Succulent Gluten-Free Spanish Chicken Recipe

Becky avatarPublished by | Last updated 26th January, 2025
⏲️Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time:
🙏Rating:

Prepare to embark on a culinary adventure that brings the vibrant flavours of Spain directly to your kitchen with this absolutely smashing gluten-free Spanish chicken dish!

This magnificent one-pan wonder transforms humble ingredients into a spectacular meal that will transport your taste buds from the rainy streets of the UK to the sun-drenched landscapes of Andalusia.

Bursting with robust paprika, succulent chicken, and a medley of roasted vegetables, this gluten-free marvel is not just a meal, but a celebration of Mediterranean cuisine that requires minimal effort and delivers maximum flavour.

Whether you’re a busy home cook seeking a nutritious midweek supper or a foodie looking to impress your dinner guests, this Spanish-inspired chicken traybake promises to be a game-changing addition to your culinary repertoire – no passport required!

gluten-free Spanish chicken

Why you’ll love this recipe

Mediterranean Flavour Explosion
Spanish chicken brings a vibrant burst of Mediterranean flavours right to your dinner table. With ingredients like chorizo, smoked paprika, and fresh oranges, this dish transforms simple chicken into a culinary journey through Spain’s rich gastronomic landscape.

Minimal Effort, Maximum Taste
This one-pot wonder requires minimal preparation and washing up, making it perfect for busy home cooks. You can simply arrange ingredients in an oven-proof dish, sprinkle with herbs and oil, and let the oven do the hard work. In just 45-50 minutes, you’ll have a restaurant-quality meal with minimal kitchen stress.

Versatile Serving Options
Gluten-free Spanish chicken is incredibly adaptable. Serve it with a crispy green salad, garlic bread, new potatoes, or even gluten-free crusty bread. Its flexibility means it can suit various dietary needs and preferences while always delivering on taste.

Nutritionally Balanced Meal
Packed with protein from chicken and chorizo, and loaded with vegetables like onions and oranges, this dish offers a well-rounded nutritional profile. The combination of ingredients provides a satisfying meal that’s both delicious and wholesome.

Social Gathering Superstar
This dish is perfect for entertaining friends, as it’s colourful, tasty, and allows everyone to help themselves. Its vibrant appearance and rich flavours make it an impressive centrepiece for any dinner party or family meal.

gluten-free Spanish chicken

Ingredients

  • Free-range chicken drumsticks and thighs (3 pieces per person)
  • Chorizo sausage, chopped
  • New baby potatoes, cut in half
  • 2 small red onions, quartered
  • 1-2 oranges
  • Oregano
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • Crispy green salad and garlic bread (for serving)

gluten-free Spanish chicken

Instructions

  • Oven Preparation:: Begin by preheating your oven to a robust 200°C (Gas Mark 6). Select a spacious, sturdy oven-proof dish that will comfortably accommodate all your ingredients, ensuring even cooking and maximum flavour development.
  • Chicken Placement: Carefully arrange your free-range chicken drumsticks and thighs in the bottom of the dish. Position them with care, allowing some space between each piece to ensure they crisp up beautifully and cook evenly.
  • Chorizo Addition: Scatter chopped chorizo pieces around and between the chicken. The spicy sausage will release its rich, paprika-infused oils, creating a stunning flavour base for the entire dish.
  • Vegetable Arrangement: Nestle halved baby potatoes and quartered red onions between the meat pieces. These vegetables will absorb the delicious cooking juices, becoming wonderfully caramelised and tender during roasting.
  • Citrus Twist: Take your fresh oranges and slice them into generous segments. Artfully lay these orange pieces over the top of the meat, allowing their zesty juices to permeate the chicken and add a bright, Mediterranean-inspired flavour profile.
  • Seasoning: Drizzle a generous glug of olive oil over the entire dish. Sprinkle-dried oregano, ensuring an even coverage. Season generously with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, creating a flavour foundation that will elevate the entire meal.
  • Roasting: Carefully place the dish in the preheated oven and allow it to roast for 45-50 minutes. During this time, the chicken will become gloriously golden, the chorizo will release its oils, and the vegetables will caramelise to perfection.
  • Checking Doneness: Once cooking is complete, verify the chicken is thoroughly cooked. Pierce the thickest part of a piece with a knife – the juices should run completely clear, indicating it’s safe to eat and perfectly cooked.
  • Serving: Transfer the dish to the table, allowing the aromatic steam to tantalize your guests. Serve alongside a crisp, crunchy green salad or some warm gluten-free garlic bread to mop up those incredible cooking juices.
  • Pro tip: Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking. This allows the juices to be redistributed, ensuring each bite is as succulent as possible!

What to serve with gluten-free Spanish chicken

Side Dish Options
Your gluten-free Spanish chicken deserves accompaniments that complement its rich, Mediterranean flavours. A crispy green salad provides a fresh contrast to the robust chicken, while warm gluten-free garlic bread offers a delightful way to mop up those incredible cooking juices.

For those seeking more substantial sides, consider serving with perfectly roasted new potatoes, sweet potato wedges, fluffy rice, or an array of green vegetables that will add colour and nutrition to your plate.

Vegetable Accompaniments
Elevate your meal with vibrant vegetable sides that bring both nutrition and visual appeal. Roasted asparagus with a light drizzle of olive oil can add a sophisticated touch, while sautéed green beans provide a crisp texture.

