Paella
Spain's iconic saffron rice dish cooked in a wide, shallow pan — loaded with rabbit and chicken (Valenciana), seafood, or mixed, finished with a coveted socarrat crust at the bottom.
Cuisines
Spanish
Best for
Lunch
Dinner
Build a full meal around Paella
Get a matched combo of sides and accents
Recipe
Prep: 20 min
Cook: 40 min
Total: 60 min
2-3 servings
Ingredients
|
1 cup | Rice , Bomba or short-grain |
|
2 tablespoons | Olive oil |
|
1 | Onion , finely chopped |
|
2 cloves | Garlic , minced |
|
1 | Red Bell Pepper , sliced |
|
1 | Tomato , diced |
|
1/2 teaspoon | Smoked paprika |
|
1/4 teaspoon | Saffron , threads |
|
3 cups | Broth |
|
200 grams | Chicken Thigh , cut into pieces |
|
150 grams | Shrimp , peeled and deveined |
|
100 grams | Mussel , cleaned |
|
100 grams | Calamari , sliced into rings |
|
1/2 cup | Pea , frozen |
|
— | Salt , to taste |
|
— | Black Pepper , to taste |
|
1 lemon | Cut Into Wedge For Serving |
|
2 tablespoons | Parsley , fresh, chopped |
Instructions
- 1 Heat olive oil in a large paella pan over medium heat.
- 2 Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
- 3 In the same pan, add the onion and garlic, sauté until the onion is translucent.
- 4 Add the red bell pepper and tomato, cooking until the tomato softens.
- 5 Stir in the smoked paprika and saffron threads, cooking for another minute.
- 6 Add the rice and stir well to coat the grains with the oil and spices.
- 7 Pour in the broth and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- 8 Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
- 9 Return the chicken pieces to the pan, arranging them evenly.
- 10 After 10 minutes, add the shrimp, mussels, and calamari, tucking them into the rice.
- 11 Scatter the peas over the top and continue to cook until the rice is tender and the seafood is cooked through, about 10-15 minutes.
- 12 Remove the pan from the heat and cover with a clean kitchen towel.
- 13 Let the paella rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- 14 Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
Tips
For a more authentic flavor, cook the paella over an open flame or grill if possible.