This Creamy Chicken and Chorizo Soup is the kind of meal that can brighten your day while warming you from the inside out. Loaded with chicken and crispy chorizo, it's a creamy, extra flavorful soup that will quickly become a family favorite.

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If you've been on Skinny Spatula before, you may already know that I'm quite partial to a chicken and chorizo combination.

Take this Chicken and Chorizo Risotto or this Creamy Chicken Chorizo Orzo, two recipes that are staples in our home and firm reader favorites.

But the idea for this chicken and sausage soup recipe actually came from my beloved Creamy Chicken and Chorizo Pasta, a recipe that has been read more than 1.5 million times since I published it.

So here it is, one of the best pasta dishes I've ever created, but in comforting soup form!

Why you'll love this creamy chicken chorizo soup

The broth has some pretty amazing flavors from the chorizo, red peppers, and dried herbs.
It's a creamy, hearty soup that's incidentally also high in protein.
Have I mentioned that it's so delicious you won't be able to put your spoon down?

What you'll need

Chorizo - Use your favorite chorizo in this soup. Mine is a mild one, but you can definitely go for the spicy variety if you like.

Chicken - Chicken breast is perfect here. Cut into equally sized pieces so it cooks at the same time.

Red onion - The perfect pairing with chorizo, in my opinion, but you can use regular onions too if that's what you have.

Red bell pepper - I love the red pepper flavor in this soup, but green would work too.

Garlic - As always, add as much garlic as you like, there are no hard and fast rules!

Dried herbs - I use the same mix of herbs as for my chicken chorizo pasta, which is oregano and marjoram. You can also use dried thyme or a teaspoon of Italian seasoning mix.

Chicken stock - Low-sodium is great here because the chorizo will add salt.

Orzo - Just half a cup of orzo to give the soup a bit of body. Rice works as well, just adjust the cooking times accordingly.

Cream - This is what gives the soup that velvety touch. To keep things lighter, use half and half instead.

Pro tip

If you'd like your chorizo to remain slightly crispy, take it out of the pot before adding the chicken and only add it back in at the very end.

How to make chicken and chorizo soup

This is a quick overview with step by step photos. The full recipe with detailed steps is in the recipe card at the end of this post.

Brown the chorizo in olive oil until crispy, then add the chicken and cook just until sealed and no longer pink.

Sliced chorizo frying in olive oil in a wide soup pot

Chicken pieces browned with chorizo in a soup pot.

Stir in the red onion and red bell pepper and cook until softened, then add the garlic, dried oregano, dried marjoram, and chili flakes and cook for another minute.

Red onion and red bell pepper added to chicken and chorizo.

Garlic and dried herbs mixed into chicken, chorizo, and peppers.

Mix in the tomato paste, pour in the chicken stock, add the bay leaf, and bring the soup to a gentle boil before stirring in the orzo.

Chicken stock added to the pot before stirring in orzo.

Simmer until the orzo is al dente, then finish with the cream and fresh basil, adjust the seasoning, and serve while hot.

adding cream to chicken and chorizo soup

Adding basil to a pot of finished chicken and sausage soup.

Substitutions and variations

Add a teaspoon of smoked paprika to give the soup a bold, Spanish-inspired flavor.
Stir in some baby spinach or chopped kale at the end for a pop of color.
Use rice or quinoa instead of orzo if you like. Check the cooking times on the package, though, and adjust accordingly.
If you don't have chorizo, use any other type of spicy sausage.

Recipe tips and notes

Sometimes chorizo leaves a lot of oil behind. If you think it's too much, remove some of it before adding the chicken.
To make the soup thicker and heartier, double the orzo and add 1-2 more cups of chicken stock as needed.
Don't boil the soup after adding the cream; just simmer it gently for a couple of minutes so it gets heated through.

What to serve with chorizo and chicken soup

The soup is just perfect with a slice of crusty bread or a baguette.

I also enjoy it a lot with a bit of olive ciabatta on the side; the olives go so well with the chorizo flavor.

Leftovers and storage

Store any leftovers of this chicken and sausage soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The orzo will thicken the soup as it sits.
Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of stock or water to loosen it.
I don't recommend freezing this soup as is because of the cream and orzo. If you want to freeze it, do so before adding them and finish the soup after reheating.

More creamy soup recipes

If you've tried this creamy chicken and chorizo soup recipe, please rate it and leave a comment below! I'd love to hear how it turned out.

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