Easiest Ever Paella Recipe
Introduction
This easiest ever paella brings vibrant Spanish flavors to your kitchen with minimal effort. Combining smoky chorizo, fragrant turmeric, and a medley of seafood, it’s a comforting one-pan meal perfect for any day of the week.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 leek or onion, sliced
- 110g pack chorizo sausage, chopped
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 300g long grain rice
- 1l hot fish or chicken stock
- 200g frozen peas
- 400g frozen seafood mix, defrosted
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat. Add the sliced leek or onion and soften for 5 minutes, taking care not to brown it.
- Step 2: Add the chopped chorizo and fry until it releases its oils and becomes fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in the turmeric and rice, coating the grains well with the oils and spices.
- Step 4: Pour in the hot fish or chicken stock and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Step 5: Reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Step 6: Add the frozen peas and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Step 7: Stir in the defrosted seafood mix and cook for a final 1-2 minutes, until the seafood is heated through and the rice is tender.
- Step 8: Check the seasoning, then serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.
Tips & Variations
- If you don’t have chorizo, substitute with chopped pork or chicken. Cook the meat for 5 minutes with 1 tsp smoked paprika before adding the rice to mimic the smoky flavor.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a pan over low heat, adding a splash of water or stock to loosen the rice and prevent it from drying out.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of rice for this paella?
Long grain rice works best here for a fluffy texture, but you can use bomba or arborio rice if you prefer a creamier consistency. Cooking times may vary slightly.
Can I prepare this paella in advance?
While paella is best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare it ahead and reheat gently. Avoid overcooking during reheating to keep the seafood tender and rice moist.
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Easiest Ever Paella Recipe
- Total Time: 38 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This is the easiest ever paella recipe, combining the rich flavors of chorizo, turmeric, seafood, and peas into a hearty, one-pan Spanish-inspired dish. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal, this paella is cooked entirely on the stovetop and delivers authentic taste with minimal fuss.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 leek or onion, sliced
- 110g pack chorizo sausage, chopped
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 300g long grain rice
- 1l hot fish or chicken stock
- 200g frozen peas
- 400g frozen seafood mix, defrosted
Instructions
- Heat the oil: In a deep frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
- Soften the leek: Add the sliced leek or onion and cook for 5 minutes, gently softening it without allowing it to brown to preserve its sweetness.
- Cook the chorizo: Add the chopped chorizo to the pan and fry until it releases its flavorful oils, infusing the dish.
- Add turmeric and rice: Stir in 1 teaspoon of turmeric and 300 grams of long grain rice, coating the rice thoroughly with the chorizo oils and spices for color and flavor.
- Pour in stock and simmer: Pour 1 liter of hot fish or chicken stock into the pan and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add peas: Tip in 200 grams of frozen peas and continue to cook for an additional 5 minutes to allow the peas to heat through and become tender.
- Incorporate the seafood: Stir in 400 grams of defrosted frozen seafood mix and cook for a final 1-2 minutes until the seafood is heated through and the rice is fully cooked.
- Season and serve: Check the seasoning and adjust if necessary. Serve immediately with lemon wedges for a fresh, zesty finish.
Notes
- If you don’t have chorizo, substitute with a handful of pork or chicken, adding 1 teaspoon smoked paprika and cooking it for 5 minutes before adding the rice.
- Make sure not to brown the leek or onion to keep its sweetness intact.
- Stir occasionally during simmering to avoid rice sticking but be careful not to over-stir to preserve the authentic paella texture.
- Use hot stock to ensure even cooking of the rice.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Spanish
Keywords: paella, seafood paella, chorizo, Spanish recipe, easy paella, one-pan meal
