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Spanish Paella

Spanish Paella

For those who appreciate Spanish cuisine, this simple yet flavorful paella recipe offers a wonderful and unique dish to try.
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Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories: 471kcal
Author: Liora

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into small pieces
  • 1 pound Spanish chorizo sliced
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 red bell pepper chopped
  • 1 yellow bell pepper chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups Arborio or Bomba rice
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon crushed saffron threads
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional for spice
  • 4 cups chicken broth warmed
  • 1 cup crushed tomatoes
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 1 pound mussels or clams cleaned and debearded
  • 1 cup frozen peas thawed
  • Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
  • Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a wide, shallow pan over medium heat.
  • Add the chicken pieces and cook for about 5 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
  • Add the chorizo and cook for 3–4 minutes, letting it release its flavor. Remove and set aside with the chicken.
  • In the same pan, add the onion, garlic, and both bell peppers. Cook for 5–7 minutes, or until soft.
  • Stir in the rice, smoked paprika, saffron, and cayenne pepper if using. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring to coat the rice well.
  • Pour in the warm broth and crushed tomatoes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix gently to spread the rice evenly across the pan.
  • Let the mixture come to a boil, then lower the heat. Simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed. Avoid stirring the rice during this stage.
  • Place the cooked chicken and chorizo back into the pan. Add the shrimp, mussels or clams, and peas, arranging them across the top. Gently press them into the rice.
  • Cover with foil or a lid and cook for another 10–15 minutes. The seafood should be fully cooked and the rice tender.
  • Once done, remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes.
  • Discard any unopened mussels or clams. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges for added flavor.

Notes

  • For a traditional twist, consider adding 1/2 cup of sliced jarred roasted red peppers in step 8. They can be arranged on top for extra color and taste.
 
  • Please note that the nutritional values are provided by an online calculator and should be considered as an estimate.

Nutrition

Calories: 471kcal | Carbohydrates: 8.7g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 34.9g | Saturated Fat: 11.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9.9g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 687.1mg | Potassium: 546.3mg | Fiber: 1.9g | Sugar: 4.1g | Vitamin A: 1254.7IU | Vitamin C: 67.6mg | Calcium: 38.6mg | Iron: 4.1mg