Paella is the king of rice dishes. Effortlessly sophisticated but simple and laid back paella embodies the spirit of Spain. Paella is endlessly versatile but one of my favorite versions has smoky chorizo and chicken. Pour yourself a glass of sangria and discover how easy it is to make Chicken and Chorizo Paella.
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What is Paella?
Paella is a traditional rice dish from Spain. Like most of the world’s best dishes paella is at it’s heart peasant food. Originally made in a wide flat pan over open flame, paella was made with whatever meat or vegetables the cook had at hand. One of the most famous version of paella is Paella Valenciana, hailing from Valencia which includes chicken, rabbit, snails, green beans and lima beans. Paella is highly versatile depending on your taste and can include chicken, seafood, chorizo or be made vegetarian.
What kind of Rice to Use for Paella?
The best rice for paella is bomba rice (found in most well stocked supermarkets, or find bomba rice online), a Spanish short grain rice prized for its flavor and texture. Other Spanish rice varieties used for paella include calaspara, seina and bahia. If these varieties aren’t available to you Italian arborio rice, sushi rice or any other short grain rice will work as well.
Do I need a paella pan to make paella?
A paella pan is a large, flat two handled pan designed to be cooked over a grill or fire. Paella pans are great for presentation or if you are feeding a crowd but isn’t necessary. A good cast iron skillet or stainless steel skillet will work great for paella.
How to Make Chicken and Chorizo Paella
Making paella is fairly simple but does have a few steps that should be followed, especially if you want that crunchy toasted rice layer known as socarrat that is the hallmark of any good paella. Start by browning slices of Spanish chorizo (a hard cured Spanish sausage similar to pepperoni, whereas Mexican chorizo is more of a soft texture. Spanish and Mexican chorizo are not interchangeable!) to get it crispy and render out some of the fat. Remove this from the pan and set aside, using the rendered chorizo fat to brown the chicken on both sides. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside with the chorizo.
Add a little olive oil to the pan to saute onions and garlic until soft and fragrant, then stir in smoked paprika and saffron. Use a box grater to grate a roma tomato to get the pulp and juice and then add this to the onion mixture. Cook this down for 2 minutes until the vegetable mixture has reduced and darkened in color a little.
Stir in the rice along with broth, salt and pepper then arrange the chicken and chorizo on top. Cook the paella until all the liquid as absorbed (about 20 minutes) taking care not to stir or disturb the rice. You can plate the paella or serve family style.
If you like this Chicken and Chorizo Paella be sure to take a look at some of my other recipes!
Lemon Garlic Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken
Crispy Pan Roasted Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms
Chicken with Rice, Leeks and Mushrooms
Cucumber Gazpacho with Avocado
If you make this Chicken and Chorizo Paella please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for my latest recipes. Also, if you do make this recipe please tag me on Instagram, I’d love to see what you guys are making!
Chicken and Chorizo Paella
Equipment
- Large Skillet
Ingredients
- 4 oz Spanish chorizo sliced
- 1/2 pound chicken breast diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 large pinch saffron threads
- 1 roma tomato grated, pulp and juice reserved
- 1 cup paella rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 cup green peas fresh or frozen
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add the chorizo slices and cook for 2-3 minutes until chorizo is slightly crispy and fat has rendered. Remove chorizo from pan and set aside.
- Add the chicken breast to to the pan and cook for 5-6 minutes or until browned on both sides. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Add olive oil, onion and garlic to the pan; saute for 3-4 minutes or until onions and garlic are softened and fragrant. Sprinkle in smoked paprika and saffron and cook for 1 minute. Add in grated tomato pulp and juice, cook for 2 minutes or until vegetable mixture has slightly reduced and darkened in color.
- Stir in rice and cook for 1-2 minutes, add in the broth, salt and pepper ensuring the rice is in an even layer. Arrange the reserved chicken and chorizo on top of the rice. Cook until the rice has absorbed most of the liquid, about 20 minutes. Add peas and cook 1-2 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges.
