What is the Best Chicken to Use?
We used chicken pieces that have been chopped up and still contain some bones, however, you can always substitute and use boneless chicken thighs. Thighs are better than chicken breasts as they have a little more fat in them which breaks down and remain juicier when they are stewed or used in a casserole (see more chicken thigh recipes).
What is the Best Spanish Chorizo to use for this recipe?
For this chicken and chorizo recipe, the best chorizo to use is fresh chorizo.
Fresh chorizo meat will be able to soak up the flavors in the stew better. Fresh chorizo will also release a lot of its spicy oil whilst it’s being fried.
You can find fresh chorizo sausage in most supermarkets or butchers. If you aren’t sure what type of chorizo you’re buying, have a chat with your butcher and they can advise you.
Types of Chorizo
There are actually 7 different types of chorizo in Spain all hailing from different regions around the country. Spanish chorizo is made from pork meat and all types of chorizo get their flavor and bright red coloring from pimentón (smoked paprika), which is added during the stuffing process.
There are 3 main differences between the types of Spanish chorizo you can buy.
Spanish soft chorizo (chorizo fresco):
This fresh, raw sausage is made from pork meat, pork fat, paprika, crushed red pepper, and garlic and must be cooked before eating.
Semi-cured Spanish chorizo (semicurado):
This is a fresh sausage that has been fermented and in some cases, the meat is smoked, but not dried out completely. The fermentation process adds acidity and prolongs the shelf life of the chorizo.
Cured Spanish chorizo (curado):
This type of chorizo is what is most commonly served as thinly sliced pieces, usually as a tapas. The meat is cured, or fermented and dried until hard and has a long shelf life.
Does Chorizo have pork?
Yes, all types of Spanish chorizo contain pork meat.
Can this stew be made Vegetarian or Vegan?
While this recipe is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians, you can recreate it by omitting the meat ingredients and using beans, legumes, or lentils.
Vegan and Vegetarian options
Of course, this recipe is a meaty winter warming stew that will satisfy the carnivores in the family. But, rest assured, it can easily be made as a delicious vegetarian option with little fuss.
For a tasty veggie feast, swap out the chicken, chorizo, and stock, and add some tinned butterbeans and black beans. Add some strips of pan-fried peppers and cook with the onions. Finally, use veggie stock and add a couple of tablespoons of smoked paprika to reintroduce the rich smoky flavor.
We also have plenty of vegan recipes you could follow if you want a warming meal, including: smoky butter bean stew, white bean stew, Mediterranean lentil and spinach stew, and chickpea stew.
Chicken and chorizo stew, bake, or casserole?
This recipe is to make a quick and easy stew, but it can just as easily be made into a hearty bake or casserole. If you’re making a casserole, just allow more time for the cooking process. To make this recipe as a chicken and chorizo casserole, it’ll take around an hour and a half at around 300-350°F (150-175°C).
How long does it take to make chicken and chorizo stew?
- Preparation time:5 minutes
- Cook time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 35 minutes
This recipe is a perfect one-pot recipe that requires very little prep work and can be easily cooked on the stove top or hob.
If you’re looking for a way to casserole this recipe, use an oven temperature of between 300-350°F (150-175°C) and it should take around 1-1.5 hours in a fan-forced oven.
In a slow cooker, allow around 6-8 hours at 200°F (100°C).
What to serve with chicken and chorizo stew?
Some fresh bread is always great with chicken and chorizo stew to help mop up the delicious sauce.
This recipe will easily serve 4-6 people with good portion size so doesn’t require any side dishes.
What wine goes with Chicken and chorizo stew?
A good Spanish red wine works perfectly, especially on a chilly winter’s evening. We always go for a Tempranillo or Ganacha Tinta wine from Spain with this dish. These grape varieties offer a rich and spiced flavor that works perfectly with chicken and chorizo stews and casseroles.
How many calories are in chicken and chorizo stew?
- This recipe has 475 calories per serving (serving size 200 grams)
- This recipe serves 6 people
