Spanish Paella
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of Spanish paella, a beloved dish that brings together succulent seafood, tender chicken, and aromatic spices. Perfect for gatherings or cozy dinners, this colorful meal will impress your guests and create lasting memories. With rich saffron and fresh ingredients, each bite is a celebration of taste that will transport you straight to Spain.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Main
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups Bomba or Arborio rice
- ½ tsp saffron threads
- 4 bone-in chicken thighs
- 1 lb seafood medley (shrimp, mussels, calamari)
- 1 cup bell peppers (red and yellow), diced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup peas
- 2 tsp sweet paprika (smoked preferred)
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by chopping onions, bell peppers, and garlic.
- In a large paella pan over medium heat, heat 2 tbsp olive oil. Add chicken thighs and brown for 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in chopped onion and garlic; cook until fragrant (2-3 minutes).
- Add rice and smoked paprika; mix well for about 1 minute.
- Pour in chicken broth and saffron; bring to a simmer.
- Gently add seafood on top of the rice mixture, cover tightly, and cook for 10-12 minutes.
- Sprinkle peas on top; steam for an additional 5 minutes until seafood is cooked through.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 392
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 715mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: - For added flavor, let saffron bloom in warm water before adding. - Customize by substituting seafood with chicken or adding roasted vegetables. - Allow paella to rest after cooking for the perfect socarrat.