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. If you love cooking International food, you will fall in love with this comforting dish!
If you love Spanish food, don’t miss my other popular recipes like Torijas and Tortilla de Patatas.
My goal with this paella recipe was to use the tutelage I received while living in Madrid to create a traditional Spanish paella that anyone can make (and without special equipment, like a paella pan). After lots of trial and error, I am so excited to share everything I know and have learned about making Paella, as authentically and practically for the home cook, as possible.
Water is actually the most-often-used liquid in “authentic” paella, but stock is in many cases better. Chicken stock is all-purpose, and a not-too-strong meat stock will work nicely, too. Fish stock is fine as long as you’re including fish, and a quickly made shrimp-shell stock might be your best alternative.
Featuring Custom Culinary® Masters Touch® Chicken Base, Traditional Paella consists of pork, chicken, onions, red peppers, green peppers, arborio, saffron, clams, mussels, shrimp, chorizo, tomato, carrots, peas, kalamata olives, green olives, and scallions. Exotic ingredients are brought together to add intense flavors in a familiar application. Made with: Alternative products:
If fresh tomato concassé is unavailable, replace with drained, diced canned tomatoes in juice. Gold Label Shrimp Base can be used in place of Masters Touch® Chicken Base for a shrimp stock. ©2024 Custom Culinary
What I LOVE about this recipe:
- I learned to make it in Spain, from the woman I lived with for several months while attending school in Madrid. She was an incredible cook and I wrote down her basic instructions for paella, in my notebook. I have since tested the recipe many times on my own to perfect the exact ingredient amounts and method for making it in my U.S. kitchen.
- No paella pan needed: You can use a regular large skillet for this recipe. See tips below.
- One-pot meal: All in one pan meals mean quicker cooking and clean-up!
- Adaptable: There are many ways of adapting this traditional paella recipe. Read on.
Paella (pai·ei·uh) is a classic Spanish rice dish made with rice, saffron, vegetables, chicken, and seafood cooked and served in one pan. Although paella originates from Valencia, it’s recognized as the national food of Spain and there are several different varieties. The most common types of paella are chicken paella, seafood paella, or mixed paella (a combination of seafood, meats, and vegetables).
The main ingredients in every paella dish are rice, saffron, chicken, and vegetables. From there, ingredients vary depending on the type of paella or region where it’s made. The ingredients in this easy paella recipe include:
- Produce: onion, bell pepper, garlic, tomatoes, parsley, frozen peas.
- Spices: bay leaf, paprika, saffron, salt and pepper.
- Saffron: this may be the most important ingredient, so it’s best to buy high quality. If your grocery store doesn’t carry it, try an International food market, or Amazon. If necessary, substitute 1 teaspoon saffron powder.
- Seafood: jumbo shrimp, mussels, calamari.
- Chicken thighs: I prefer thighs to breasts in the recipe since they don’t dry out as easily during longer cook times.
- Olive Oil: Spanish olive oil , or any good quality olive oil.
- White wine.
- Spanish Rice: See my notes below about the rice, and possible substitutions.
- Chicken Broth: Authentic paella would include making your own fish stock from the discarded shells of seafood. I usually substitute chicken broth, for convenience.
How To Make Paella Stock | Helina Sanchez
FAQ
What is the best stock for paella?
What is a traditional paella made of?
What is the secret ingredient in paella?
What gives paella its flavor?
What stock should I use for paella?
Stock/broth – The better the stock, the better the paella. A homemade fish stock would be best. However, if you use some seafood, it drops juices while it cooks which adds a significant amount of flavour into store bought chicken broth and this is how I usually make it.
What are the ingredients in paella?
Rice Of course, the major ingredient in paella is rice. Any Spanish or short-grain rice will work. Vegetables This paella has a Spanish onion and red bell pepper. Some reviewers like to add more bell pepper, or even peas. Chicken Stock To keep the paella from drying out, add chicken stock.
What are the different types of paella?
The most common types of paella are chicken paella, seafood paella, or mixed paella (a combination of seafood, meats, and vegetables). The main ingredients in every paella dish are rice, saffron, chicken, and vegetables. From there, ingredients vary depending on the type of paella or region where it’s made.
What is saffron paella?
Paella is a classic Spanish dish featuring saffron rice with chorizo, chicken, and seafood. This easy recipe marinades the chicken in paprika and oregano for added flavor and adds the shrimp at the last minute for fantastic results. Serve this delicious paella in the center of your table so everyone can dig in.