Dinner · Spanish

Easy Spanish Chicken with Chorizo and Butter Beans

Sofia Romano

Recipe by Sofia Romano

Pasta & Mediterranean · August 15, 2026

This is a one pan Spanish dinner that does most of the work for you: chicken thighs roast right on top of a smoky, garlicky stew of chorizo, peppers, olives, and butter beans. Everything finishes in the oven, so the skin crisps up while the sauce underneath turns rich and savory. It is comfort food that feels a little special without any fuss.

Jump to recipe
Easy Spanish Chicken with Chorizo and Butter Beans

Why you'll love this

  • Everything cooks in one pan, so cleanup is minimal.
  • Smoky chorizo and paprika give it big flavor with almost no effort.
  • The butter beans and beans-and-sauce base make it a complete meal on its own.
  • Crispy chicken skin plus a rich, saucy bottom is the best of both worlds.

EveryDayMeal recipe

Easy Spanish Chicken with Chorizo and Butter Beans

Prep
15m
Cook
55m
Total
70m
Serves
4
Level
Easy

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 5 ounces chorizo, sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 teaspoon sweet smoked paprika
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 can (14 ounces) canned diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup green olives
  • 1 can (14 ounces) butter beans (lima beans), drained
  • 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1 handful fresh parsley, chopped
  • to taste salt and pepper

Equipment

  • Large ovenproof skillet
  • Cutting board
  • Chef's knife
  • Tongs

Instructions

  1. Heat your oven to 400 degrees F. Warm the olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat, then add the onion, chorizo, and both peppers with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring now and then, until the vegetables soften and the chorizo releases its deep orange oils into the pan.
  2. Stir in the smoked paprika and garlic and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, just until fragrant, so the paprika blooms and the raw edge cooks off the garlic.
  3. Add the diced tomatoes, olives, and butter beans, stir to combine, and season with salt and pepper. Nestle the chicken thighs skin side up into the sauce and season the tops well.
  4. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 40 minutes, until the chicken skin is crisp and browned and the meat is cooked through and tender (165 degrees F at the thickest part).
  5. Scatter the chopped parsley over the top and serve straight from the pan, spooning plenty of the beans and sauce alongside each thigh.

Tips from the kitchen

  • Pat the chicken skin dry before seasoning so it crisps up instead of steaming in the oven.
  • Use a skillet that goes straight from stovetop to oven to keep this a true one pan meal and save on cleanup.
  • If your sauce looks thin before baking, let it simmer a couple extra minutes on the stove to concentrate the flavor.

Estimated nutrition per serving: 620 cal · 42g protein · 24g carbs · 40g fat

Make it your own

  • Swap the butter beans for cannellini or chickpeas if that is what you have.
  • Use boneless thighs and cut the bake time to about 30 minutes for a quicker version.
  • Add a splash of dry sherry or white wine with the tomatoes for extra depth.

Storing & make-ahead

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350 degree F oven or in a covered skillet over medium heat until hot. The sauce also freezes well for up to 2 months.

Good to know

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
You can, but thighs stay juicier during the long bake. If using breasts, reduce the oven time to about 25 minutes and check they hit 165 degrees F.
What kind of chorizo should I buy?
Use firm, cured Spanish chorizo, not the soft fresh Mexican kind. It holds its shape and releases those flavorful oils as it cooks.
Can I make this ahead?
Yes. Build the sauce base a day ahead and refrigerate, then add the chicken and bake when ready to serve.
What should I serve with it?
Crusty bread to soak up the sauce is perfect, or serve over rice or with a simple green salad.

Related recipes