My Embarrassing Kitchen Discovery
Okay, so here’s the thing. Last Tuesday, I was standing in my kitchen at 7 PM (again), staring into my fridge like it would magically produce dinner ideas. You know that feeling, right?
I had exactly three things: leftover rice, frozen shrimp, and this random chorizo I impulse-purchased. My sister Emma always says I’m terrible at meal planning, but that night something clicked. What if I just threw everything together for some shrimp and chorizo with rice?
Spoiler alert: It was incredible. This shrimp and chorizo with rice combo has now become my go-to when I need to look like I have my life together. It’s fancy enough for unexpected guests, but simple enough that I can make it while binge-watching reality TV.
Table of Contents
Why Does Chorizo Go So Well with Everything?
The Science Behind the Magic
Look, I’m not a food scientist, but there’s something magical about shrimp and chorizo with rice. The smoky, slightly spicy chorizo just works with everything.
Does chorizo go with rice? Absolutely! The oils from the chorizo infuse the rice with incredible depth. And does chorizo go with seafood? Oh my god, yes. Spanish cuisine has been pairing these for centuries – it’s not just me being weird.
| Chorizo Type | Best Rice Pairing | Flavor Profile |
| Spanish (Dry) | Bomba or Arborio | Smoky, intense |
| Mexican (Fresh) | Long-grain white | Spicy, herbal |
| Portuguese | Jasmine | Sweet, mild |
Best Shrimp and Chorizo With Rice – 5 Amazing Tips!
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
A flavorful one-pan Spanish-inspired shrimp and chorizo with rice dish. Easy weeknight dinner with restaurant-quality flavors.
Ingredients
The Must-Haves
For the Rice Base:
2 cups long-grain white rice
4 cups chicken stock
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
The Star Players:
1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 oz Spanish chorizo, sliced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
1 cup frozen peas
The Magic Makers:
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon saffron threads
2 bay leaves
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup fresh parsley
Lemon wedges
Optional Stuff That Makes It Better
You don’t need these, but they take shrimp and chorizo with rice from good to amazing:
A splash of dry sherry
Roasted red peppers
Red pepper flakes for heat
Instructions
The Prep Game
- Pat shrimp dry, season with salt and pepper
- Slice chorizo into 1/4 inch rounds
- Dice onions, peppers, and garlic
- Warm your stock in a separate pot
The Actual Cooking Part
Step 1: Add chorizo slices to dry pan. Cook 4-5 minutes until crispy. Don’t drain that gorgeous oil!
Step 2: Add onions to chorizo oil, cook 5 minutes until soft. Add garlic and bell pepper, cook 2-3 minutes more.
Step 3: Add rice, stir to coat with oil for 2 minutes. This prevents mushy rice.
Step 4: Pour in warm stock, tomatoes, saffron, paprika, and bay leaves. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 18 minutes without stirring.
Step 5: In the last 5 minutes, nestle shrimp into the rice. They’ll cook perfectly in the residual heat.
Step 6: Remove from heat, let rest 10 minutes covered. This is crucial for perfect shrimp and chorizo with rice.
Notes
Don’t stir rice while cooking. Shrimp and chorizo with rice improves with resting time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Mediterranean Dinner Recipes
- Method: One-pan
- Cuisine: Spanish/Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 185mg
My Friend Sarah’s Opinion (She’s Wrong About Most Things)
Sarah initially gave me the look when I mentioned shrimp and chorizo with rice. “That sounds weird,” she said. But then I made it for our wine night, and she literally asked for the recipe twice. Sometimes being right feels really good.
Ingredients List – What You Actually Need
The Must-Haves
Here’s what you’ll need for this shrimp and chorizo with rice masterpiece:
For the Rice Base:
- 2 cups long-grain white rice
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
The Star Players:
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 oz Spanish chorizo, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
- 1 cup frozen peas
The Magic Makers:
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges
Optional Stuff That Makes It Better
You don’t need these, but they take shrimp and chorizo with rice from good to amazing:
- A splash of dry sherry
- Roasted red peppers
- Red pepper flakes for heat
Step-by-Step Instructions That Won’t Fail You
The Prep Game
First things first – prep everything before you start. I learned this lesson the hard way when my chorizo was burning while I frantically diced onions.
