Easy Paella

4.6
(651)
472 Reviews
160 Photos

Paella is a classic Spanish dish featuring saffron rice with chorizo, chicken, and seafood. This easy recipe marinades the chicken in paprika and oregano for added flavor and adds the shrimp at the last minute for fantastic results. Serve this delicious paella in the center of your table so everyone can dig in.

Submitted by mls
Updated on June 7, 2024
Tested by
Allrecipes Test Kitchen
Tested by Allrecipes Test Kitchen
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a mid angle close up view of easy paella with chicken, chorizo, and shrimp in a large skillet ready to serve.
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Prep Time:
30 mins
Cook Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hr
Servings:
8
Jump to Nutrition Facts


Ingredients

Marinade:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 tablespoon ground paprika

  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano

  • salt and ground black pepper to taste

Paella:

  • 2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 2 inch pieces

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

  • 3 cloves garlic, crushed

  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

  • 2 cups uncooked short-grain white rice

  • 1 pinch saffron threads

  • 1 large bay leaf

  • ½ bunch Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped

  • 1 quart chicken stock

  • 2 medium lemons, zested

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 medium Spanish onion, chopped

  • 1 medium red bell pepper, coarsely chopped

  • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined

  • 1 pound chorizo sausage, casings removed and crumbled

Directions

  1. Mix olive oil, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper for marinade in a glass bowl.

  2. Begin paella: Add chicken and stir to coat. Cover and refrigerate until needed.

    seasoned raw chicken in a clear bowl

  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet or paella pan over medium heat. Stir in garlic and pepper flakes, then stir in rice. Cook and stir until rice is coated with oil, about 3 minutes.

    pan with rice and chopped herbs cooking

  4. Add saffron threads, bay leaf, parsley, chicken stock, and lemon zest. Stir until well combined and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.

    Pan with cooked rice and herbs

  5. While the rice is cooking, heat olive oil in a separate skillet over medium heat. Stir in marinated chicken and cook for 3 minutes. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.

  6. Add bell pepper and sausage; cook and stir, breaking sausage up with a spatula, for 5 minutes. Add shrimp; cook and stir until shrimp are bright pink on the outside and the meat is opaque, about 2 minutes.

    One pan with cooked shrimp and chicken, another pan with rice

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

  7. Spread rice mixture onto a serving tray. Top with meat and seafood mixture.

    a mid angle close up view of easy paella with chicken, chorizo, and shrimp in a large skillet ready to serve.

    DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS 

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

736 Calories
35g Fat
46g Carbs
56g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 736
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 35g 45%
Saturated Fat 10g 52%
Cholesterol 203mg 68%
Sodium 1204mg 52%
Total Carbohydrate 46g 17%
Dietary Fiber 3g 10%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 56g 111%
Vitamin C 31mg 34%
Calcium 73mg 6%
Iron 6mg 34%
Potassium 778mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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