Glorious 45-Min Pasta with Chorizo & Chicken

Oh, busy weeknights, right? Between work, life, and just trying to catch your breath, the last thing you want is a dinner that feels like another chore. I totally get it. For years, the kitchen was the last place I wanted to be, stuck in that corporate grind, just grabbing whatever I could. But then, something clicked, and I discovered the pure joy of cooking, especially when it comes to meals that can actually bring everyone together without a fuss. That’s exactly why I’m so excited about this pasta with chorizo and chicken. It’s got all those incredible, bold flavors you crave – that little kick from the chorizo, the tender chicken, all swimming in a super creamy sauce – but it’s so darn easy to whip up in one skillet. It truly embodies what we’re all about here at Pure Cooking Joy: simple, amazingly flavorful food that’s made for sharing, and you know we love sharing weeknight dinner ideas! You can learn more about my journey here, but trust me, this recipe is a game-changer for those nights you just need deliciousness, fast! You can also follow along for more kitchen inspiration on Facebook – can’t wait to cook with you!

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Why You’ll Love This Pasta with Chorizo and Chicken

Seriously, this dish is a weeknight miracle! Here’s why it’s going to become a staple in your house:

• Super Speedy: We’re talking deliciousness in about 45 minutes, start to finish. Perfect for when you’re rushing home from work or just need a quick, satisfying meal.
• Flavor EXPLOSION: That spicy chorizo mingling with tender chicken and a dreamy, cheesy sauce? It’s pure comfort and totally irresistible. You get that spicy pasta kick without all the fuss.
• One-Skillet Wonder: Less mess, less stress! Everything cooks right in one pan, meaning fewer dishes to wash and more time to actually relax. It’s the easiest skillet pasta you’ll make!
• Family Approved: Even the pickiest eaters usually gobble this up. It’s hearty, familiar, and just plain yummy – a real crowd-pleaser for any family dinner.

Ingredients for Creamy Chorizo Pasta

Alright, let’s talk about what you’ll need to make this amazing skillet pasta happen! It really is just a handful of things, and they all come together so beautifully. Trust me, having everything prepped and ready to go makes the whole cooking process feel like pure joy, not a chore. Here’s your list:

• A tablespoon of good olive oil – just for getting things started.
• 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken thighs, all cut into nice, bite-sized pieces. Thighs stay so tender in this, you’ll love them!
• 8 ounces of chorizo sausage, with the casing popped off.
• One medium onion, just chopped up.
• Two cloves of garlic, minced nice and fine. That little bit of garlic makes all the difference!
• One can (about 14.5 ounces) of diced tomatoes, don’t drain them – we need that juice!
• A cup of chicken broth.
• Half a cup of heavy cream for that dreamy, creamy sauce we’re going for.
• Half a cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Freshly grated is always best if you can!
• About 8 ounces of your favorite pasta. Penne or fusilli work great here, but feel free to use what you have!
• Two cups of fresh spinach. It wilts down so easily and adds a lovely bit of green.
• And of course, just a pinch of salt and black pepper to taste at the end.

See? Nothing too crazy. It’s amazing what simple ingredients can do!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Skillet Pasta

Okay, let’s chat about the stars of our pasta with chorizo and chicken dish! I’m a big believer that you can make most recipes your own, and this one is no exception. For the chicken, I just love thighs because they stay incredibly moist and flavorful, even in a busy skillet like this, but you can totally use chicken breast if that’s what you have. Just be sure not to overcook them! And the chorizo? Oh, the chorizo! I use a good, spicier Spanish-style dry-cured chorizo here, but a Mexican-style fresh chorizo works brilliantly too – just make sure to adjust your heat to your liking.

Now, for the pasta itself, the recipe calls for penne or fusilli, but honestly, any short pasta shape that can grab onto that luscious sauce will be fantastic. rigatoni, rotini, even farfalle would be awesome. And for my friends who need a gluten-free option, you’re in luck! We have a fabulous gluten-free zucchini bread on the blog, and the same principle applies here: just grab your favorite gluten-free pasta, like fusilli or penne, and cook it according to package directions. You might need to drain it a smidge faster than regular pasta, so keep an eye on it. It’s all about making it work for *you*!