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Andréa Janssen says
Just came back from my vacation to Spain and I was in need of a great Paella recipe. Glad I found this recipe because it tastes really delicious! Loved the chicken and chorizo combination.
Gloria says
I love chorizo. I love paella, and it has been too long since I have made it. Sounds totally delicious.
Gina Abernathy says
This dish looks amazing. I believe I will make this dish for my family soon. So simple yet delicious!
Kayla DiMaggio says
I love chorizo so much and paella is one of my favorites! This was such a delicious meal and I can’t wait to serve it again when I have guests to really impress!
Luca says
Super easy to make and it tastes amazing!
Mike Guindon says
Turned out fantastic for a first try at paella! Used sushi rice. Next time: Improve the soccarat.
Kasey Ferguson says
I was a little nervous to make this because I’ve never made paella before but this recipe was so easy and everyone loved it. My family is already requesting that I make it again. Thank you!
Toni says
Packed full of amazing flavors! This is awesome!
Andi Fisher says
I love paella! I was lucky enough to have my family living in Spain and trying all the kinds! Then I used to do business with a company in Barcelona and would go every quarter for a biz trip – if there wasn’t a kind I hadn’t tried before, I tried it then! I love the squid ink ones the best, but also the rabbit one too!
Natalie says
Such a beautiful paella. I absolutely love added saffron. And peas. Yum! Can’t wait to make this for my family.
amanda says
Love this paella, such good flavor!
Priya Maha says
I have never tried paella, but this recipe definitely looks delish and I love the fact that it’s an all-in-one dish. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Leslie says
What a delicious meal! Love this family-friendly recipe that is so easy to make!
Katie says
This is seriously my kind of meal! Pinned to go on next weeks meal plan!
Katie xoxo
Oscar says
The last time I had paella as good as this recipe I was in Spain. This brought me back and I loved all the flavours with the paprika and saffron. So delicious.
Allyssa says
Tasted really delicious and super easy to make! Loved it! Will surely have this again, thanks a bunch for sharing! Highly recommended!
Liz says
I have never had this, but it looks delicious! Will be adding this to the meal plan.
Megan Ellam says
This looks so good! I can’t wait to give it a go. Thanks for the recipe.
Petro says
So mouthwatering! Love the peas addition, I’m such a big fan!
LaKita says
This paella is so delicious and loaded with tons of flavor. Love that it has chorizo and chicken as well, so filling!
Mikayla says
I love the versatility of this dish, variety of meat or no meat to make it vegetarian. I can make this for a meat free night or with one of our favorites, seafood.
Amy Liu Dong says
My family and I love Paella so much and I think this is the perfect dish to prepare for them for tonight’s dinner. Yum!
Amy Liu Dong says
My family and I love Paella so much and I think this is the perfect dish to prepare for them for tonight’s dinner. Yum, yum, yum!
Marisa Franca says
We made this on Friday night and it was a huge success with our guests. It was an impromptu dinner with the neighbors and the paella really impressed. It’s so easy to make and a dish you don’t normally eat out, especially around here. The spices were perfect. I’ll definitely be making this again.
Brianna says
I’m thrilled you enjoyed it!
Kim @ Three Olives Branch says
So delicious! I love a good paella and being able to make it myself is a game changer. Yum!
Naïby says
Using a box grater to grate a roma tomato is something I’ve never done when cooking. I love casual dishes like this: flavorful, colorful, and fun!
Amanda says
This made for a fabulous dinner! It was simple yet elegant, and the chorizo added the best flavor.
Moop Brown says
I really love paella and am looking forward to trying this recipe of it. Looks very filling and colorful!
Jan says
This sounds amazing. Will double the recipe. My paella is a 46cm size pan
Brianna says
please let me know how it comes out 🙂
Michael Guindon says
Turned out fantastic for a first try at paella! Used sushi rice. Next time: Improve the soccarat.
Brianna says
I love that! How did the texture of the sushi rice come out?
Joanne says
Hi! I’m wondering how I can make this ahead for a dinner party and keep it warm without drying it out? Thanks for any advice!!
Brianna says
How far ahead are you planning on making it?