When the weather gets warm dinners take on a more summertime flavor! Obviously we’re grilling out and enjoying some BBQ classics. But I’m also adding more mexican and spanish meals to our weekly menus! I use more peppers, avocado, corn, beans, and here you’ll find a protein packed chicken and chorizo dinner! It’s actually pretty easy to keep it healthy while still having a vast selection of foods on the plate! And the spicy aroma compliments that summertime outdoor fun! This week the temperatures are rising, so here’s a hot meal to help kick-off the soon to arrive summer season!
I used a whole chicken split in half and then seasoned it with a combination of spices that give it a Spanish/Mexican flavor: chile powder, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, paprika, black pepper, cayenne pepper. I then used a Spanish-style Chorizo from a local farm, cut into pieces.
Chorizo ups the protein in this meal, with 3.5-ounce serving providing 24.1 grams of protein! It does have a bit extra fat content so it’s not something to eat everyday, but it’s a great sausage made with garlic and spices. There is a difference between Mexican and Spanish Chorizo (and I’ve seen Columbian-style Chorizo as well). The most notable difference is that usually Spanish Chorizo is already cooked while Mexican is not. The Chorizo I used is fully cooked and you can see the ingredients list; always keep it simple!
I only used the fully-cooked chorizo because it was the only available option when I was at the farmer’s market. I have used uncooked Mexican Chorizo with this and it is great tasting either way! With the seasoned chicken and the spices from the chorizo, the flavors bake nicely together! You can see below, place chicken and chorizo together and bake in oven at 425F for about 30 minutes, check and flip chicken if you prefer, then bake for another 30 minutes.
You can add cut up potatoes and onions and have them bake together along with the chicken and chorizo. I wanted the meal to have a healthier Spanish/Mexican completeness to it, so I paired it with quinoa & peppers and black beans. Plant-based protein packed nutrient dense quinoa! (I love the graphic below! Found on pinterest)
When you’re cooking quinoa, always look at the ingredients to make sure it’s just quinoa!
Unlike some other options you might see at the grocery, which is why reading the ingredient list is important. Look at this box of quinoa. Looks healthy right?
Even the explanation is a good seller!
However, the ingredient list is NOT simple and there are so many things added to this that just don’t need to be. You already have a great dish with the spicy chicken and chorizo. Adding true, simple quinoa to those flavors makes for a healthy taste that is real! And really nutritious!
So as the quinoa was cooking, I cut up some peppers and onions; added nutrient boost!
Placed in skillet to saute with olive oil, you can add garlic if you like. Sauteed until soft, then added to fluffy quinoa. With black beans an option on the side, nutrient dense as well, it completes the meal! Beans however are not considered paleo if you’re staying on a strict paleo diet.
Place everything onto plate and enjoy the flavors of a warm weather summertime cuisine!
This meal pairs very well with warm sunshine, a nice breeze, relaxation and a cold Corona Light! And your best friend too! Keeping yourself nutritiously well-fed and happily well-defined!
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 1 - 1.5 hours |
| Servings |
people
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- 1 whole chicken split
- 4 chorizo links Spanish-Style Chorizo cut in slices or Mexican-Style broken up into chunks
- 1 tbsp chile powder
- 1 tbsp oregano
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp cayenne peppper
Ingredients
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- Preheat oven to 425F. Mix chile powder, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, paprika, black pepper, cayenne pepper into a shallow bowl or bag. Season chicken by rubbing all over in bowl or in zip-lock bag and shake.
- Place chicken on baking sheet
- Cut chorizo or break into pieces depending on type you're using. Spread out beside and on top of chicken
- Place in oven, bake for 30 minutes. Check and flip if prefer, then continue to bake for another 30 - 40 minutes.
- Pair with favorite side dish options and enjoy!