Mediterranean diet recipe: Easy Chicken Paella for Beginners
dinnerchickenhigh-proteingluten-freebeginners

Easy Chicken Paella for Beginners

One-pan chicken paella with saffron rice and peas is a festive Mediterranean diet dinner. Easy enough for beginners—make this easy recipe tonight.

⏱️
Prep Time
15 min
🍳
Cook Time
35 min
👥
Servings
6
📊
Difficulty
medium

🥘 Ingredients

Paella

  • 6 chicken thighs, bone-in
  • 2 cups bomba or short-grain rice
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • Pinch of saffron
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1 bell pepper, sliced
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

📝 Instructions

  1. 1

    Brown chicken in olive oil in a large paella pan or skillet, 5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.

  2. 2

    Sauté pepper in the same pan. Add rice and toast 2 minutes.

  3. 3

    Stir in warm broth with saffron and paprika. Nestle chicken back in. Simmer 25 minutes without stirring.

  4. 4

    Add peas in the last 5 minutes. Rest 5 minutes before serving.

    💡 Tip: Do not stir once broth is added—that creates the socarrat crust.

📊 Nutrition Facts

Calories465
Protein34g
Carbohydrates48g
Fat14g
Fiber3g

Per serving

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