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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Slow Cooker Chorizo and Quinoa

    Published: May 5, 2016 Modified: Jan 5, 2020 by Kristin King / This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe | Pin Recipe

    Tasty and hearty, this slow cooker chorizo dish is a breeze to prepare and turns out perfectly every time!

    Close up shot of chorizo and quinoa in a white bowl on a white plate on an orange cloth.

    Tired of the same old slow cooker dishes? Here's a unique one to try! The chorizo adds a ton of flavor, and the spinach adds a ton of nutrition.

    And this recipe could not be easier, it is one of those where you toss everything in the slow cooker, and then come back 6 hours later to a hot, yummy meal!

    Overhead shot of chorizo and quinoa in a white bowl on a white plate on an orange cloth.

    My new favorite way to cook quinoa is in the slow cooker, it is just so easy and I get perfect results every time! Plus, it frees up my stove top and my attention as I prepare other foods for a meal.

    If you want to cook some plain quinoa as a side dish or to pair up with a different entree, head over to my Slow Cooker Quinoa recipe!

    If you are a vegetarian, you can easily skip the chorizo, substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth, and you will have a great meat-free dinner.

    If you are vegan, you can also skip the Parmesan cheese, but then you may need to incorporate some additional spices for more flavor.

    If you can't find chorizo or just happen to have another type of sausage on hand, you can definitely substitute. We got the best results with the more flavorful sausages.

    If it weren't for the kids, I would probably throw in the spiciest sausage I could find!

    Side view of chorizo and quinoa in a white bowl on a white plate on an orange cloth.

    This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

    Slow Cooker Chorizo and Quinoa

    If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars!

    I also invite you to follow me on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, or INSTAGRAM to keep up with what's going on in my kitchen.

    📋 Recipe Card

    Overhead shot of chorizo and quinoa in a white bowl on a white plate on an orange cloth.

    Slow Cooker Chorizo and Quinoa

    Recipe Author: Kristin
    Tasty and hearty, this dish is a breeze to prepare and turns out perfectly every time!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Share by Email Bookmark Saved!
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 6 hours hrs
    Total Time 6 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
    Course Entree
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 535 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 16 ounces chorizo (cut into bite-size pieces)
    • 1 ⅓ cups quinoa (rinsed if necessary (I used tri-color, pre-rinsed quinoa))
    • 3 cups chicken broth
    • 1 cup chopped onion (frozen is fine)
    • 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes (1 can)
    • 2 cups fresh spinach
    • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
    • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
    • 1 tablespoon dried basil
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    Instructions
     

    • Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker.
      16 ounces chorizo, 1 ⅓ cups quinoa, 3 cups chicken broth, 1 cup chopped onion, 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes, 2 cups fresh spinach, ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons minced garlic, 1 tablespoon dried basil
    • Cook on low 5-6 hours.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 535kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 1449mg | Potassium: 859mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1050IU | Vitamin C: 20.2mg | Calcium: 137mg | Iron: 4.8mg

    Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.

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    Enjoy!
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Ryan

      February 11, 2021 at 5:32 pm

      Did you use dried or fresh chorizo in this recipe? I've read use half as much when using dried. Please let me know what you used so I can get the proportions correct.

      Reply
      • Kristin

        February 12, 2021 at 12:52 pm

        I used fresh. Hope you enjoy it! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Maya

      June 13, 2018 at 2:45 am

      Hello, I tried this. It tastes really flavourful but it's wetter than I thought it would be. Do you think baking it would dry it up a bit?

      Reply
      • Kristin

        June 13, 2018 at 10:21 am

        I am sorry to hear that! I would say that letting it sit in the crock pot, still set on low, for 30 minutes with the lid off may help. The next time, cut a back on the chicken broth a bit, maybe add 2 1/2 cups instead of 3, and see how that turns out. Thanks for the feedback and for stopping by! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Paige Vogel

      January 04, 2018 at 4:07 pm

      Would this recipe fit into a 3 quart slow cooker?

      Reply
      • Kristin King

        January 05, 2018 at 7:12 pm

        I think it might, although it would be a tight fit. But I am totally guesstimating, so please don't get mad if I am wrong! I don't have a 3 qt slow cooker. Mine is a 5 qt but there was plenty of room, which is why I am saying it might fit. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Frugal Hausfrau

      May 16, 2016 at 11:59 pm

      What a wonderful combo of flavors and it's right up my alley! Thanks for linking up to us on Throwback Thursday!

      Mollie

      Reply
    5. Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood

      May 14, 2016 at 8:44 am

      Yum! We've been chorizo eating fools over here lately,, os this looks right up my alley!

      Reply
    6. Lisa @ Fun Money Mom

      May 14, 2016 at 1:27 am

      I'm always looking for new slow cooker recipes and this one looks really good! Thanks so much for sharing it with us at Share The Wealth Sunday! xoxo

      Reply
    7. Kathryn @ Family Food on the Table

      May 12, 2016 at 9:35 pm

      What a gorgeous dinner! I love how easy this recipe is - perfect for a busy week! And so flavorful... chorizo and quinoa? Love it! Pinned!

      Reply
    8. Peter

      May 07, 2016 at 9:03 pm

      I am a huge Cajun fan and always put chorizo in my dishes. This is a very comforting dish.

      Reply

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    👋 Hey there, I'm Kristin! As a full-time working wife and mom, my life is such a whirlwind, it makes me dizzy sometimes! So I have been working to develop quick, easy, family-friendly recipes for 20+ years, and this site is where I share them with you! Happy cooking!

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