Description
A vibrant and comforting coastal dish featuring tender seafood and perfectly cooked rice infused with saffron and Mediterranean flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced (half red, half green)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 roma tomatoes, finely diced or substitute with 8 oz tomato sauce
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or sweet)
- 1 pinch saffron threads
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into pieces)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped and divided)
- 2 cups Spanish rice (such as Bomba or Calasparra)
- 5 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 1/2 lb jumbo shrimp or prawns (peeled, tail on)
- 1/2 lb mussels (cleaned and debearded)
- 8 oz calamari rings
- Lemons (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
- Add diced tomatoes, bay leaf, paprika, saffron, salt, and pepper. Stir and let meld for a few minutes.
- Pour in white wine and let it reduce for 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Add chicken and half the parsley. Stir to coat, then add rice and cook for about 1 minute.
- Pour in chicken broth evenly. Shake the pan gently to distribute the rice. Do not stir after this point.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer uncovered for 15–18 minutes.
- When the broth is mostly absorbed and the rice is nearly done, nestle shrimp, mussels, and calamari into the pan. Sprinkle peas over the top. Cook for another 5 minutes.
- Turn off the heat, cover the pan with foil or a lid, and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with lemon wedges and remaining parsley. Serve straight from the pan.
Notes
Monitor cooking times closely and don’t stir the rice once the broth is added to achieve the ideal socarrat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: seafood, paella, Mediterranean, one-pot meal, festive recipe