Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔ Easy One-Pan Dinner

Everything cooks together in a single tray, meaning less prep and less washing up.

✔ Perfect for Busy Weeknights

Just 5 minutes of prep and the oven does the rest.

✔ Full of Spanish Flavor

Spanish chorizo, smoked paprika, oregano, and rosemary create a rich Mediterranean-inspired meal.

✔ Budget-Friendly

Made with affordable ingredients that are easy to find in most supermarkets.

✔ Great for Meal Prep

Leftovers store well and taste even better the next day.

Author’s Notes

This recipe was inspired by the simple traybake dinners commonly found in Spanish homes where good ingredients do most of the work. Fresh chorizo and chicken are a classic combination throughout Spain, especially when paired with potatoes and plenty of olive oil.

One of the things I love most about this recipe is how the chorizo naturally seasons everything around it. As it roasts, the flavorful paprika-rich oils mingle with the chicken juices, creating a rich sauce without needing any additional ingredients.

It’s the type of recipe that’s ideal for weeknight cooking, yet impressive enough to serve when friends and family visit. 

Serving Suggestions: 

This dish is substantial enough to serve on its own, but here are a few great side dishes:

• Crusty bread to soak up the paprika-infused juices
• No-mayo Spanish cucumber salad
• 5 minute tomato salad
• Tomato, ham, and onion salad
• Roasted asparagus
• Mediterranean cucumber salad
• Grilled Mediterranean veggie skewers
• Steamed green beans

For a true Spanish dining experience in your own home, serve alongside olives, bread, and a glass of Spanish wine.

Make Ahead Instructions

This chicken chorizo traybake is ideal for meal prep. Assemble all ingredients in the baking tray up to 24 hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate. When ready to cook, remove from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before baking.

Storage

In the unlikely event of any leftovers, store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Alternatively, freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.

Reheating

Oven Method (Best)

Reheat at 180°C / 350°F for 15-20 minutes until piping hot.

Microwave Method

Heat in 1-minute intervals until thoroughly warmed through.

Recipe Variations

This easy chicken chorizo traybake recipe is great as it requires little effort to produce a full meal that’s sure to impress. It’s also incredibly versatile and can easily be scaled up to feed a crowd.

Here are a few easy ways to customize this chicken chorizo traybake: 

• Add bell peppers – Red and yellow peppers add sweetness and color.
• Add cherry tomatoes – They burst during cooking and create a delicious sauce.
• Make it spicier – Use spicy chorizo and add chili flakes.
• Mediterranean it up – Add pitted black or green olives.
• Extra Veggies – Bulk it up with your favorite choice of veggies. Try adding zucchini, carrots, courgette, artichokes, or sweet potato. All work great in the oven.

Ingredient Highlights

Chicken Thighs

Chicken thighs are one of the most forgiving cuts of chicken to cook. Their higher fat content keeps them juicy throughout roasting and helps them absorb the smoky flavors released by the chorizo. 

We used skinless chicken thighs for this recipe, but skin-on thighs also work well. For skin-on thighs, finish them off for 3-4 minutes under the broiler (grill) to get an extra crispy skin. 

More Chicken Recipes: 

• One-Pan Spicy Spanish Chicken Thighs with White Beans
• Spanish-Style Apricot Chicken with Jerez Sherry
• Spanish Vermouth Chicken
• Spanish Chicken in Creamy Mustard Sauce – Pollo a la Mostaza
• Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs

Spanish Smoked Paprika

Spanish smoked paprika is one of Spain’s most iconic spices. It provides a rich smoky flavor without adding heat and is essential in many traditional Spanish recipes. 

Discover more about the various types of Spanish paprika in our paprika guide.

Spanish Chorizo

Spanish chorizo is famous for its deep red color and distinctive paprika flavor. In this recipe, fresh cooking chorizo slowly releases flavorful oils that coat the chicken, potatoes, and onions as they roast.

Spanish Olive Oil

A good quality extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) helps carry the flavors throughout the tray and promotes beautiful browning during roasting. EVOO is also the healthiest of olive oils and is a heart-healthy fat.

Not all olive oils are created equal. Check out our complete guide to Spanish olive oil.

