In our Spicy Chorizo Pasta you'll find little bits of salty spice-filled Mexican chorizo in each creamy puddle-filled shellbow bite, tender seasoned chicken, and just enough creamy sauce to coat the noodles ever so slightly. This easy, unassuming pasta is a recipe you'll want in your back pocket when you're cravin a little cmfort, a little spice, and whole lotta pasta.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword chorizo pasta, chicken and chorizo pasta, spicy chorizo pasta
14ozchicken tenders, cut into bite-sized pieces (about 1-inch)
1tbspolive oil, divided
1tspsalt, divided
1tspsmoked paprika
1/2tspgarlic powder
1/8tspblack pepper
1/2tsponion powder
1/2tsporegano
14ozMexican chorizo
3largegarlic cloves
1/2cupdiced onion
1/2cupdry white wine
1cuplow-sodium chicken broth
1cupheavy cream
1lbshellbow pasta
1/2cupparmesan cheese
1tbsplemon juice
1/2cuppasta water or more
Instructions
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Season with a generous amount of salt It should be almost as salty as the sea. Add chicken to a large bowl. Drizzle with a teaspoon of olive oil. Sprinkle with 3/4 teaspoon salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and black pepper. Use hands to coat the chicken. Set aside.
Heat a large cast iron skillet (we use a 12") or a similar sized skillet with high sides to a medium-high heat. Add the chorizo. Spread it out in the bottom of the pan and let it brown. Try not to move it too much so the surface can brown. After the chorizo has cooked for a bit, use a wooden spoon to break up the meat. Continue to brown until the chorizo is cooked through, it should take about 8-10 minutes.
When the chorizo has been fully cooked, use a slotted spoon to transfer the chorizo to a colander so the fat can drain. If there is any more than a tablespoon of fat left in the skillet, remove it. Add the marinated chicken to the skillet. Let the chicken brown and then flip over. Continue to brown until cooked through. Remove from the pan and transfer to the same plate as the chorizo.
Turn the heat down to medium and add two teaspoons of olive oil to the pan. When the oil is hot, add the onion. Saute the onion until it starts to soften, about 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook another 1-2 minutes. Be sure the garlic doesn't burn.
Add in the white wine. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the bits at the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 1-2 minutes and then stir in the chicken stock, cream, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer until the sauce has thickened, about 5-6 minutes.
When the sauce has thickned, drop the pasta into the boiling water. Cook it about 1-2 minutes shy of aldente.
While the pasta cooks, add the chorizo and chicken back to pan with the sauce. Toss. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Use a sieve to transfer the pasta to the sauce and chorizo. If you don't have a sieve, remove 1 cup of the pasta water. Drain pasta in a colander and then transfer to the sauce. Add 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water, parmesan cheese and lemon juice to the pasta, sauce and meat. Gently stir everything together until the cheese has melted. Season to taste with salt and pepper.