Crispy Brussels sprouts roasted with a touch of sea salt offer a delightful caramelised element, and a fresh garden salad sprinkled with mixed herbs can bring a burst of freshness to balance the rich chicken.

Grain and Bread Options
For those craving a more substantial meal, consider adding some hearty accompaniments. Crusty gluten-free bread is perfect for soaking up the delicious cooking juices, while Brazilian cheese bread offers a unique and delicious alternative.

Fluffy white rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice can provide a satisfying base that complements the Spanish chicken’s bold flavours.

Pro tip: The beauty of Spanish chicken is its versatility, so feel free to mix and match these sides to create your perfect meal. The key is to complement the rich, smoky flavours of the chicken with fresh, light accompaniments.

gluten-free Spanish chicken

Gluten-Free Spanish Chicken Recipe

Avatar for BeckyBecky Terrell
This dish is so easy to make as you cook it all in one pot.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Spanish
Servings 2 Servings
Calories 75 kcal

Equipment

  • Sharp Knife
  • Chopping Board
  • Oven Proof Dish

Ingredients
 
 

  • Free range chicken drumsticks and thighs (I tend to do three pieces per person)
  • Chorizo sausage chopped
  • New baby potatoes cut in half
  • 2 Small red onions quartered
  • 1-2 Oranges
  • Oregano
  • Sprinkle of olive oil
  • Salt & Pepper
  • Serve with a crispy green salad and garlic bread

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 200℃ (Gas 6).
  • Arrange the chicken in the bottom of the pot, then add chopped Chorizo.
  • Drop the baby potatoes and the quartered red onion in between the meat.
  • Cut up the oranges and lay them over the top of the meat.
  • Sprinkle with some olive oil, oregano, salt and pepper.
  • Bake in the oven at 200℃ (Gas 6) for 45-50 minutes. Make sure the chicken is well cooked, the juices should run clear when ready.
  • Serve with a crunchy green salad or garlick bread.

Nutrition

Calories: 75kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 2gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.04gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.03gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 279mgFiber: 3gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 150IUVitamin C: 43mgCalcium: 52mgIron: 0.3mg
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If you are looking for more chicken-based dinners, then definitely try these 👇

Gluten-Free Spanish Chicken Tips

Avoid Cross-Contamination

If you’re preparing gluten-free Spanish chicken in a kitchen that is not entirely gluten-free, take precautions to avoid cross-contamination.

Use separate utensils, cutting boards, and cooking surfaces to prevent gluten from coming into contact with the ingredients.

When possible, do not use wooden utensils, cutting boards, and rolling pins that are used with gluten.

Ingredient Selection

When preparing gluten-free Spanish chicken, choose high-quality, naturally gluten-free ingredients. Opt for free-range chicken drumsticks and thighs, and ensure your chorizo is certified gluten-free. Always check labels carefully to avoid cross-contamination.

Cooking Techniques

For maximum flavour, use a one-pot cooking method. Arrange chicken pieces in an oven-proof dish, adding chorizo, baby potatoes, and red onions.

The key is to create layers that allow flavours to meld together. Sprinkle with oregano, olive oil, salt, and pepper, and consider adding orange segments for a bright Mediterranean twist.

Flavour Boosters

Enhance your Spanish chicken with classic Mediterranean spices. Smoked paprika and turmeric are excellent additions that provide both flavour and a vibrant colour.

These spices not only add depth to the dish but can also provide immune-boosting benefits.

Serving Suggestions

  • Crusty gluten-free bread
  • Rice
  • Sweet potato
  • Green salad
  • Roasted vegetables

Pro tip

This dish is perfect for meal prep and can be easily adapted to suit different dietary needs while maintaining its delicious Spanish-inspired flavours!

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a Spanish chicken dish gluten-free?

A gluten-free Spanish chicken dish uses naturally gluten-free ingredients like chicken, vegetables, herbs, and spices. Key considerations include avoiding gluten-containing additives and using certified gluten-free stock or seasonings.

What Are the Best Ingredients for Gluten-Free Spanish Chicken?

  • Free-range chicken drumsticks or thighs
  • Chorizo (check for gluten-free certification)
  • Red peppers
  • Onions
  • Smoked paprika
  • Oregano
  • Olive oil
  • Fresh oranges
  • Chickpeas or butterbeans

How Can I Prevent Cross-Contamination?

  • Use separate cutting boards
  • Wash hands thoroughly
  • Use dedicated gluten-free cooking utensils
  • Check all ingredient labels carefully
  • Use separate cooking oils

What Can I Serve with Gluten-Free Spanish Chicken?

  • Crusty gluten-free bread
  • New potatoes
  • Rice
  • Quinoa
  • Green salad
  • Roasted vegetables

How Long Does It Take to Cook?

My gluten-free Spanish chicken recipe takes approximately 45-50 minutes to prepare and cook, making it a quick and easy midweek meal.

Pro tip

Always double-check ingredients and use separate cooking surfaces to ensure your dish remains completely gluten-free!


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Becky Terrell ✍️

Becky avatarHi, I am Becky. I am a passionate recipe maker and having been a coeliac (celiac) for 30+ years I focus on gluten-free recipes. My blog is my online cookbook of gluten-free tasty recipes. You can follow me on X: @beckygwg
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Comments

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  • Avatar for Mariom
    Mariom replied on May 5, 2020:

    Loved it and very easy to make. Delicious.


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