Ingredient Swaps

• Use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes.
• Swap red onions for shallots.
• Use skin-on chicken thighs for extra crispy results.
• Substitute rosemary with thyme.
• Use spicy chorizo for additional heat or add chili.

Cooking with Spanish Chorizo

Spanish chorizo is a fantastic ingredient to cook with, not only is it easy to prepare, but it brings with it layers of delicious flavors that add to any recipe. 

We use fresh (raw) chorizo for this recipe. You’ll find it in the refrigerated section of the supermarket. Fresh chorizo, called ‘chorizo fresca’ in Spanish, is made with fresh ground pork meat and spices with use of smoked paprika featuring as the prominent spice in any chorizo products. 

As it cooks, fresh chorizo releases lots of delicious paprika-infused oil into the recipe and provides a warm, lightly spiced, and smoky flavor.

Where to Buy Fresh Chorizo 

USA & Canada

In the USA and Canada, fresh chorizo is often labelled as “cooking chorizo” and is typically found in the refrigerated section of well-stocked supermarkets, Spanish food stores, or specialty grocers. Your local butcher may also stock fresh chorizo or be able to make it to order, and it’s widely available from online Spanish food retailers.

Fresh chorizo is the uncured variety designed for cooking, making it perfect for frying, grilling, roasting, or barbecuing. Because it is a raw meat product, it must be cooked thoroughly before eating and will always have a use-by or expiry date, unlike cured chorizo.

UK

Fresh Spanish chorizo was once widely available in many UK supermarkets. However, following changes to import regulations and stricter border controls on fresh meat products, authentic Spanish fresh chorizo has become a little harder to find.

Your best options are to ask your local butcher, visit specialist Spanish food shops, or order online from Spanish food importers such as Basco Fine Foods, which regularly stock fresh Spanish chorizo.

Europe

Fresh chorizo is readily available throughout much of Europe. Many supermarkets, specialty food stores, and Spanish delicatessens carry a selection of fresh, semi-cured, and cured chorizo.

Supermarket chains such as Lidl often stock fresh Spanish-style chorizo alongside other varieties, while online Spanish food retailers offer an excellent range of authentic products delivered across Europe.

Australia

Like the UK, Australia has strict import regulations on fresh meat, making authentic fresh Spanish chorizo difficult to source.

Fortunately, many Australian butchers produce excellent Spanish-style fresh chorizo sausages that work perfectly in most recipes. Major supermarkets, including Coles and Woolworths, also stock fresh chorizo-style sausages, and European supermarket chains such as ALDI often carry Spanish-inspired chorizo products as part of their specialty ranges.

What Wine Pairs Best with Spicy Spanish Chicken?

The smoky paprika and tomato-rich sauce pair wonderfully with medium-bodied Spanish reds.

Try serving this dish with:

• Rioja Crianza
• Garnacha (Grenache)
• Mencia

If you prefer white wine, an unoaked Verdejo offers enough freshness to balance the spices without overpowering the dish.

Ingredient Spotlight: Spanish Smoked Paprika (Pimentón de La Vera)

If there’s one ingredient that gives this recipe its unmistakably Spanish flavor, it’s Spanish smoked paprika, known in Spain as pimentón. While paprika is used throughout Europe and beyond, Spanish paprika is unique thanks to its rich smoky aroma and deep, complex flavor.

Discover more about the different types of paprika in our complete paprika guide:

Traditional Pimentón de La Vera comes from the La Vera region of Extremadura in western Spain. After harvesting, the peppers are slowly dried over smoldering oak wood fires for several days before being ground into a fine powder. This traditional smoking process creates the distinctive smoky flavor that has become a hallmark of Spanish cuisine.

There are three main varieties of Spanish paprika:

Pimentón Dulce (Sweet Paprika)

Sweet paprika offers a mild and fruity flavor without significant heat. It adds depth, color, and a subtle sweetness to dishes and is commonly used in recipes such as paella, lentil stews, seafood dishes, and roasted vegetables.

Pimentón Agridulce (Bittersweet Paprika)

This less common variety sits somewhere between sweet and hot paprika. It has a mild warmth with a slightly bittersweet finish and is often used in traditional regional recipes.

