Smoky Chicken and Chorizo Tray Bake

Smoky Chicken and Chorizo Tray Bake is a dish that earns its place in your weekly rotation from the very first bite. The rich, smoky oils from the chorizo mingle with garlic, paprika and tender vegetables, coating every element in deep, comforting flavour. This is one of those recipes that’s as easy to prepare as it is satisfying to eat. No fancy steps, no separate pans, just everything roasted in one tin to golden perfection. 

The chorizo does most of the heavy lifting, so the prep stays short and the washing up minimal. This makes Smoky Chicken and Chorizo Tray Bake ideal for weeknights when you want maximum reward with minimal effort. Whether you’re feeding the family or planning ahead for leftovers, it’s a solid, no-fuss crowd-pleaser.

Table of Contents

• Ingredient Breakdown
• Choosing the Right Chicken 
• Perfecting the Roast: Texture and Timing Tips
• Serving Suggestions
• Meal Prep Tips
• Spicing It Your Way: Tweaks and Variations
• More Tray Bake Recipes

Ingredient Breakdown

• Chicken thighs: Succulent and full of flavour, they hold up well to roasting without drying out.
• Chorizo: Adds depth and smoky spice as it crisps and renders down into the dish.
• Baby potatoes: Keep their shape beautifully while soaking up all the seasoned oils.
• Bell peppers: Sweet and juicy, they char slightly and add vibrant colour.
• Red onion: Softens and caramelises, lending subtle sweetness throughout.
• Smoked paprika: Brings a bold, smoky warmth that ties the whole dish together.
• Garlic granules/powder: Quick, convenient flavour without peeling or chopping.
• Fine sea salt: Essential for seasoning and drawing out moisture from the vegetables.
• Extra-virgin olive oil: Helps everything crisp without needing too much fat.

Choosing the Right Chicken

When making Smoky Chicken and Chorizo Tray Bake, the type of chicken you use matters more than you might expect. Chicken thighs are ideal here. They’re juicy, full of flavour and far more forgiving than chicken breasts. They stay tender even after a long roast, and their richness stands up to the robust spices and chorizo oil. Go for bone-in, skin-on thighs if you like extra crisp and deeper flavour, but boneless works beautifully too, especially when time is tight. 

Always try to use free-range or organic chicken if possible, as the texture and flavour are noticeably better. This dish doesn’t hide its ingredients. You want meat that holds its own alongside smoked paprika, garlic and chorizo. A good tray bake is only as good as what goes in it. Start with quality, and it shows.

Perfecting the Roast: Texture and Timing Tips

To get the most from your Smoky Chicken and Chorizo Tray Bake, it’s worth focusing on a few roasting tips. 

• First, don’t overcrowd the pan. A single layer ensures the vegetables roast rather than steam. This encourages browning, which builds flavour. 
• Starting the vegetables on their own gives them time to soften and catch some colour before the chicken goes in. 
• Tossing everything in the chorizo oil midway through helps them absorb even more richness. 
• Make sure your oven is properly preheated too. Roasting at 220℃ gives the dish its crisp edges and golden top. 
• Finally, keep an eye on the chicken. Bone-in thighs will take longer than fillets, so adjust your cooking time accordingly. A golden brown finish on the chicken is a good sign that everything is cooked to perfection underneath.

Serving Suggestions

The beauty of Smoky Chicken and Chorizo Tray Bake is that it’s nearly a complete meal in itself. You’ve got protein, carbs and plenty of roasted veg. Still, a few thoughtful additions can round things out. A crisp green salad with a citrus dressing offers contrast and freshness. Try rocket or watercress for a peppery bite. 

For something heartier, warm flatbreads or crusty sourdough are great for mopping up the pan juices. If you’re entertaining, serve it with a simple garlic aioli or smoky harissa yoghurt for dipping. Want to bulk it up? Stir through cooked lentils or butter beans in the last ten minutes of roasting. Whatever you choose, keep it simple. Let the bold flavours of the tray bake shine and complement them rather than compete.

Meal Prep Tips

Tray bakes are ideal for batch cooking, and this recipe is no exception. Smoky Chicken and Chorizo Tray Bake keeps well in the fridge for several days and reheats beautifully. The flavours deepen overnight, making leftovers arguably even better. Portion everything into airtight containers, including the vegetables and pan juices. Store in the fridge for up to four days. 

For reheating, use the oven where possible to help the chicken skin re-crisp slightly. If you’re in a rush, the microwave works too. Just add a splash of water to keep things moist. You can also shred the chicken and toss it through cooked rice or salad greens for something lighter. It’s endlessly versatile and ideal for days when you want flavour without effort. One bake, many meals.

Spicing It Your Way: Tweaks and Variations

Smoky Chicken and Chorizo Tray Bake is easy to customise. The base recipe is bold yet flexible, so feel free to adapt it. 

• If you like heat, add a pinch of chilli flakes or a finely sliced fresh red chilli to the vegetables. 
• Fancy a sweeter note? Use sweet smoked paprika or toss in a few halved cherry tomatoes during the final 15 minutes of cooking. 
• Don’t eat pork? Try swapping chorizo for a smoked turkey sausage or even vegan chorizo. Just check the seasoning levels, as some vegan alternatives can be milder. 
• For a Mediterranean twist, add olives and fresh thyme. You can also swap potatoes for sweet potatoes or squash if you prefer. 

The key is to balance richness with freshness and let those smoky flavours remain centre stage.

More Tray Bake Recipes

There’s something so satisfying about making a meal in just one tray (not to mention it saves on the washing up!). So if you enjoyed this Smoky Chicken and Chorizo Tray Bake, I have some more recipes just like it for you to try:

• Harissa Veggie Tray Bake: Bold flavours and lots of veggies. Loaded with sweet potatoes, chickpeas, peppers, tenderstem broccoli and onions, tossed in rose harissa, lemon zest and garlic.
• Harissa Chicken Tray Bake: Tender chicken marinated in spicy harissa atop a bed of roasted veg. Perfect for a quick midweek meal that packs a punch every time.
• Peri Peri Salmon Tray Bake: Succulent salmon. Golden brown, crispy potatoes. Slightly charred tenderstem broccoli. Perfectly seasoned with a tasty 5-ingredient homemade peri peri spice mix.

If you’d like to see how I make all these recipes and more, head on over to my Instagram!