Best 5 Easy Spanish Paella Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey to the vibrant shores of Spain with our delectable Spanish Paella recipes. Paella, a traditional dish originating from Valencia, is a symphony of flavors that weaves together the essence of Spanish cuisine. This iconic dish showcases the perfect harmony of succulent seafood, tender chicken, and an aromatic blend of spices, all nestled in a bed of saffron-infused rice. Our collection of recipes offers a diverse range of Paella variations, each capturing the authentic spirit of this beloved dish. From the classic Seafood Paella to the hearty Chicken and Chorizo Paella, our recipes cater to every palate. Whether you seek a vegetarian delight or a medley of seafood and meat, we have curated a selection that promises an explosion of flavors in every bite. So, gather your ingredients, ignite your culinary passion, and let's embark on a voyage of creating this Spanish masterpiece in your own kitchen.

Let's cook with our recipes!

EASY SEAFOOD PAELLA RECIPE



Easy Seafood Paella Recipe image

Easy saffron-infused seafood paella recipe with lobster and shrimp! No need for a special paella pan, a large sturdy skillet like cast iron will work well. Be sure to see the tips for best results. Watch the video and step-by-step tutorial above.

Provided by The Mediterranean Dish

Categories     Entree

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 15

4 small lobster tails (6-12 oz each)
Water
3 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (I used Private Reserve)
1 large yellow onion, chopped
2 cups Spanish rice or medium-grain rice, soaked in water for 20 minutes and then drained
4 garlic cloves, chopped
2 large pinches of Spanish saffron threads soaked in 1/2 cup water
1 tsp Sweet Spanish paprika
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp chile pepper flakes (I used aleppo pepper)
Salt
2 large Roma tomatoes, finely chopped
6 oz French green beans, trimmed
1 lb prawns or large shrimp or your choice, peeled and deveined
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

  • In a large pot, bring 3 cups of water to a rolling boil. Add the lobster tails and let boil very briefly (1-2 minutes) until pink. Turn the heat off. Remove the lobster tails with a pair of tongs. Do not discard the lobster cooking water. When the lobster is cool enough to handle, remove the shell and cut into large chunks.
  • In a large deep pan or cast iron skillet, heat 3 tbsp olive oil. Turn the heat to medium-high and add the chopped onions. Saute the onions for 2 minutes then add the rice, and cook for 3 more minutes, stirring regularly. Now add the chopped garlic and the lobster cooking water. Stir in the saffron and it's soaking liquid, paprika, cayenne pepper, aleppo pepper, and salt. Stir in the chopped tomatoes and green beans. Bring to a boil and let the liquid slightly reduce, then cover (with lid or tightly with foil) and cook on low heat for 20 minutes.
  • Uncover and spread the shrimp over the rice, pushing it into the rice slightly. Add a little water if needed. Cover and cook for another 10 minutes or until the shrimp turns pink. Finally, add the cooked lobster chunks. When the lobster is warmed through, turn heat off. Garnish with parsley.
  • Serve the paella hot with your favorite white wine.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 516 calories, Sugar 4.3 g, Sodium 862.3 mg, Fat 21.6 g, SaturatedFat 1.3 g, TransFat 0.1 g, Carbohydrate 61.5 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 41.1 g, Cholesterol 190.1 mg

SPANISH-STYLE PAELLA



Spanish-Style Paella image

If you enjoy cooking ethnic foods, this Spanish paella recipe will be a favorite. It's brimming with generous chunks of sausage, shrimp and veggies.-Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 45m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/2 pound Spanish chorizo links, sliced
1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup uncooked short grain rice
1 cup chopped onion
1-1/2 cups chicken broth
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes, undrained
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
10 strands saffron, crushed or 1/8 teaspoon ground saffron
1/2 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 cup sweet red pepper strips
1/2 cup green pepper strips
1/2 cup frozen peas
Optional: Minced fresh parsley and lemon wedges

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan or skillet over medium-high heat, cook sausage and chicken in oil for 5 minutes or until sausage is lightly browned and chicken is no longer pink, stirring frequently. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain if necessary. , Stir in rice and onion. Cook until onion is tender and rice is lightly browned, stirring frequently. Add the broth, tomatoes, paprika, cayenne, salt and saffron. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook for 10 minutes. , Stir in the shrimp, peppers and peas. Cover and cook 10 minutes longer or until rice is tender, shrimp turn pink and liquid is absorbed. Top with fresh parsley and lemon wedges, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 237 calories, Fat 7g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 62mg cholesterol, Sodium 543mg sodium, Carbohydrate 27g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 16g protein.

