In the realm of culinary delights, Spanish cuisine stands out with its vibrant flavors and rich traditions. Among its most celebrated dishes is paella, a delectable rice dish that embodies the essence of Spanish gastronomy. Originating from the eastern coast of Spain, paella has become a symbol of unity and celebration, often shared during special gatherings and festivities.
This versatile dish showcases a symphony of ingredients, with succulent chicken and plump mussels taking center stage. The tender chicken, marinated in a blend of aromatic spices, adds a savory depth to the paella. Meanwhile, the mussels, with their briny sweetness, provide a delightful contrast to the other components. The combination of these two proteins creates a harmonious balance of flavors that tantalizes the taste buds.
Accompanying the chicken and mussels is a vibrant array of vegetables, each contributing its unique texture and flavor. Diced tomatoes infuse the paella with a vibrant red hue and a tangy sweetness, while bell peppers add a crisp crunch and a burst of color. Green beans lend a subtle earthiness, and peas bring a touch of sweetness and freshness.
To elevate the paella to its full potential, a flavorful broth forms the base of the dish. This flavorful liquid is carefully crafted using a combination of chicken stock, white wine, and a hint of saffron, a precious spice that imparts a golden hue and an unmistakable aroma. The rice, typically a short-grain variety such as bomba or Valencia rice, absorbs the flavorful broth, resulting in a tender and slightly chewy texture that perfectly complements the other ingredients.
The preparation of paella is a culinary art form that requires patience and attention to detail. The dish is traditionally cooked in a large, shallow pan called a paellera, which allows for even cooking and helps develop a crispy layer known as the soccarat at the bottom of the pan. The soccarat is a prized element of paella, adding a delightful textural contrast to the tender rice and succulent seafood.
This comprehensive recipe guide will take you through the steps of creating an authentic Spanish chicken and mussel paella, from preparing the flavorful marinade for the chicken to cooking the rice to perfection. With detailed instructions and helpful tips, you'll be able to recreate this iconic dish in your own kitchen, impressing your friends and family with your culinary skills. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your paella pan, and embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Spain with this delectable chicken and mussel paella recipe.
SPANISH PAELLA
You can make a delicious, authentic Paella--the most popular dish of Spain--in your own kitchen with simple ingredients like rice, saffron, vegetables, chicken, and seafood.
Provided by Lauren Allen
Categories Main Course
Time 1h
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- *Please note, this is my version of Paella Mixta I learned to make while living in Madrid, Spain. I've simplified the recipe as best I could for anyone to be able to make without a special pan or equipment. There are MANY variations to Paella so please be respectful that my authentic recipe may be different from yours!
- Add olive oil to a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, bell peppers and garlic and cook until onion is translucent. Add chopped tomato, bay leaf, paprika, saffron salt and pepper. Stir and cook for 5 minutes. Add white wine and cook for 10 minutes. Taste and add salt if needed.
- Add chicken pieces, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley and rice to the pot. Cook for 1 minute.
- Pour the broth slowly all around the pan and jiggle the pan to get the rice into an even layer. (Do not stir the mixture going forward!).
- Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low. Give the pan a gentle shake back and forth just once or twice during cooking. (We don't ever stir the rice, so that a crispy crust forms at the bottom, called a socarrat).
- Cook for about 15-18 minutes (uncovered), then nestle the shrimp, mussels and calamari into the mixture, sprinkle peas on top and continue to cook (without stirring) for about 5 more minutes. Watch for most of the liquid to be absorbed and the rice at the top nearly tender. (If for some reason your rice is still not cooked, add ¼ cup more water or broth and continue cooking).
- Remove pan from heat and cover pan with a lid or tinfoil. Place a kitchen towel over the lid and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices. Serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 535 kcal, Carbohydrate 59 g, Protein 37 g, Fat 15 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Cholesterol 260 mg, Sodium 1159 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 3 g, ServingSize 1 serving
PAELLA RECIPE
This Paella is a classic Spanish rice dish made with Arborio rice, packed with chicken, sausage, mussels, clams, shrimp and loaded with flavor. It's such a comforting dish, no wonder it's the most popular dish of Spain!
Provided by Joanna Cismaru
Categories Dinner Main Course
Time 1h
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Cook chicken and sausage: In a large paella pan heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken and sausage, season with salt and pepper, then cook for about 5 minutes until the chicken is no longer pink.
- Add onion and garlic: Move the chicken and sausage to one side of the pan, then add the onion to the other half, season with a bit of salt and pepper and cook for 2 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and soft. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
- Cook the rice: Add the arborio and fire roasted tomatoes to the pan and stir well. Let the rice cook in the sauce from the tomatoes for about 5 minutes, you will notice it will start to brown on the bottom, which is what you're looking for. Add the broth, hot sauce, smoked paprika, saffron and season with salt and pepper if needed. Stir everything together and cover with a large lid. Cook for about 15 minutes or until most of the liquid has been absorbed by the rice, without stirring. The rice will not be cooked through at this time.
- Add seafood: Turn down the heat to medium-low. Arrange the shrimp, mussels and clams over the rice, cover with a lid again and cook for another 10 minutes or until the mussels and clams open up.
- Garnish and serve: Turn off the heat and garnish with parsley and lemon wedges. Before serving, stir everything together to allow all the ingredients to marry each other for the best flavors.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 427 kcal, Carbohydrate 39 g, Protein 29 g, Fat 16 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Cholesterol 209 mg, Sodium 1355 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 3 g, ServingSize 1 serving, TransFat 1 g, UnsaturatedFat 11 g
EASY PAELLA
An easy to make paella using chorizo, chicken, and shrimp.