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How to Make Pasta with Chorizo and Chicken: Step-by-Step

Alright, let’s get this deliciousness going! Making this pasta with chorizo and chicken is honestly pretty straightforward, and it all happens right in one big skillet, which I just love because, well, fewer dishes, right? You can check out how we tackle similar one-skillet wonders with our Chicken Florentine Skillet or our hearty Chicken Spaghetti Casserole for more ideas!

Browning the Chicken and Chorizo

First things first, get that big skillet nice and hot over medium-high heat. Add your olive oil, then toss in the chicken pieces. Let them get a gorgeous golden-brown sear on all sides – this adds so much flavor! Don’t overcrowd the pan, or they’ll steam instead of browning; cook in batches if you need to. Once they’re nicely browned, just scoop them out and set them aside. Now, toss in your chorizo. Let it cook down and get crispy, just breaking it up with your spoon as it goes. We want to get all that amazing rendered fat and flavor into the pan, so don’t drain it off! Scoop out the chorizo too, and set it with the chicken.

Building the Flavor Base

Now, into those lovely chorizo drippings, add your chopped onion. Sauté it for about 5 minutes until it’s soft and smells amazing, maybe even a little translucent. This is where the magic really starts! Then, throw in your minced garlic. You only need about a minute for this – just until you can really smell that wonderful garlic aroma. Be careful not to burn the garlic, or it can turn bitter, which is definitely not what we want!

Creating the Creamy Sauce

Okay, time for the sauce! Pour in your diced tomatoes (juice and all!), the chicken broth, that luscious heavy cream, and the grated Parmesan cheese. Give it all a good stir to combine. Let this mixture come to a gentle simmer. You’ll see it start to thicken up just a bit as the cheese melts in. This is the base for our creamy sauce, and it’s going to be so good!

Combining and Finishing the Skillet Pasta

Now, let’s bring it all home! Add your cooked pasta right into the skillet with the sauce. Then, bring back that beautiful chicken and the savory chorizo. Give everything a really good stir so that the pasta, chicken, and chorizo are all coated in that gorgeous, creamy sauce. Let it all simmer away for about 10-12 minutes, stirring every so often. This is when the sauce really thickens up and hugs all those ingredients. The pasta will finish cooking perfectly here. Finally, stir in your fresh spinach. It looks like a lot, but it wilts down super fast! Just a minute or two and it’s perfectly tender. Give it a taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. You’ll have this stunning, colorful skillet before you – just a gorgeous swirl of sauce, tender chicken, spicy chorizo, and bright green spinach.

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Tips for the Best Pasta with Chorizo and Chicken

Okay, so you’ve got this incredible dish simmering away, but let’s talk about how to make it absolutely *perfect* every single time. Little touches can really elevate this creamy chorizo pasta from good to out-of-this-world. First off, don’t skimp on the quality of your chorizo – a good, flavorful one makes a HUGE difference! And when it comes to the pasta, make sure you cook it just to al dente, because it’s going to finish cooking in that glorious sauce. We want it tender, not mushy. For that super creamy texture we talked about, make sure your heavy cream is good quality, and don’t be tempted to boil the sauce too rapidly once the cream is in; a gentle simmer is key. You can always get more inspiration for sauces from our easy Alfredo sauce or even our BBQ sauce for different flavor profiles we love!

Serving Suggestions for Your Spicy Pasta Dish

This pasta with chorizo and chicken is a hearty meal all on its own, but I love to pair it with something fresh to balance out all that richness and spice. A simple side salad is perfect – maybe something like our bright Cucumber Tomato Salad, or even a crisp Autumn Salad if you have some greens on hand. It just makes the whole meal feel even more complete, you know?

Make-Ahead and Storage for Cheesy Pasta

Good news! This creamy chorizo pasta is fantastic for making ahead, especially if you’ve got a super busy week. You can fully cook the pasta and sauce mixture (minus the spinach) and let it cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat it gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash more chicken broth or cream if it seems a bit thick, and then stir in your fresh spinach until it wilts. It’s almost as quick as the first time, and honestly, sometimes the flavors even meld together more. We have tons of make-ahead tips on the blog, like our crockpot steak bites, that might help you plan your meals!

