Rich in meat, seafood, vegetables, and punchy flavour, paella has gone from its humble origins in Valencia to become a worldwide dinner party favourite. Want to impress your friends with this simple yet delicious rice dish? Follow our straightforward recipe!
Ingredients for a party of 8
- 450g of fresh shrimp (peeled and de-veined)
- 900g of boneless chicken breast (skinned and cut into small chunks)
- 450g of chorizo sausage (casings removed and chopped)
- 350g of short-grain white rice (uncooked)
- 1 litre of chicken stock
- 1 bell pepper (chopped)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 4 tablespoons of cooking oil
- Seasonings:
- A pinch of saffron threads
- 3 cloves of garlic (crushed or minced)
- 1 tablespoon of oregano
- 1 tablespoon of hot smoked paprika
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
How to cook amazing paella
1. Start by marinating your chicken pieces. Combine the oregano and paprika with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, add a dash of salt and pepper, then stir until the chicken is coated. Cover the chicken and refrigerate it for 30 minutes to 12 hours.
2. When you’re ready to cook, place a paella pan (or another shallow, heavy skillet) on a medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of oil.
3. Once the oil is hot, add your garlic and cook for 30 seconds to a minute until it’s browned.
4. Add the chicken stock, saffron threads, lemon juice and zest, and rice. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently. Then, reduce the heat to medium low, cover the pan, and simmer for around 20 minutes.
5. While that pan is simmering, heat another 2 tablespoons of oil in a separate pan. Add your onion, bell pepper, and the marinated chicken and cook for around 5 minutes.
6. Stir in your chopped chorizo sauces and continue cooking for 5 minutes.
7. Finally, add your shrimp and cook for no more than a minute and a half to avoid making the shrimp rubbery. Stir frequently to prevent burning.
8. To serve, pour your rice mixture into a serving tray, then top with your meat and seafood mixture.
Rather get it delivered?
Paella can be a bit of a challenge for beginners, particularly when you’re making it for a large group of people. If you’d rather save yourself some hassle, order your paella from a Mediterranean restaurant like Masta Kafe or El Tardeo.