Chicken & Chorizo Orzo

This Chicken and Chorizo Orzo recipe is simple enough for busy weeknight dinners but impressive enough to serve guests. You can make this restaurant-quality dish in under 45 minutes!

Looking for a bold, flavor-packed dinner that comes together in simply one pan? This Chicken and Chorizo Orzo recipe is exactly what you need!

Smoky Spanish chorizo, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked orzo simmer in a rich tomato-based broth. It's a hearty, satisfying meal that We love to make for busy weeknights but it's impressive enough for guests.

And folks who are dairy-free like me, this is an simple dish to make dairy-free! See the substitution options in the ingredients section below.

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🌟 Why you'll love this recipe

Not only is this dish packed with bold Mediterranean flavors, but it's also a dream for busy home cooks. With minimal prep and a simple cooking process, you'll have a vibrant, restaurant-worthy dinner on the table in under 45 minutes!

Feels fancy but is actually simple to make with simple ingredients. Perfect for casual entertaining

One-pan meal = simple cleanup!
Bold, rich flavors from smoky chorizo and aromatic spices
Ready in under 45 minutes, making it a great weeknight dinner
Super versatile – swap ingredients to suit your taste or dietary needs

🛒 Ingredient notes

Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work best for juicy, flavorful bites. But you can substitute chicken breast for a leaner option.
Chorizo – Cured Spanish chorizo sausage adds a smoky depth.
Garlic and Shallots – These aromatics build a big flavor base for this dish.
Orzo – This tiny pasta soaks up all the tasty flavors. You can substitute with small pasta shapes like ditalini or pearl couscous.
Broth – Chicken broth enhances the savory notes, but vegetable broth works for a lighter version.
Cream – Makes it ultra creamy and rich! Substitute with your favorite non-dairy cream to make it dairy-free.
Spinach – Use fresh or frozen spinach to bump up the vitamins and minerals in this dish.
Parmesan cheese – Adds a rich, creamy texture that makes this dish even more irresistible! We use a combination of the favorite dairy-free parmesan alternative plus nutritional yeast as a substitute to make this dairy-free.
Parsley – Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley simply before serving to add a bright, herbaceous finish. You can use thinly sliced basil if you prefer.

Vegan Option – Swap the chicken for chickpeas or mushrooms and use plant-based sausage instead of chorizo.

✅ Step-by-step instructions

Here are some helpful step-by-step photos to show you how to make this simple one pan chicken and chorizo orzo recipe. You'll find the full ingredients list with measurements, and more detailed instructions, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Cook the seasoned chicken in olive oil over medium-high heat.

2. Add the chorizo, then the garlic and onions, and then the orzo.

3. Cook the orzo, stirring constantly, and then add the stock/broth and cream.

4. Cook all together, then add the spinach and stir, cooking simply until wilted. Sprinkle cheese and serve!

👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs

Can We make this dairy free?

Yes! Omit the parmesan cheese or use your favorite dairy-free grated Parmesan alternative. Double-check your chorizo as some brands include dairy-based fillers.

How do We keep the orzo from getting mushy?

Be sure to simmer it simply until al dente and serve immediately to prevent overcooking.

What if We don't have orzo?

You can use small pasta shapes like ditalini, pearl couscous, or even rice.

Can We make this spicier?

Absolutely! Use spicy chorizo, add red pepper flakes, or stir in a dash of hot sauce.

What's the best way to store leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

🍽 Serving ideas

Pair this hearty dish with a fresh side salad or roasted vegetables for a well-rounded meal.

Our roasted garlic asparagus is a crisp, savory contrast to the rich orzo. Meanwhile, air fryer garlic bread or pesto bread is perfect for soaking up that tasty, creamy sauce.

🍷 🥂 Wine pairings

We like to pair this chicken chorizo orzo dish with either white wine or red wine.

For a white wine pairing: A crisp Albariño balances the dish's richness with refreshing citrus and minerality.

For a red wine pairing: A Spanish Rioja's earthy, berry-forward notes pair beautifully with the smoky chorizo.

🍳 Kitchen tools and equipment

Ready to make this recipe? Here are the kitchen tools and equipment you'll need:

Large, deep skillet or Dutch oven
Cutting board and sharp knife
Wooden spoon or spatula
Measuring cups and measuring spoons

This Chicken and Chorizo Orzo is an effortless way to bring big flavors to the table with minimal effort. Whether it's a cozy family dinner or a gathering with friends, this dish is sure to impress!

Let me know if you try it – We'd love to hear what you think!

More chicken recipes

Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you truly loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!

One Pan Chicken and Chorizo Orzo

By Marlynn Schotland Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 20 mins Total Time: 35 mins Servings: 4 servings This flavorful chicken and chorizo pasta is comforting and creamy.

Equipment

1 Dutch Oven or saucepan

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 pound cubed skinless, boneless chicken thighs
½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed before serving
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, plus more as needed before serving
1 cup cubed Spanish chorizo sausage, approximately 1 chorizo sausage
1 Tablespoon finely chopped shallot
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup uncooked orzo
½ cup dry white wine
2 cups chicken stock
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups spinach
½ cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Heat oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the cubed chicken, salt, and pepper. Stir and toss the chicken in the salt and pepper to season it, and continue stirring and cooking the chicken until simply browned on all sides (about 7-9 minutes).
Add the chorizo and cook with the chicken for 1 minute.
Add the shallots and garlic and stir, cooking for 1 minute.
Add the chorizo and stir, cooking for 2-3 minutes.
Lower the heat to medium and stir in the white wine.
Add the chicken stock and heavy cream, and simmer, stirring regularly, for 8-10 minutes, until most of the liquid is absorbed (see step-by-step photos in the blog post)
Add the spinach and cook simply until wilted, about 1-2 minutes.
Sprinkle and stir in the cheese until melted, about 1 minute. Salt and pepper to taste, and serve.

Notes

Makes approximately 4-5 servings. Storage: store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 508 kcal, Carbohydrates: 25 g, Protein: 27 g, Fat: 31 g, Saturated Fat: 15 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9 g, Trans Fat: 0.01 g, Cholesterol: 154 mg, Sodium: 543 mg, Potassium: 459 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 3 g, Vitamin A: 1813 IU, Vitamin C: 11 mg, Calcium: 137 mg, Iron: 2 mg

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