Spicy Chicken & Nduja Bake Recipe: Comfort Food Magic

Nestled within the culinary landscape, this chicken & nduja bake promises a fiery adventure for taste buds seeking bold flavors.

Spicy spreadable sausage from calabria infuses every bite with intense warmth.

Tender chicken pieces nestle perfectly alongside the crimson nduja, creating a harmony of textures.

Robust ingredients dance together, promising a meal that sparks conversation at any dinner table.

Mediterranean influences shine through each carefully crafted morsel, tempting you with its vibrant character.

Comfort meets excitement in this simple yet sophisticated dish that transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

You will want to savor every single delectable spoonful of this irresistible Mediterranean-inspired creation.

Why Chicken & Nduja Bake Packs A Punch

• Spice Up Weeknight Dinners: Transform ordinary chicken into a restaurant-worthy meal with bold, rich nduja sausage that adds incredible depth and warmth to every bite.
• Master Hands-Off Cooking: Minimal prep and simple one-pan technique make this recipe perfect for busy home cooks who want maximum flavor with minimal effort.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: The creamy, cheesy sauce combined with tender chicken delivers a satisfying meal that appeals to both adventurous and classic food lovers, making it ideal for family gatherings or casual dinner parties.
• Embrace Quick Gourmet Cooking: Professional-level results come together in under an hour, allowing you to serve a delicious, impressive dish without spending hours in the kitchen.

What You’ll Need For Chicken & Nduja Bake

• Chicken Thighs: Tender meat that provides a rich and juicy base for the entire dish.

• Onions, Garlic: Foundational ingredients that build a deep and flavorful base for the sauce.
• Thyme, Parsley: Fresh herbs that add bright and earthy notes to the overall flavor profile.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the taste of the dish.

• Nduja Sausage: Spicy and spreadable Italian sausage that creates a rich and complex sauce.
• Cream: Provides a smooth and luxurious texture to the sauce.
• Chicken Broth: Adds depth and moisture to the cooking liquid.
• Parmesan Cheese: Contributes a salty and nutty dimension to the sauce.

• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the aromatics and preventing sticking in the skillet.

How To Bake Chicken & Nduja Like A Pro

Step 1: Fire Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C) and get ready for a flavor explosion.

Step 2: Sizzle Aromatics

Warm olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

• Onions
• Garlic

Sauté until they’re soft and fragrant, about 2 minutes.

Step 3: Unleash The Nduja Magic

Crumble the nduja sausage into the skillet.

Break it apart with a spoon and let it sizzle for 3-4 minutes until it releases its spicy, rich essence.

Step 4: Create Creamy Sauce

• Cream
• Chicken broth
• Parmesan cheese

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Season with thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper for a flavor punch.

Step 5: Prepare The Chicken

Nestle chicken thighs into a baking dish.

Pour the fiery nduja sauce over the top, making sure each piece is generously coated.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven.

Bake for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce turns golden and bubbly.

Step 7: Garnish And Serve

Sprinkle fresh parsley over the top for a burst of color and freshness.

Serve hot and enjoy the incredible fusion of flavors.

Smart Tips For Chicken & Nduja Bake

• Choose bone-in chicken thighs for maximum flavor and juiciness during baking.
• Swap nduja with spicy chorizo if you cannot find the authentic Italian spreadable sausage.
• Control the heat level by adjusting the amount of nduja in the sauce for sensitive palates.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F without overcooking.
• Prep ingredients ahead of time to streamline the cooking process and reduce kitchen stress.

Ways To Change Up Chicken & Nduja Bake

• Spicy Mediterranean Chicken: Replace nduja with chorizo and add roasted red peppers for a Spanish-inspired flavor profile.
• Herb Garden Chicken Bake: Swap nduja for fresh herbs like rosemary and sage, and include diced zucchini for extra vegetables.
• Creamy Mushroom Chicken: Substitute nduja with sautéed wild mushrooms and add a splash of white wine for depth.
• One-Pot Chicken Pasta: Transform the bake into a pasta dish by adding penne or rigatoni directly into the sauce before baking, creating a complete meal in one pan.

Best Sides For Chicken & Nduja Bake

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a zesty Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the rich, spicy nduja sauce and complement the creamy chicken.
• Create Rustic Bread Side: Serve warm, crusty sourdough or ciabatta to soak up the delicious nduja sauce and add textural contrast to the tender chicken.
• Match with Bright Salad: Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the dish's spiciness and provide a fresh, peppery counterpoint to the creamy bake.
• Complement with Roasted Vegetables: Prepare simple roasted brussels sprouts or asparagus with olive oil and sea salt to add a green, earthy element that enhances the chicken's rich flavors.

How To Store Chicken & Nduja Bake Safely

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed chicken and sauce will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Transfer cooled chicken bake to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring minimal air exposure to prevent freezer burn.
• Reheating Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chicken in a baking dish, cover with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Microwave Option: Place portion on microwave-safe plate, cover with damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.

Chicken & Nduja Bake FAQs

• What is nduja and how does it affect the dish's flavor?

Nduja is a spicy, spreadable Italian pork sausage from Calabria with a rich, intense flavor that adds heat and depth to the chicken bake, creating a complex and zesty sauce.

• Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

While chicken thighs are recommended for their richer flavor and tenderness, you can substitute chicken breasts, but reduce cooking time to prevent drying out and ensure they remain juicy.

• Is this recipe considered spicy?

The nduja brings a moderate level of heat that isn’t overwhelming. If you’re sensitive to spice, you can reduce the amount of nduja or choose a milder version to control the spice level.

Chicken & Nduja Bake Recipe

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4.6 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy chicken & nduja bake promises a flavor explosion that ignites Mediterranean passion on your dinner plate. Hearty ingredients meld together, creating a rustic Italian-inspired dish you’ll crave after just one bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 4 boneless chicken thighs
• 150 grams (5.3 ounces) nduja sausage, peeled

Dairy and Cream:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven, heating it to 375°F (190°C) to ensure proper cooking temperature.
2. In a skillet, warm olive oil over medium heat, then gently sweat onions and garlic until they become translucent and fragrant, approximately 2 minutes.
3. Introduce nduja sausage to the skillet, methodically breaking it down with a wooden spoon, allowing it to render and develop deep flavor for 3-4 minutes.
4. Create a rich sauce by incorporating cream, chicken broth, and parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until ingredients meld together smoothly.
5. Season the sauce with thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper, allowing the aromatics to infuse and enhance the overall taste profile.
6. Transfer chicken thighs into a baking dish, carefully coating them with the prepared nduja sauce to ensure even coverage.
7. Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and roast for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until chicken reaches full doneness and sauce develops a golden, bubbling crust.
8. Remove from oven and finish by scattering fresh parsley across the top for a bright, herbaceous garnish before serving.

Notes

• Spice Selection: Choose a high-quality nduja sausage with rich, smoky flavor for maximum depth in your sauce.
• Temperature Precision: Use an instant-read meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally without overcooking.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Replace cream with full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free and lower-carb version that maintains creamy texture.
• Meal Prep Hack: Prepare the sauce and chicken ahead of time, refrigerate separately, and bake just before serving to enhance flavor infusion.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 660
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 880mg
• Fat: 51g
• Saturated Fat: 18g
• Unsaturated Fat: 28g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 5g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 45g
• Cholesterol: 180mg