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Pollo en Salsa: Chicken Thighs in a savory Chorizo and Tomato Sauce Recipe

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4.5 from 134 reviews

Pollo en Salsa is a flavorful Spanish-inspired dish featuring tender boneless, skinless chicken thighs simmered in a rich tomato sauce with savory Spanish chorizo, aromatic spices, and garlic. This comforting one-pan meal combines the smokiness of paprika with oregano and cumin, creating a delicious sauce that elevates the juicy chicken pieces, perfect served over white rice for a satisfying dinner.

Ingredients

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Chicken

  • 2 pounds Chicken Thighs, boneless and skinless (8 pieces)
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 3 tablespoons Olive Oil

Sauce

  • 1 Medium Onion, finely diced
  • 3-4 Garlic Cloves, minced
  • 1 1/2 ounces Spanish Chorizo, casing removed and diced into small pieces
  • 1/2 teaspoon Paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dried Oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon Cumin
  • 16 ounces Tomato Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Water

Garnish

  • Chopped Parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare and Season Chicken: Remove any fat from the boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Season both sides evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance the flavor.
  2. Heat Oil and Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken thighs and cook for 5 minutes on one side.
  3. Flip and Continue Cooking Chicken: Flip the chicken using a spatula and cook for another 5 minutes. Some chicken bits may stick to the pan; these bits will add flavor to the sauce.
  4. Remove Chicken from Skillet: Take the skillet off the heat, remove the chicken thighs, and place them on a plate. Keep the chicken warm by loosely covering with foil or placing in a warm area.
  5. Sauté Onions: Without washing the skillet, return it to medium heat, add the finely diced onions, and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently until softened.
  6. Add Garlic, Chorizo, and Spices: Add minced garlic, diced chorizo, paprika, oregano, and cumin to the skillet. Cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute while stirring to combine flavors.
  7. Incorporate Tomato Sauce and Water: Pour in the tomato sauce and water while stirring, gently scraping the browned bits from the bottom of the pan to integrate the deep flavors.
  8. Return Chicken to Skillet: Add the chicken thighs back into the skillet along with any juices collected on the plate to enrich the sauce.
  9. Simmer the Sauce and Chicken: Once the sauce begins to simmer, reduce heat to medium-low and cover. Let it simmer gently for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally and turning the chicken for even cooking.
  10. Check Doneness: Ensure the internal temperature of the largest chicken piece reaches at least 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
  11. Adjust Seasoning and Garnish: Taste the sauce and add salt if needed. Garnish with chopped parsley to add freshness and color.
  12. Serve: Serve the Pollo en Salsa hot, ideally over white rice to soak up the delicious sauce.

Notes

  • Keep the chicken warm after initial cooking to prevent cooling while preparing the sauce.
  • Do not wash the skillet before cooking the sauce; the browned bits add rich flavor.
  • Use a meat thermometer if unsure about chicken doneness for food safety.
  • Serve with white rice or crusty bread to enjoy the flavorful sauce fully.