Quick and Flavorful Paella Recipe

Paella is a classic Spanish rice dish made with rice, saffron, vegetables, chicken, and seafood. It’s cooked and served in one pan, creating a flavorful and comforting meal. There are various types of paella, including chicken paella, seafood paella, and mixed paella. The key to a great paella lies in using high-quality saffron and layering the ingredients to create depth of flavor. Whether enjoyed by the seaside or at home, paella is a beloved dish that captures the essence of Spanish cuisine. 

Directions:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/2 lb chicken thighs, diced
• 1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/2 cup chorizo sausage, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 tomato, diced
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish
• Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions:

1. Prepare Ingredients: In a bowl, combine the saffron threads (if using) with warm broth and let it infuse while preparing other ingredients.
2. Sauté Chicken and Chorizo: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or paella pan over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken thighs and sliced chorizo sausage. Cook until browned, then remove from the pan and set aside.
3. Sauté Aromatics: In the same pan, sauté chopped onion, minced garlic, diced red bell pepper, and diced tomato until softened.
4. Add Rice and Liquid: Stir in Arborio rice, smoked paprika, and infused broth. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10-12 minutes, until the rice is almost tender.
5. Add Seafood and Peas: Return the cooked chicken and chorizo to the pan. Add peeled shrimp and frozen peas. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, until the shrimp are pink and opaque.
6. Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot with lemon wedges on the side.

Optional Cook’s Note: If chorizo sausage is difficult to find, you can substitute with spicy Italian sausage or omit it altogether for a vegetarian version.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: 380 kcal
• Total Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Cholesterol: 120mg
• Sodium: 680mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 40g
• Dietary Fiber: 3g
• Sugars: 3g
• Protein: 26g