Hello gwesq,
Thanks for choosing the Apple Support Communities. We understand you want to open links in the Mail app, in Chrome on your Mac. We have a few steps that can help you do this. Check those out below. They should take care of the issue.
Change the default web browser or email app on Mac - Apple Support
"Change the default web browser
Find out which version of macOS you're using, then follow the appropriate steps.
In macOS Ventura
- From the Apple menu in the corner of your screen, choose System Settings.
- Click Desktop & Dock in the sidebar.
- Scroll down and choose a web browser from the “Default web browser” menu on the right.
In earlier versions of macOS
- From the Apple menu in the corner of your screen, choose System Preferences.
- Click General.
- Choose a web browser from the “Default web browser” menu."
If those instructions don't help, try doing the same process in safe mode. Here is how: How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support
If in the event safe mode doesn't work, you might try reinstalling Chrome, then select it again as the default browser. That may take care of the issue as well.
We hope this helps.
Cheers!