Nigella Chicken And Chorizo Tray Bake Recipe [GUIDE]

Ah, Nigella Lawson. If you’ve ever flipped through one of her cookbooks or watched her whip up something in the kitchen on TV, you probably know she’s got this magical way of making cooking feel like an act of indulgence, not just nourishment. There’s always this luxurious but effortless vibe to her dishes. Nigella’s Chicken and Chorizo Tray Bake is a prime example of this.

It’s a dish that feels comforting but still vibrant-juicy, tender chicken paired with spicy chorizo and roasted vegetables. Everything comes together in a single tray and let me tell you, the smell that fills your kitchen while it bakes is something else. Imagine crispy chicken skin, the rich, smokey chorizo blending with the sweet roasted peppers and a little heat from the paprika. It’s everything you want in a weeknight meal but also fancy enough for when you’re hosting friends (or treating yourself).

The beauty of a tray bake like this is its simplicity. You throw it all together, pop it in the oven and you’re free to relax while it does its thing. It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel like you’re doing something impressive without actually having to slave away for hours. Nigella’s all about making food feel accessible and a little bit glamorous which this dish totally achieves.

Nigella Chicken And Chorizo Tray Bake Recipe

Ingredients Needed

You won’t need any obscure ingredients or things that you can’t pronounce in this recipe. Instead, it’s all about bold flavors coming together in a beautiful, easy harmony.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on): These are the stars of the show. Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are just the best for tray bakes because the skin crisps up perfectly and the meat stays juicy and tender.
• Chorizo: Ah, the chorizo. It adds that lovely spicy, smokey flavor that just transforms everything. You’ll want to get a good-quality one that’s a little firm, not the soft, spreadable kind.
• Red peppers: These bring sweetness and a bit of color to the mix. When they roast, they get all tender and caramelized which balances the richness of the chicken and chorizo.
• Red onion: It adds a subtle sweetness and some bite. You could use yellow or white onion too but I like the depth of flavor that red onion gives.
• Garlic: This is an obvious one. Garlic’s pungent aroma infuses everything while roasting and gives the dish that irresistible fragrance.
• Olive oil: For drizzling, of course. It helps everything roast evenly and crisps up the chicken skin.
• Paprika: This is what gives it that extra punch of smokiness. Don’t skip it.
• Salt and pepper: Just the essentials to season everything to perfection.
• Lemon: For a final zest and freshness after it’s all roasted. trust me, it makes a difference.

Equipment Needed

You don’t need a fancy kitchen setup for this but there are a couple of must-haves to make the process easy:

• Roasting tray: A big, heavy one that can fit the chicken, chorizo and veggies. Make sure it’s large enough to allow everything to spread out so the chicken crisps up properly.
• Sharp knife: For chopping the veggies and cutting the chorizo into bite-sized pieces.
• Cutting board: To protect your countertops and give you some space to work your magic.
• Tongs or spatula: To toss everything around halfway through cooking, ensuring it all gets evenly roasted.
• Oven: You don’t need a high-tech oven, just something that can get to around 200°C (or 400°F).

Instructions To Make Nigella Lawson’s Chicken And Chorizo Tray Bake

Okay, now we get to the fun part: cooking. It’s really so simple and that’s what makes it such a win. Here’s how to pull it off:

1. Preheat the oven: First thing’s first. get your oven to 200°C (or 400°F). You want it hot and ready to roast everything to crispy perfection.
2. Prepare your chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. this will help the skin get crispy. Season generously with salt, pepper and paprika. You can even rub a little olive oil on the skin to make sure it crisps up beautifully.
3. Slice the chorizo and vegetables: Cut the chorizo into chunks and slice the red peppers and onion into large wedges. Crush the garlic cloves (don’t bother peeling them). Everything should be about the same size to ensure even roasting.
4. Assemble the tray bake: Lay the chicken thighs skin-side up on the roasting tray, then scatter the chorizo, red peppers, onion and garlic around it. Drizzle everything with olive oil, sprinkle more paprika if you’re feeling bold and give everything a little toss to make sure it’s coated.
5. Roast: Now, pop it into the oven and roast for about 35-40 minutes. Halfway through, give everything a little toss to make sure it’s cooking evenly. The chicken should be golden and crispy, the chorizo will start to release its oil and become crisp around the edges and the peppers will soften and caramelize.
6. Serve: Once it’s done, pull it out of the oven. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Squeeze a bit of lemon juice over everything. trust me, the freshness of the lemon brightens up all those rich, smoky flavors.

What I Learnt

You might think that a tray bake would be a pretty one-dimensional dish but this one really packs a punch. I learned that the simple act of roasting everything together can bring out flavors in ways I didn’t expect. The chorizo releases this smoky oil that coats the vegetables and the chicken skin crisps up beautifully, holding onto all that flavor.

Another thing I learned is that there’s no need to complicate a good meal. You don’t have to get fancy or overthink the technique. Sometimes, the magic happens when you let the ingredients speak for themselves. This dish is proof that cooking doesn’t have to be intimidating to be absolutely delicious.

Also, the lemon squeeze at the end? It’s genius. It’s like the final touch that brightens up everything. a little bit of acidity to balance the richness of the chicken and chorizo. I always forget to add citrus at the end but Nigella’s right. it makes all the difference.

FAQs

Can I Use Other Types Of Sausages Instead Of Chorizo For This Tray Bake?

You absolutely can! While chorizo adds a distinct smoky and spicy flavor, you could swap it for other types of sausages, like Italian sausage or even a milder sausage, depending on your preference. Just keep in mind, the dish may lose a bit of the signature richness chorizo brings.

Can I Prepare Nigella’s Chicken And Chorizo Tray Bake Ahead Of Time?

Yes! If you’re looking to prep ahead, you can assemble everything the night before and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, just pop it in the oven. You might need to add an extra 5-10 minutes to the cooking time if it’s chilled from the fridge.

What Should I Serve With This Tray Bake For A Complete Meal?

Great question! This dish is pretty hearty on its own, but if you’re looking for sides, a simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or some roasted vegetables would balance things out perfectly. Some crusty bread to mop up the delicious juices from the tray wouldn’t hurt either!