- Pat shrimp dry, season with salt and pepper
- Slice chorizo into 1/4 inch rounds
- Dice onions, peppers, and garlic
- Warm your stock in a separate pot
| Prep Step | Time Needed | Pro Tip |
| Shrimp prep | 5 minutes | Pat completely dry |
| Chorizo slice | 3 minutes | Don’t go too thin |
| Vegetable dice | 8 minutes | Keep uniform sizes |
The Actual Cooking Part
Heat your biggest pan over medium heat. This shrimp and chorizo with rice recipe works best in a wide, heavy pan.
Step 1: Add chorizo slices to dry pan. Cook 4-5 minutes until crispy. Don’t drain that gorgeous oil!
Step 2: Add onions to chorizo oil, cook 5 minutes until soft. Add garlic and bell pepper, cook 2-3 minutes more.
Step 3: Add rice, stir to coat with oil for 2 minutes. This prevents mushy rice.
Step 4: Pour in warm stock, tomatoes, saffron, paprika, and bay leaves. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 18 minutes without stirring.
Step 5: In the last 5 minutes, nestle shrimp into the rice. They’ll cook perfectly in the residual heat.
Step 6: Remove from heat, let rest 10 minutes covered. This is crucial for perfect shrimp and chorizo with rice.
Customization & Variations for Picky Eaters
Making It Your Own
The beautiful thing about shrimp and chorizo with rice is how adaptable it is. My nephew Jake won’t eat anything that “looks weird,” so I’ve learned to make versions for everyone.
For the Spice-Sensitive: Use sweet paprika instead of smoked. For the Health-Conscious: Use brown rice and add extra vegetables.
Kid-Friendly Tweaks
Cut chorizo smaller, add extra peas, and serve lemon on the side. Kids love this shrimp and chorizo with rice when it’s not too spicy.
Storage & Meal Prep Tips (Because Adulting)
Keeping It Fresh
This shrimp and chorizo with rice makes about 6 servings, perfect for meal prep. Keeps 3-4 days refrigerated, 3 months frozen. The flavors actually improve after a day!
Reheating Without Disaster
Add a splash of stock before reheating to prevent rice bricks. Microwave with damp paper towel in 30-second intervals, or reheat on stovetop with added liquid.
| Storage Method | Time Limit | Best Practice |
| Refrigerator | 3-4 days | Add moisture when reheating |
| Freezer | 3 months | Thaw overnight first |
FAQ Section – All Your Weird Questions Answered
The Basics Everyone Asks
Does chorizo go with rice?
Absolutely! The oils and spices create an amazing flavor base. Shrimp and chorizo with rice is a classic Spanish combination for good reason.
Does chorizo go with seafood?
Yes! This pairing is traditional in Spanish cuisine. The smoky chorizo balances perfectly with sweet shrimp in shrimp and chorizo with rice dishes.
What is chorizo good to mix with?
Pretty much everything! Rice, pasta, vegetables, eggs… it’s incredibly versatile and works beautifully in shrimp and chorizo with rice.
The Random Stuff I Get DMs About
Is shrimp and rice a healthy meal?
It can be! Shrimp is high protein, low calorie. Shrimp and chorizo with rice provides good nutrition when loaded with vegetables.
What not to eat with shrimp?
Shrimp is pretty flexible. No major concerns with shrimp and chorizo with rice combinations.
Is shrimp better with rice or pasta?
For shrimp and chorizo with rice, rice is definitely the way to go. It absorbs those amazing chorizo flavors better than pasta.
Nutrition Information You Probably Don’t Want to Know
The Good News
Each serving of shrimp and chorizo with rice gives you 28 grams of protein. The shrimp provides selenium and B12, while rice gives sustained energy.
The “Eh, Whatever” News
It’s not exactly diet food at 420 calories per serving, but honestly? This shrimp and chorizo with rice is comfort food with nutritional benefits.
| Nutrition Facts | Per Serving |
| Calories | 420 |
| Protein | 28g |
| Carbs | 45g |
| Fat | 14g |
| Sodium | 890mg |
Let’s Keep This Cooking Conversation Going!
Share Your Kitchen Disasters and Wins
If you try this shrimp and chorizo with rice recipe, I want to hear about it! Did you make changes? Did it turn out better than expected? My cooking repertoire could use expansion.
Join My Chaotic Cooking Journey
If you enjoyed this recipe explanation, maybe check out my other kitchen adventures? I promise they’re equally authentic and slightly disastrous. No pressure though – we’re all just trying to figure out dinner tonight.
