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paella recipe

 

🥘 Traditional Spanish Paella Recipe – Flavorful Rice with Seafood, Chicken & Saffron

Make traditional Spanish paella at home with saffron rice, chicken, shrimp, mussels, and chorizo. A vibrant, one-pan meal full of Mediterranean flavor!

📝 Introduction

Paella is Spain’s most iconic rice dish—rich with flavor, color, and tradition. Originating from Valencia, this one-pan wonder combines saffron-infused rice with meat, seafood, and vegetables, all cooked in a wide, shallow pan.

In this post, you'll learn how to make a classic Spanish paella using ingredients you can find anywhere. Whether you're cooking for a dinner party or a weekend treat, this is the ultimate Mediterranean crowd-pleaser.

🧾 Ingredients

🧂 Core Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 ½ cups paella rice (Bomba or Arborio)
  • 1/2 tsp saffron threads (or turmeric as a substitute)
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 4 cups chicken stock (warm)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley and lemon wedges for garnish

🐓 Meats:

  • 200g (7 oz) chicken thighs, boneless, diced
  • 100g (3.5 oz) Spanish chorizo, sliced

🦐 Seafood (optional but traditional):

  • 200g (7 oz) shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 150g (5 oz) mussels, scrubbed
  • 150g (5 oz) calamari or white fish, cubed

🍽️ Instructions

Step 1: Sauté the Base

  1. Heat olive oil in a paella pan or large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add onions and bell pepper. Cook until soft.
  3. Stir in garlic, chorizo, and chicken. Brown slightly.

Step 2: Build the Flavor

  1. Add paprika, saffron, and rice. Stir to coat the grains.
  2. Pour in warm chicken stock. Stir once, then don’t stir again. Let it simmer uncovered.

Step 3: Add Seafood

  1. After 10 minutes of simmering, place shrimp, mussels, and fish evenly on top.
  2. Simmer for another 10–15 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed and rice is cooked.
  3. Turn heat to high for 1–2 minutes to create the socarrat (crispy bottom layer), then turn off.

Step 4: Rest & Serve

Cover with a clean towel and let rest 5 minutes before garnishing with parsley and lemon wedges.

💡 Pro Tips for Perfect Paella

  • Do not stir the rice after adding broth—this helps form a crispy bottom crust.
  • Use saffron threads for authentic flavor and color.
  • Use a paella pan or wide shallow skillet for even cooking.

📚 Paella History & Variations

Paella originated in Valencia, where it was traditionally made with rabbit, chicken, and snails. Over time, seafood versions became popular, especially along Spain’s coast. Today, variations include vegetarian paella, mixed paella, and black paella (arroz negro) made with squid ink.

📌 Recipe Summary Card

Spanish Paella Recipe

Classic saffron rice dish with chicken, chorizo, and seafood, cooked in one pan.

🕒 Prep Time: 20 mins | ⏳ Cook Time: 35 mins | 🍽 Servings: 4–6

🔗 More European Recipes To Try.



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