Chicken and Chorizo Paella

This paella is packed with smoky chorizo, juicy chicken thighs, colourful veggies, and creamy arborio rice that soaks up all the flavour. It’s a one-pan dish that feels fancy but is secretly simple and perfect for leftovers.

note - ingredients can be approximate.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 35

Total Time 45

Course Main Course

Cuisine Spanish

Servings

Calories 614 kcal

Equipment

Cast Iron Pan, optional

Ingredients

15 g (1 tablespoon) olive oil
100 g (3 ½ oz) onion, approx.1
4 cloves garlic
250 g (9 oz) chorizo, approx.3
300 g (10 ½ oz) chicken thigh, approx.4
100 g (3 ½ oz) red pepper, or capsicum, approx.1
100 g (3 ½ oz) yellow pepper, or capsicum, approx.1
8 g (1 tablespoon) sweet paprika, see note 1
8 g (1 tablespoon) turmeric, see note 1
750 ml (3 cups) chicken stock, homemade or store-bought, see note 2
60 ml (¼ cups) white wine vinegar, subs note 3
400 g (2 cups) arborio rice, subs note 4
160 g (1 cups) frozen peas
400 g (14 oz) crushed tomatoes, approx.1 can, subs note 5
15 g (1 tablespoon) tomato paste, optional but recommended
1 lemon

Instructions

Prepare

Dice: 100 g (3 ½ oz) onion and (finely) 4 cloves garlic
Thinly slice or dice: 100 g (3 ½ oz) red pepper, 100 g (3 ½ oz) yellow pepper
Slice: 250 g (9 oz) chorizo

Cook

Heat a large skillet with 15 g (1 tablespoon) olive oil then brown 300 g (10 ½ oz) chicken thigh (approx. 5 minutes each side). Remove and set aside, keeping the rendered fat in the skillet.
Sauté 100 g (3 ½ oz) onion and 250 g (9 oz) chorizo in the same pan until fragrant (approx. 5 minutes).
Stir in 400 g (2 cups) arborio rice, 4 cloves garlic, 8 g (1 tablespoon) sweet paprika, 8 g (1 tablespoon) turmeric —let it toast for approximately 2 minutes.
Add 400 g (14 oz) crushed tomatoes, 60 ml (¼ cups) white wine vinegar, 750 ml (3 cups) chicken stock, 15 g (1 tablespoon) tomato paste. Stir once to combine, then don’t stir again so the rice can develop a crust. Once bubbling (approx. 5 minutes), reduce the heat to medium-low and cook uncovered for approx. 15 minutes.
Nestle chicken back into the pan, scatter over sliced 100 g (3 ½ oz) red pepper and 100 g (3 ½ oz) yellow peppercapsicums, and cook until rice is tender (approx. 5 minutes). You can stir occasionally now. Add extra stock if rice is looking too dry.
Stir in 160 g (1 cups) frozen peas at the end with a squeeze of juice from 1 lemon.

Video

Notes

Note 1 - Sweet Paprika and Turmeric

To make this paella budget friendly and suitable for meal prep, I have recommended using sweet paprika and turmeric instead of saffron (as it is really exxy).

If you do have saffron, you can add a pinch for authenticity. Bloom it in warm stock before adding it to rice for maximum flavour.

Note 2 - Chicken Stock

Homemade chicken stock is likely going to give you the best flavour. If you don't have homemade, look for a better quality stock (and avoid those with lots of added salt as you'll get this from the chorizo).

Note 3 - White wine vinegar

Substitutions - white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, white wine

Note 4 - Arborio rice

Arborio rice is not traditional. If you're after a more authentic paella rice, try bomba, calasparra or valencia (if you can find it). Arborio is a good available, budget-friendly option.

Note 5 - Crushed tomatoes

Substitutions - passata, fresh tomatoes

Storing

Let it cool for 30 minutes - 2 hours at room temperature then store in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge.

Reheating

Microwave. Add a splash of water or stock then reheat on 1 minute intervals, stirring in between (it'll take approx. 3 minutes).

Stove. Add a splash of stock or a bit of oil over medium heat. Reheat for approx. 5 minutes until heated through. Stir sparingly.

Freezing

You can freeze for up to 6 months, but the texture of the rice becomes slightly softer. If you know you're going to freeze, undercook the rice slightly.

Nutrition

Calories: 614kcalCarbohydrates: 74gProtein: 26gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 79mgSodium: 335mgPotassium: 768mgFiber: 7gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 1793IUVitamin C: 81mgCalcium: 61mgIron: 7mg

Keyword chicken meal prep, Chicken thigh recipe

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