Description
Jamie Oliver’s Chicken and Chorizo Pasta Bake is a flavorful casserole-style dish that combines the rich, smoky flavors of chorizo with tender chicken and pasta. The ingredients are cooked in a tomato-based sauce, then topped with cheese and baked until golden and bubbly. This dish is a great option for a filling and delicious dinner, with the added bonus of being easy to prepare ahead of time.
Ingredients
Scale
- 300g (10.5 oz) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 200g (7 oz) chorizo, sliced
- 2 chicken breasts, diced
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 can (400g/14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (400g/14 oz) tomato passata
- 100ml (3.5 fl oz) chicken stock
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 150g (5.3 oz) grated mozzarella or cheddar cheese
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
- Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken and Chorizo
- Heat the Oil: In a large frying pan or skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Cook the Chorizo: Add the sliced chorizo to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes until it releases its oils and becomes slightly crispy. Remove the chorizo from the pan and set aside, leaving the oil in the pan.
- Brown the Chicken: In the same pan, add the diced chicken and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside with the chorizo.
Step 3: Prepare the Sauce
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pan, add the chopped onion, garlic, and red bell pepper. Cook for 5 minutes until softened.
- Add the Tomatoes: Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato passata, and chicken stock. Add the smoked paprika and season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Combine with Chicken and Chorizo: Return the cooked chicken and chorizo to the pan, stirring to combine. Let the mixture simmer for another 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
Step 4: Assemble the Pasta Bake
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Mix with Pasta: In a large mixing bowl or directly in the baking dish, combine the cooked pasta with the chicken and chorizo sauce, stirring until the pasta is evenly coated.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Transfer the pasta mixture to a baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the grated mozzarella or cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the pasta.
Step 5: Bake the Pasta
- Bake Until Golden: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown on top.
- Cool Slightly: Allow the pasta bake to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Step 6: Serve
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh basil leaves, if using, and serve the pasta bake hot.