Traditional Spanish Paella Recipe — Authentic & Delicious

Ratings

Expert Rating

4.9

95% confidence

Final Score

4.9

90% confidence

Category Scores

10.0

Taste

7.0

Difficulty

10.0

Presentation

8.0

Nutrition

8.5

Value

9.0

Instructions

9.0

Ingredients

9.0

Time Accuracy

9.0

Would Make Again

9.5

Overall

Cooking Timeline

Prep 20 min

Cook 40 min

Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7

Ingredients

Servings

Units

Base

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 lb chicken thighs (cut into pieces)
1/2 lb Spanish chorizo (sliced)

Aromatics

1 medium onion (diced)
4 cloves garlic (minced)
2 medium ripe tomatoes (grated)

Rice & Spices

2 cups Bomba rice (or Calasparra)
1 pinch saffron threads
1 tsp smoked paprika (Pimentón)
4 cups chicken broth (warmed)

Seafood & Veg

1/2 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
1/2 lb mussels (cleaned)
1/2 cup frozen peas

Garnish

1 pieces lemon wedges (for serving)
1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)

Equipment

Paella pan Wide, shallow traditional pan
Wooden spoon For gentle stirring
Measuring cups

Instructions

1

Heat olive oil in a large paella pan over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces and chorizo, then remove and set aside.
2

Add diced onions and garlic to the same pan, sauté until translucent, then stir in grated tomatoes and smoked paprika.
3

Pour in the warm chicken broth, crumble in the saffron threads, and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
4

Evenly distribute the Bomba rice across the pan, stirring once, then arrange the cooked chicken and chorizo back into the rice.
5

Simmer uncovered for about 15-20 minutes without stirring so the rice absorbs the liquid.
6

Nestle the shrimp and mussels into the rice during the last 5 minutes of cooking until shrimp are pink and mussels open.
7

Scatter peas over the top, let rest for 5 minutes, and serve with fresh parsley and lemon wedges.

Nutrition

Calories 510

Protein 32g

Carbs 54g

Fat 18g

Fiber 3g

Sugar 4g

Sodium 780g

Serving Size 1 portion

Expert Review

Reviewed by FindEdition Kitchen

Verdict

A magnificent centerpiece dish packed with rich Mediterranean flavors and perfect textures.

Pros

Authentic taste
Wonderful presentation
Great for sharing

Cons

Requires attention to heat control

Overview

A classic Spanish paella recipe combining meats, seafood, and aromatic saffron rice.

AI Insights

Summary

An authentic recipe for traditional Spanish Paella, balancing rich meats and fresh seafood over a base of saffron rice.

Tips

Never stir the rice after the first few minutes to allow the socarrat crust to form
Use high-quality saffron threads for authentic color and aroma
Ensure broth is simmering before pouring it over the rice