Frequently Asked Questions about Pasta with Chorizo and Chicken

Got questions about our amazing pasta with chorizo and chicken? I’ve got you covered! We get asked a lot about how to tweak this dish, and honestly, it’s so forgiving, which is one of the reasons I love it so much. It’s right up there with our easy pasta salad recipe for versatility!

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely! While fusilli or penne are my go-to because they really grab onto that creamy sauce, you can totally use other short pasta shapes like rigatoni, rotini, or even shells. Just make sure to cook it to al dente as it will finish cooking slightly in the skillet. If you’re going gluten-free, any gluten-free short pasta will work wonders!

How can I make this spicy pasta less spicy?

If you’re sensitive to heat or cooking for folks who are, no worries! The spice comes mainly from the chorizo. You can use a milder chorizo, or cut the amount of chorizo in half and add a bit more chicken and maybe a little extra olive oil when you’re cooking it. You can also skip adding any extra chili flakes or hot sauce if the recipe called for it (though this one doesn’t!) to keep the heat down.

What if I don’t have chorizo?

No chorizo? No problem! While it adds a wonderful smoky, spicy depth, you can definitely swap it out. Crumbled Italian sausage (mild or hot) is a fantastic substitute. You could also try some spicy ground pork or even ground turkey mixed with a teaspoon of smoked paprika and a pinch of cayenne pepper for a similar flavor profile. It might change the vibe a little, but it will still be delicious cheesy pasta!

Can I add more vegetables to this family dinner?

You bet! This dish is super flexible. I love the spinach because it wilts in so quickly, but feel free to add other quick-cooking veggies. Sliced mushrooms sautéed with the onions, a handful of frozen peas added in the last few minutes, or even some bell pepper chopped and cooked with the onions would all be yummy additions. It’s a great way to make it a heartier, more protein-packed meal!

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Nutritional Information

You know, while we’re all about deliciousness and making cooking joyful, it’s also helpful to have a general idea of what you’re eating. For one serving of this amazing pasta with chorizo and chicken, you’re looking at roughly 650 calories. That includes about 35g of fat (with 15g being saturated), 35g of protein, and 45g of carbohydrates. Keep in mind these numbers are estimates, of course! Things like the exact fat content in your chorizo or the specific brand of cream you use can change things up a bit. But it gives you a good idea of how satisfying and hearty this dish is!

Share Your Skillet Pasta Creations!

I absolutely LOVE hearing from you all! Have you tried making this amazing pasta with chorizo and chicken? Did it become a family favorite? Drop a comment below, let me know how it turned out, or even share a picture of your delicious creation on social media! Seeing your kitchen adventures makes my day. You can always share more with me on the blog’s page or reach out through my contact form. Happy cooking!

Skillet Pasta with Chorizo and Chicken

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A simple, flavorful skillet pasta dish featuring spicy chorizo, tender chicken, and a creamy cheese sauce, perfect for a weeknight family dinner.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 30 min
• Total Time: 45 min
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Skillet
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 8 ounces chorizo sausage, casing removed
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 8 ounces pasta (such as penne or fusilli)
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• Salt and black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned on all sides. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
2. Add chorizo to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Remove chorizo from skillet and set aside, leaving drippings in the pan.
3. Add onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
4. Stir in diced tomatoes, chicken broth, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Bring to a simmer.
5. Add cooked pasta to the skillet. Return chicken and chorizo to the skillet. Stir to combine.
6. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and the pasta is cooked through, about 10-12 minutes.
7. Stir in spinach until wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

• For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free fusilli pasta.
• Add a handful of your favorite greens like kale or arugula along with the spinach for extra nutrients.
• This recipe pairs well with a simple side salad.
• Consider this a great alternative to some meal planning services for a quick weeknight dinner.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 650
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 35g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 35g
• Cholesterol: 150mg