Traditional Paella with Shrimp and Chicken

"Experience the vibrant flavors of Spain with this classic paella featuring tender chicken, succulent shrimp, and saffron-infused rice, all cooked to perfection in a single pan. A delightful and aromatic dish perfect for sharing."
Ingredients
All Steps
- 1
Pat chicken thighs dry and season with half of the salt and pepper. In a large paella pan or wide, shallow skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear chicken until golden brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
- 2
Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. Add chopped onion and red bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and smoked paprika, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
- 3
Stir in the crushed tomatoes and cook for 3-4 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- 4
Add the paella rice to the pan and stir constantly for 2 minutes to coat the grains with the tomato mixture and toast them lightly.
- 5
In a separate pot, gently warm the chicken broth and stir in the saffron threads. Pour the warm, saffron-infused broth into the paella pan. Stir gently once or twice to distribute the rice and ingredients evenly. Arrange the seared chicken pieces on top of the rice.
- 6
Bring the liquid to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to medium-low, cover (if your pan has a lid, otherwise you can use foil), and simmer without stirring for 15 minutes.
- 7
After 15 minutes, uncover the pan. Arrange the shrimp and frozen green peas on top of the rice. Continue to cook, uncovered and without stirring, for another 5-10 minutes, or until the liquid is mostly absorbed, the rice is tender, and a crispy 'socarrat' (toasted rice crust) forms at the bottom. Listen for a gentle crackling sound.
- 8
Remove the paella from the heat, cover loosely with foil or a clean kitchen towel, and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh lemon wedges.