily made from pork, you can also find beef versions depending on your region and preference. Understanding the difference between these types is key to preparing this pasta dish successfully.
Mexican Chorizo: This is the most common type found in many American grocery stores, often located near the ground meats or other fresh sausages. Brands like Cacique are widely available. Mexican chorizo is typically *uncured* and fresh, meaning it requires cooking before consumption, much like ground beef or pork. When you add it to a pan, you’ll break it apart as it cooks, allowing its rich, spiced fat to render and flavor the entire dish. Its flavor profile tends to be vibrant and spicy, often with notes of chili powder, cumin, and garlic.
Spanish Chorizo: In contrast, Spanish chorizo is a *cured* and often smoked sausage. This means it’s ready to eat as is, but can also be cooked to enhance its flavor. If you find Spanish chorizo, it will usually come in a firm, solid casing and can be sliced into disks or diced before adding to your pan. It offers a more intense, deeply smoky flavor with paprika as a dominant spice, alongside garlic and other herbs. While both types impart fantastic flavor, the cooking method for Spanish chorizo is slightly different – it won’t break down into crumbles like its Mexican counterpart.
For this recipe, either type of chorizo works well, so simply use what’s available and easiest for you to find. If using uncured Mexican chorizo, you’ll treat it like ground meat. If you have cured Spanish chorizo, slice it thinly or dice it to incorporate it into the dish. Both will lend their distinctive, delicious essence to your creamy chicken pasta!
How To Make Chicken and Chorizo Pasta: Step-by-Step
This recipe is designed for ease and efficiency, ensuring you get a gourmet-tasting meal on the table without spending hours in the kitchen. Follow these simple steps for a perfect creamy chicken and chorizo pasta every time:
- Cook the Pasta: Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook according to the package directions until it’s al dente – slightly firm to the bite. Remember to reserve about a cup of the starchy pasta water before draining, as this can be used later to adjust the sauce consistency.
- Brown the Chorizo and Sauté Onions: While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chorizo to the pan, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Once the chorizo starts to brown and render its fat, add the finely chopped onion. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions become soft and translucent. The chorizo will impart incredible flavor to the onions.
- Cook the Chicken: Push the chorizo and onions to one side of the skillet, or briefly remove them if the pan is too crowded. Add the bite-sized chicken breast pieces to the pan and brown them for 4-5 minutes, ensuring they are cooked through. Once browned, stir them together with the chorizo and onions.
- Infuse with Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic. Let it cook for just about a minute, or until you can distinctly smell its aromatic fragrance. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter quickly.
- Simmer the Tomato Base: Pour in the can of diced tomatoes (undrained), Italian seasoning, and salt. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 7-8 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to soften further and the flavors to meld beautifully. Ensure the chicken is fully cooked at this stage.
- Create the Creamy Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Continue to cook for a couple of minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce begins to thicken to your desired consistency. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add a splash of the reserved pasta water to thin it out.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked and drained pasta directly into the skillet with the creamy chorizo sauce. Toss everything together thoroughly until the pasta is completely coated with the rich and flavorful sauce.
- Serve: Dish out generous portions of this delightful pasta. Serve immediately, with additional grated Parmesan cheese on top if desired, and perhaps a sprinkle of fresh parsley for garnish.
What Pasta To Use for Chicken Chorizo Pasta
The beauty of this creamy chicken chorizo pasta recipe lies in its versatility, especially when it comes to your choice of pasta. While you truly can use any pasta shape you prefer, certain types are particularly well-suited to capture the rich and robust sauce.
I personally favor using a short-cut pasta for this dish, such as penne, rigatoni, rotini, or farfalle (bow-tie pasta). These shapes have nooks, ridges, or curves that are perfect for holding onto the creamy sauce, ensuring that you get a little bit of everything – chicken, chorizo, and sauce – in each and every delicious bite. The texture they provide also complements the chunks of chicken and chorizo beautifully.
