Cuisine
Spanish
Course
Main dishes
Total time
50 min
Servings
4 servings
Calories
520 kcal
If you’re looking for a flavorful and vibrant dish that’s also approachable, this easy Spanish paella is the perfect recipe.
Combining saffron-scented rice with a mix of seafood, chicken, and colorful vegetables, this simplified version captures the essence of Spain’s beloved dish without requiring special equipment or advanced techniques.
Gather everything
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium tomatoes, grated or finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon turmeric or saffron threads (soaked in 2 tablespoons of warm water)
- 1 ½ cups arborio or Bomba rice
- 3 cups water
- ½ cup frozen peas
- 1 pound mixed seafood (shrimp, mussels, squid)
- 1 cup cooked chicken or chorizo slices
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley and lemon wedges, for garnish
Cook step by step
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or paella pan over medium heat.
- Sauté the onion and red bell pepper until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in garlic, tomatoes, smoked paprika, and saffron (or turmeric) with its water.
- Cook until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Add rice and stir to coat it in the tomato mixture.
- Pour in the water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low.
- Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes without stirring.
- Scatter peas, seafood, and cooked chicken or chorizo over the top.
- Cover loosely with foil or a lid and cook for another 10 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the seafood is cooked through.
- Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Garnish with parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
WhatsApp Channel
Healthy Mediterranean recipes, straight to your phone
No groups, no clutter — just healthy Mediterranean recipes, sent as soon as they're ready. Follow the channel and never miss the next one.
Follow the Channel
