Description
Chicken & Chorizo Rice Skillet is a bold, flavorful one-pan meal combining tender chicken, smoky chorizo, and aromatic spices with fluffy rice. It’s a quick, easy, and comforting dish perfect for busy weeknights, delivering rich, satisfying flavors in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 6 oz chorizo sausage, sliced
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup tomatoes or 1/2 cup tomato sauce
Grains & Liquids
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
Spices & Herbs
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional additional spices (chili flakes, cumin, etc.)
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Others
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil (olive or vegetable)
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Dice the onion, garlic, and bell peppers. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and slice the chorizo sausage. Measure out the rice, broth, and spices so everything is ready to go.
- Brown the Chicken and Chorizo: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until golden on the outside but not fully cooked through, then remove and set aside. In the same skillet, cook chorizo until it releases oils and crisps up slightly.
- Sauté Veggies and Build Flavor: Add diced onion, garlic, and bell peppers to the skillet. Cook until softened and aromatic, stirring frequently to meld the flavors.
- Combine Rice, Liquids, and Spices: Stir in the rice, coating it well in the flavorful oils and juices. Pour in chicken broth and tomatoes or tomato sauce. Sprinkle smoked paprika and any additional spices evenly over the mixture.
- Simmer and Finish Cooking: Return the chicken and chorizo to the skillet and gently mix everything together. Cover the skillet and let simmer on low heat for 15 to 20 minutes until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
- Add Fresh Herbs and Serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle with chopped parsley or cilantro. Fluff the rice gently with a fork and serve warm directly from the skillet.
Notes
- Cut chicken into uniform pieces for even cooking.
- Let skillet rest off heat for a few minutes to allow rice to absorb extra flavor.
- Use homemade or high-quality chicken broth for richer taste.
- Lightly toast rice in skillet before adding liquid to enhance nuttiness and texture.
- Keep skillet lid tightly closed while simmering to trap steam and cook rice perfectly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: Spanish-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: chicken, chorizo, rice skillet, one-pan meal, easy dinner, weeknight recipe, gluten free
