RECIPE: Despaña Chorizo Rice

Despaña Traditional Chorizo Rice

Recipe by: Nicolas Aparicio

Get ready to elevate your dinner routine, backyard cookout or weekend lunch with our mouthwatering recipe for Chorizo Rice, also known as Arroz con Chorizo in Spain. This is a delicious and flavorful twist on a classic dish that combines the smoky and robust flavors of Despaña Traditional Chorizo with a variety of other premium Spanish ingredients…all of which are cooked delightfully into extra absorbent bomba rice.

But WAIT! First, we must clarify, this by no means is considered a chorizo paella. In fact, “paella” does not typically feature chorizo as one of its key ingredients…if you ask most Spaniards, they will tell you that is never allowed! So let’s dive into the details of this delightful Arroz con Chorizo recipe that will certainly become a favorite of yours.

What is Chorizo Rice?

Chorizo Rice, or Arroz con Chorizo, is a savory rice-based dish that highlights the unique and bold flavors of chorizo. Unlike traditional paella, which originated in Valencia, Spain, and features a medley of seafood, meat, or vegetables, our Chorizo Rice focuses on the star ingredient - Despaña Traditional Chorizo. This smoky and slightly spicy Spanish sausage adds depth and richness to the dish, creating a symphony of flavors that will leave you scooping for more.

What sets Chorizo Rice apart from Chorizo Paella?

While both Chorizo Rice and Chorizo Paella feature chorizo as a central component, it's important to note that Chorizo Paella is not the traditional preparation method for this iconic Spanish dish. Authentic paella recipes typically exclude chorizo and instead highlight ingredients such as seafood, chicken, rabbit, or vegetables and are cooked with saffron. Chorizo Rice, on the other hand, celebrates the robust flavors of chorizo by pairing it with rice and a selection of complementary ingredients. If your dish is not prepared like a traditional paella, it’s really considered an arroz “con cosas”.... rice with things. But don’t worry, they can be just as good (and sometimes better!!)

What Spanish ingredients to use:

To create this delicious Chorizo Rice, we've carefully selected a lineup of top-notch ingredients. Start with 150 grams of bomba rice, which will provide the perfect (and necessary) foundation for this rice dish. For an even more flavorful base, we recommend using 450 grams of El Paeller wood-fired meat broth, infusing the rice with deep, smoky flavors. This broth is made in Valencia using only the freshest local ingredients. The result is a truly authentic taste.

The star of the show is Despaña Traditional Chorizo. This Spanish sausage brings a delightful combination of smokiness and spiciness to the dish, elevating it to new heights of flavor. Complementing the chorizo, we add La Catedral Piquillo Peppers from the region of Navarra, known for their delicate sweetness, and Basque Guindilla Peppers, which provide a tangy and slightly spicy kick. Lastly, a touch of Ibsa Tomate Frito tomato sauce enhances the richness and adds a vibrant color to the dish.

This Chorizo rice is special, and we can’t wait for you to enjoy it with those you love. Explore our video on how it’s made below, and then start cooking!

Buen provecho!

See how it's Made

Ingredients

EQUIPMENT:

32-34cm El Cid Paella Pan

Directions

1. Turn your stove to low heat (or prepare a fire with low heat) and place the paella pan over it.

2. Drizzle some olive oil into the paella pan and add the chorizo sausages. Sear the chorizos until browned, then remove them from the pan and set them aside.

3. Sear the piquillo peppers in the same pan for a few minutes until they are slightly charred. Remove them from the pan and set them aside as well.

4. Add the tomato sauce to the paella pan and fry it for a minute, spreading it evenly across the pan.

5. Pour the El Paeller wood-fired meat broth into the pan and increase the heat to maximum. Allow the broth to come to a boil.

6. Once the broth is boiling, add the rice to the pan. Stir the rice gently to ensure it is evenly distributed.

7. Continue cooking the rice for approximately 7 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

8. After 7 minutes, spread the rice evenly across the paella pan and reduce the heat to medium.

9. Add the piquillo peppers, thick slices of the Despaña chorizo sausages, and Basque Guindilla Peppers (piparras) to the pan. You can get very creative with the design! Organize all of the ingredients in an appealing pattern on top of the cooking rice.

10. Cook the rice for an additional 8 minutes, reaching a total cooking time of 15 minutes. Do not manipulate any of the ingredients in the pan at this point.

11. Once the cooking time is complete, remove the paella pan from the heat and allow it to rest for a few minutes.

12. Drizzle a little bit of olive oil over the rice.

13. If desired, you can return the paella pan to high heat for about 30 seconds to create a delicious layer of socarrat (the slightly crispy bottom layer of rice).

14. Serve the Chorizo Rice hot and enjoy!

Buen provecho!

Enjoy your Arroz con Chorizo!

The ultimate showstopper rice dish to break out at your next gathering. Packed with rich smokey flavors, this chorizo rice is a classic combination of premium Spanish ingredients that will be loved by all those that try it!