QUICK AND EASY PAELLA



Quick and Easy Paella image

Consider this a gateway paella and the first step to a serious, lifelong addiction. When I first do a version of a classic dish like paella, I try to use a minimum number of ingredients and steps to focus on technique. After learning the method, you'll ideally use a wider variety of ingredients, like clams, mussels, squid, and chicken, which will make your rice that much more interesting. Garnish with extra virgin olive oil, freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley, and lemon wedges.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Spanish

Time 1h10m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 pound jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined, shells reserved
2 teaspoons olive oil
½ teaspoon saffron threads, or more to taste
2 ¼ cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 ounces chorizo sausage, sliced into thin rounds
½ yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 ⅓ cups Arborio rice
½ cup green peas
1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
salt to taste
1 teaspoon paprika
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or more to taste

Steps:

  • Cook and stir reserved shrimp shells and 2 teaspoons olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat until shells are pink and fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir saffron into shells; add chicken broth, bring to a simmer, and cook until broth is a rusty brown and fragrant, about 20 minutes.
  • Strain saffron broth through a fine-mesh sieve; measure out 2 cups of broth, pour into a small saucepan, and place over low heat to keep broth hot.
  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
  • Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large, oven-proof skillet over medium heat. Cook chorizo slices in hot oil until browned, about 2 minutes per side. Add onion to sausage; cook and stir until soft and slightly translucent, about 3 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low.
  • Stir garlic into chorizo mixture; cook and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add rice to skillet and stir to coat rice completely in oil; stir in peas.
  • Pat rice mixture evenly into the bottom of the skillet. Arrange shrimp in a single layer over the top of the rice. Lay pepper strips around and in between shrimp; season with salt, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
  • Increase heat to high. When rice begins to sizzle in the skillet, pour reserved 2 cups hot saffron broth over the shrimp; gently shake the skillet to distribute liquid.
  • Bake rice mixture in the preheated oven until rice is almost tender and still a bit wet, about 20 minutes.
  • Place skillet over medium-high and cook until rice is tender, liquid is absorbed, and rice caramelizes and crusts slightly on the bottom of the skillet, 3 to 5 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 476.4 calories, Carbohydrate 46.9 g, Cholesterol 150.2 mg, Fat 19.3 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 26.4 g, SaturatedFat 6.2 g, Sodium 975.1 mg, Sugar 2.7 g

EASY PAELLA



Easy paella image

Whip up this easy version of the traditional Spanish seafood dish straight from the storecupboard. Add extras such as chorizo and peas if you like

Provided by Jane Hornby

Categories     Dinner, Main course

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 tsp each hot smoked paprika and dried thyme
300g paella or risotto rice
3 tbsp dry sherry or white wine (optional)
400g can chopped tomatoes with garlic
900ml chicken stock
400g frozen seafood mix
1 lemon, ½ juiced, ½ cut into wedges
handful of flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped

Steps:

  • Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan or wok. Add the onion and soften for 5 mins.
  • Add the smoked paprika, thyme and paella rice, stir for 1 min, then splash in the sherry, if using. Once evaporated, stir in the chopped tomatoes and chicken stock.
  • Season and cook, uncovered, for about 15 mins, stirring now and again until the rice is almost tender and still surrounded with some liquid.
  • Stir in the seafood mix and cover with a lid. Simmer for 5 mins, or until the seafood is cooked through and the rice is tender. Squeeze over the lemon juice, scatter over the parsley and serve with the lemon wedges.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 431 calories, Fat 5 grams fat, SaturatedFat 1 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 66 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 5 grams sugar, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 34 grams protein, Sodium 2.1 milligram of sodium

EASY PAELLA



Easy Paella image

You don't need a special paella pan to make this easy take on the classic Spanish dish. Use a wide, shallow saute pan with a lid. Chicken sausage and shrimp star in this one-pan dinner.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Chicken

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 (12 ounces) chicken sausage, sliced in 1/2-inch rounds
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups long-grain rice
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 cup frozen green peas, thawed

Steps:

  • In a heavy 12-inch saute pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Cook shrimp until just pink on both sides, 4 to 5 minutes (do not overcook). Transfer to a plate.
  • Add remaining tablespoon oil and sausage to pan; cook over medium-high heat until beginning to brown, about 2 minutes. Add onion, and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and rice; cook, stirring to coat, until rice is translucent, 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Stir in paprika, turmeric, tomatoes, and broth, scraping up browned bits from bottom of pan with a wooden spoon. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover, and cook until rice is tender and has absorbed almost all liquid, 20 to 25 minutes. Stir in peas; cook 1 minute. Stir in cooked shrimp; serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 338 g, Fat 10 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 20 g

Tips:

  • Use Bomba or Valencia rice: These short-grain varieties are specifically grown for paella and absorb the flavors of the dish well.
  • Toast the rice before cooking: This step helps to develop the rice's flavor and prevent it from becoming mushy.
  • Use a wide, shallow pan: This allows the rice to cook evenly and develop a crispy bottom, known as the "socarrat."
  • Cook the paella over an open flame: This helps to create a more intense flavor and evenly cook the dish.
  • Don't stir the paella too much: Stirring can break up the rice and make it mushy. Instead, gently shake the pan from side to side to distribute the ingredients.
  • Let the paella rest before serving: This allows the rice to absorb the remaining liquid and develop a more complex flavor.

Conclusion:

Easy Spanish Paella is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or even as a tapas appetizer. With its vibrant colors and bold flavors, it's sure to impress your friends and family. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting culinary adventure, give this classic Spanish dish a try. ¡Buen provecho!

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