However, don’t feel limited! If you have long pasta like spaghetti, fettuccine, or linguine on hand, those will work just fine. Simply ensure they are properly coated in the sauce. For those with dietary considerations, this recipe is also highly adaptable. Feel free to use whole wheat pasta for added fiber, protein-enriched pasta for an extra boost, or a gluten-free pasta option. No matter your choice, the key is to cook it to a perfect al dente for the best texture.
Expert Recipe Tips and Customizations
To ensure your Chicken Chorizo Pasta is nothing short of spectacular, and to make it truly your own, consider these expert tips and customization ideas:
- Boost with Vegetables: This recipe is an excellent canvas for adding more vegetables. To incorporate bell peppers, sauté them with the onions until tender. Peas can be stirred in during the last couple of minutes of cooking the sauce, or even after the pasta is tossed in, so they retain their vibrant color and slight crunch. Fresh spinach wilts beautifully into the warm sauce; simply add it at the very end and stir until just softened. Other great additions include sliced mushrooms, diced zucchini, or even roasted red peppers.
- Adjust the Creaminess and Fat Content: The recipe calls for heavy cream, which delivers an incredibly rich, luxurious, and beautifully thickened sauce. If you’re looking to reduce the fat and calorie content without sacrificing too much creaminess, you can definitely substitute with half-and-half or even whole milk. If using milk, I recommend whisking in a tablespoon of cornstarch with a bit of cold water (a slurry) before adding it to the sauce to help it thicken, as milk has a lower fat content and may result in a thinner sauce. For an extra rich, tangy twist, a dollop of cream cheese or mascarpone can be stirred in at the end.
- Achieve Perfect Pasta Texture: For the absolute best results, aim 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 and absorb the flavors of the sauce. This final cooking step in the sauce is crucial for perfectly al dente pasta that’s full of flavor. Always reserve a cup of pasta water before draining; this starchy liquid is your best friend for adjusting sauce consistency if it becomes too thick.
- Control the Spice Level: Chorizo naturally brings a good kick of spice. If you prefer it milder, look for mild chorizo or reduce the amount you use. For those who love extra heat, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the Italian seasoning, or even a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the finished dish.
- Make-Ahead and Storage: This pasta dish makes for fantastic leftovers! Allow it to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm it on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or milk to loosen the sauce and restore its creamy texture. You can also microwave individual portions.
- Protein Alternatives: While chicken and chorizo are a winning combination, feel free to experiment with other proteins. Shrimp can be added and cooked quickly after the chorizo and onions. Ground turkey or pork can replace the chicken, or for a vegetarian version, omit the meat and add extra vegetables or even cannellini beans for protein.
What To Serve With Chicken Chorizo Pasta
This rich and creamy Chicken Chorizo Pasta is quite satisfying on its own, but pairing it with the right side dishes can elevate the entire meal. Here are some complementary options:
- A Simple Tossed Salad: A light, crisp green salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the pasta, balancing the flavors beautifully.
- Olive Garden Breadsticks: Soft, buttery breadsticks are perfect for soaking up every last drop of the creamy, flavorful sauce.
- Air Fryer Garlic Bread: Quick and easy garlic bread adds another layer of garlicky goodness and is always a hit with pasta dishes.
- Roasted Green Beans: A healthy side that offers a slight crunch and complements the savory notes of the pasta without overpowering them.
More Easy Pasta Dinner Recipes
If you’re anything like me, you can never have too many easy and delicious pasta recipes in your repertoire. Here are some more fantastic options to keep your weeknight dinners exciting and flavorful:
- 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
Chicken Chorizo Pasta
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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
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Bring a large pot of water to boil and cook your pasta according to the package directions.
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In a large skillet add the chorizo to the pan, breaking it apart. Add in the onion, and sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onions start to soften.
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Add in the chicken and brown for 4-5 minutes.
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Mix in the garlic and let it cook for just about a minute, until you can start to smell it.
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Add in the can of diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning and salt. Simmer for 7-8 minutes until the tomatoes are soft and the chicken is cooked..
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Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese and cook for a couple of minutes until the sauce starts to thicken.
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Toss with the cooked pasta until everything is well coated.
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Serve with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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