Pimentón Picante (Hot Paprika)

Made from spicier peppers, hot paprika delivers a smoky character with a noticeable kick of heat. It’s ideal for adding warmth to stews, bean dishes, marinades, and meat recipes like this one.

Spanish smoked paprika is the defining ingredient in many iconic dishes, including patatas bravas, pulpo a la gallega, patatas a la riojana, and countless stews and casseroles. In this recipe, it brings together the chicken, tomatoes, and white beans, creating the deep smoky flavor that makes every bite taste unmistakably Spanish.

For the best results, use authentic Pimentón de La Vera whenever possible. A small amount goes a long way, and it’s one of the easiest ways to bring the flavors of Spain into your kitchen.

Nutrition Facts Chart (per serving)

Assuming 6 servings.

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

**Nutritional information is provided as an estimate only and may vary depending on ingredient brands, portion sizes, and preparation methods.

Final Thoughts

This easy chicken chorizo tray bake is proof that a few simple ingredients can create extraordinary flavor. With juicy chicken thighs, smoky Spanish chorizo, crispy potatoes, and sweet roasted onions all cooked together in one tray, it’s a fuss-free dinner that delivers maximum reward for minimal effort.

Whether you’re searching for an easy weeknight meal, a comforting family dinner, or a Spanish-inspired recipe packed with authentic flavor, this chicken and chorizo tray bake is guaranteed to become a regular feature in your meal rotation.

FAQS

Can I make chicken chorizo traybake ahead of time?

Yes. You can prepare all the ingredients up to 24 hours in advance and store them covered in the refrigerator until ready to cook. Simply add everything to the tray, cover, and refrigerate. 

When ready to cook, allow the tray to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before baking.

You can also fully cook the traybake and reheat it later, making it an excellent meal-prep option for busy weeknights.

What type of chorizo is best for a traybake?

Fresh Spanish cooking chorizo (chorizo fresco) is the best option for this recipe. As it cooks, it releases flavorful paprika-infused oils that coat the chicken, potatoes, and vegetables, adding incredible depth of flavor.

If fresh Spanish chorizo is unavailable, Spanish-style cooking chorizo or raw chorizo sausages will also work well.

Can I use boneless chicken thighs?

Absolutely. Boneless chicken thighs are a great alternative and will cook slightly faster than bone-in thighs. 

Begin checking for doneness after around 45-50 minutes of cooking.

Because boneless thighs tend to cook more quickly, they can be a good option if you’re looking to reduce the overall cooking time. Just cut the potatoes up slightly smaller to ensure they cook through.

Can I freeze chicken and chorizo traybake?

Yes. Once completely cooled, transfer portions to airtight freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months.

To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm in a 180°C / 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.

How do I know when chicken thighs are cooked?

The safest and most reliable method is to use a meat thermometer.

Chicken is fully cooked when the thickest part reaches: 74°C / 165°F

The juices should run clear and the meat should no longer be pink near the bone. Using a thermometer removes any guesswork and helps ensure perfectly cooked, juicy chicken every time.

Can I use cured chorizo instead of fresh chorizo?

Yes, although the final result will be slightly different. Fresh chorizo releases flavorful oils during cooking that help season the entire tray. Cured chorizo will still add plenty of smoky flavor, but it won’t produce as much cooking fat or create quite the same richness.

If using cured chorizo, add it during the final 20-25 minutes of cooking to prevent it from becoming too dry.

What vegetables work best in a traybake?

Traybakes are incredibly versatile and work well with many vegetables. Some excellent additions include:

• Bell peppers
• Cherry tomatoes
• Zucchini (courgette)
• Sweet potatoes
• Carrots
• Parsnips
• Butternut squash
• Red onion
• Fennel

Choose vegetables with similar cooking times for the best results.

Can I make this recipe spicy?

Definitely. While traditional Spanish chorizo is usually mild and smoky rather than hot, you can easily increase the heat by:

• Using spicy chorizo
• Adding ½ teaspoon chili flakes
• Adding cayenne pepper
• Serving with a spicy Spanish brava sauce
• Using hot smoked paprika

Adjust the heat level to suit your taste.

Love this recipe?

Leave us a comment and tell us your favorite Spanish recipe! 

More Chicken Recipes You’ll Love!