Provided by mls
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Spanish
Time 1h
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- In a medium bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons olive oil, paprika, oregano, and salt and pepper. Stir in chicken pieces to coat. Cover, and refrigerate.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet or paella pan over medium heat. Stir in garlic, red pepper flakes, and rice. Cook, stirring, to coat rice with oil, about 3 minutes. Stir in saffron threads, bay leaf, parsley, chicken stock, and lemon zest. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to medium low. Simmer 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a separate skillet over medium heat. Stir in marinated chicken and onion; cook 5 minutes. Stir in bell pepper and sausage; cook 5 minutes. Stir in shrimp; cook, turning the shrimp, until both sides are pink.
- Spread rice mixture onto a serving tray. Top with meat and seafood mixture.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 736.2 calories, Carbohydrate 45.7 g, Cholesterol 202.5 mg, Fat 35.1 g, Fiber 2.9 g, Protein 55.7 g, SaturatedFat 10.3 g, Sodium 1204.2 mg, Sugar 1.9 g
GRILLED PAELLA WITH CHICKEN, CHORIZO, SHRIMP AND MUSSELS
The beauty to grilling your paella is that a grill has more room for a large paella pan than a stovetop. You will have more even heat distribution on the bottom of the pan, which helps create a beautiful socarrat, also known as the caramelized crispy rice on the bottom of a paella.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 1h40m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Preheat a grill to medium on one side and medium high on the other side. If using charcoal, stack the briquettes so they are layered at least halfway up to the grates.
- Remove 4 wide strips of zest from the lemons, then cut the lemons in half and set aside. Combine the chicken broth, lemon zest strips and the saffron in a medium saucepan. Peel the shrimp, leaving the tails intact, then add the shells to the saucepan. Devein the shrimp, place in a bowl, season with salt and pepper and refrigerate until ready to grill. Heat the broth mixture over medium-low heat until steaming; cook 25 to 30 minutes, reducing the heat as needed if the broth starts to simmer. Strain into a large measuring cup or heatproof container.
- Meanwhile, combine the bell pepper, onion, tomatoes and garlic in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Put the chicken in a large bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and the smoked paprika.
- Grill the lemon halves and chicken over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until the lemon halves are charred, 3 to 5 minutes, and the chicken skin is golden brown and crisp, 15 to 17 minutes. Remove to a plate.
- Meanwhile, set a 15-inch paella pan on the grill grates over medium heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the chorizo and cook, flipping once, until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the tomato mixture, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the juices have almost evaporated, about 10 minutes. Add the wine and cook until the liquid is evaporated, 3 to 4 more minutes. Add the rice and a big pinch of salt; stir to combine and toast lightly, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the strained broth and stir to combine. Close the grill and cook without stirring, rotating the pan 180 degrees halfway through, until the rice is plumped and about half of the liquid is absorbed, 6 to 8 minutes.
- Stir in the olives and peas. Nestle the chicken, shrimp and mussels in the rice. Grill, covered and rotating the pan 180 degrees halfway through, until the shrimp and chicken are cooked through and the mussels have opened, 10 to 20 more minutes (discard any mussels that do not open).
- Remove the paella from the grill and top with the parsley. Serve with the grilled lemon halves.
PAELLA I
A very traditional paella, garnished with chorizo, chicken, peas, squid, mussels, and shrimp. Chorizo is a sausage spiced with garlic and chili powder; remove casing before cooking. A paella pan is recommended.
Provided by Christine
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Spanish
Time 1h30m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- Heat olive oil in paella pan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and pepper; cook and stir for a few minutes. Add chorizo sausage, diced chicken, and rice; cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in 3 1/2 cups stock, wine, thyme leaves, and saffron. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to the boil, and simmer for 15 minutes; stir occasionally.
- Taste the rice, and check to see if it is cooked. If the rice is uncooked, stir in 1/2 cup more stock. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally. Stir in additional stock if necessary: use up to 2 cups additional stock, 5 cups total. Cook until rice is done.
- Stir in squid, tomatoes, and peas. Cook for 2 minutes. Arrange prawns and mussels on top. Cover with foil, and leave for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Remove the foil, and scatter parsley over the food. Serve in paella pan, garnished with lemon wedges.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 524.1 calories, Carbohydrate 56.6 g, Cholesterol 106 mg, Fat 18.2 g, Fiber 3.3 g, Protein 28.8 g, SaturatedFat 4.3 g, Sodium 1162.2 mg, Sugar 4.8 g
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh seafood and flavorful Bomba or Valencia rice are essential for a great paella.
- Prepare your ingredients in advance: This will help you save time and ensure that everything is cooked evenly.
- Use a wide, shallow pan: This will allow the rice to cook evenly and develop a nice crust on the bottom.
- Don't overcrowd the pan: Make sure there is enough space for the rice and seafood to cook without steaming.
- Cook the paella over medium heat: This will help prevent the rice from burning.
- Add the liquid gradually: This will help the rice absorb the flavor of the broth without becoming mushy.
- Let the paella rest before serving: This will allow the rice to finish absorbing the broth and develop a more complex flavor.
Conclusion:
Spanish chicken and mussel paella is a delicious and flavorful dish that is perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight meal. With careful planning and attention to detail, you can create a paella that will impress your friends and family. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting dish to try, give Spanish chicken and mussel paella a try. You won't be disappointed!
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