15 June 2025
Paella
RecipeShare Test Kitchen
A vibrant Spanish paella made with chicken, spicy chorizo, prawns, and saffron-infused rice.
A Vibrant Spanish Classic 🇪🇸✨
This warm, colourful Spanish Paella brings together tender chicken, spicy chorizo, plump prawns, and saffron-infused rice for a satisfying one-pan feast. It’s the kind of dish that instantly fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas and creates a sense of celebration — whether for weeknight comfort or a festive gathering.
Why This Paella Works So Well 🔥
Paella is all about building flavour in layers. From the sautéed prawns to the fragrant mix of garlic, peppers, and jalapeño, every ingredient adds depth. The piquillo pepper purée enriches the base with natural sweetness, while the saffron delivers its signature golden hue and delicate perfume.
Using bomba or arborio rice ensures the grains stay plump yet separate, absorbing just the right amount of broth without getting mushy.
Key Ingredients That Shine 🌶️🦐
- Chicken & chorizo bring richness and savoury spice.
- Fresh prawns give the dish a beautiful visual finish and a burst of seafood sweetness.
- Saffron infuses the rice with its unmistakable aroma and colour.
- Piquillo pepper purée adds vibrant red tones and subtle smokiness.
Whether you’re making this for a weekend lunch or hosting friends, these ingredients guarantee a flavourful result every time.
The Secret to Perfect Paella: The Socarrat 😍
A great paella is known for its socarrat — that golden, crispy rice layer at the bottom of the pan. Allowing the rice to simmer without stirring helps create this delectable crust. It adds texture, richness, and authenticity, making each bite unforgettable.
Tips to Elevate Your Paella 🍋✨
- Swap piquillo pepper purée for crushed tomatoes if needed.
- Add peas during the simmering phase for extra colour and sweetness.
- Slow-cook a little longer to encourage a deeper socarrat.
- Top with cooked langoustines for an impressive restaurant-style finish.
A Comforting and Festive One-Pan Meal 🎉
This paella is nourishing, high in protein, full of energy, and satisfying enough to serve as a balanced main dish. Pair it with a simple green salad or crusty bread, and enjoy a taste of Spain right at home.
Enjoy your cooking and buen provecho! 🇪🇸🍽️
Paella
RecipeShare Test KitchenA vibrant Spanish paella made with chicken, spicy chorizo, prawns, and saffron-infused rice.
Chef's Tips
You can replace the purée of piquillo peppers with crushed tomatoes or tomato paste.
Add fresh or frozen peas during the rice cooking phase.
For added flavor, slow-cook the paella longer and let a crust form at the bottom.
Add cooked langoustines on top at the end for an impressive finish.
Tools Used
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Ingredients
USMetric
Main Ingredients
Instructions
Preparation
- 1
Cut chicken into small cubes and chorizo into 3mm slices or cubes. Refrigerate.
- 2
Peel and mince garlic. Peel and dice red bell pepper. Deseed and mince jalapeño.
Cooking the Base
- 1
In a hot pan, sauté prawns in olive oil for 1 minute per side. Remove and set aside.
- 2
In the same pan, cook garlic, red pepper, and jalapeño in olive oil for 3 minutes.
- 3
Add chicken cubes and cook for 2–3 minutes until browned.
- 4
Stir in piquillo pepper purée, then add rice and stir to coat.
Simmering the Paella
- 1
Season with salt, add broth to cover, and bring to a boil for 2–3 minutes.
- 2
Reduce heat and add more broth to keep rice just submerged. Add saffron.
- 3
Simmer gently without stirring for 12 minutes to allow crust to form.
Finishing
- 1
Arrange prawns on top and cook uncovered for 7 more minutes.
- 2
Optionally, ladle extra broth on top without stirring.
- 3
Add chorizo slices and serve hot.
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Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 portion
Calories 620
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 22g28%
Saturated Fat 9g45%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 125mg42%
Sodium 920mg40%
Total Carbohydrates 70g25%
Dietary Fiber 3g11%
Sugars 4g
Protein 34g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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