Chicken Chorizo Paella Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker Paella with tender chicken, chorizo and shrimp. You won’t believe how tasty and this easy mixed paella recipe is – everything cooks in your crock pot with minimal prep!

Paella is a wonderful saffron infused one-pot dish from Spain which takes its name after the special wide shallow pan used to cook it in.

There are many versions of paella, with variations containing anything from chicken and pork to rabbit and snails. The popular version outside of Spain usually contains a variety of seafood as well as chicken and chorizo.

Slow Cooker Chicken And Chorizo

Paella uses a special type of short-grain rice, such as Bomba, which absorbs a lot of stock without losing its bite. The rice at the bottom of the paella is supposed to get a little golden and crusty.

Paella in a slow cooker? You bet! I should clear one thing first of all – this is NOT anything like the traditional recipe, but it IS very easy to make and incredibly tasty. Think of it as an easy paella for home cooks!

So if you want a super yummy rice dish without any of the fuss, this crock pot paella is for you! Let’s take a look at what you will need.

One Pot Chicken & Chorizo Paella

Chicken and chorizo is such a fabulous combo with amazing flavour! Take a look at my Chicken Chorizo Stew – looks amazing, right? If you prefer you can make this recipe with just those two… but why not add shrimp into the mix?

If you are serving this as a family meal I would say stick with shelled raw shrimp (prawns) – young kids tend to fuss over having to peel the shrimp.

But if you can find good quality jumbo shrimp then add them whole – the shells and heads will bring so much flavour to the cooking broth.

Chicken, Chorizo And Seafood Paella

And if you want to inch a step close to Spanish paella you can add mussels and clams too! Maybe save those for a special occasion though, they are quite pricey.

For a stovetop paella I would definitely opt for Spanish short grain rice. But when I tested this paella recipe in my slow cooker with Bomba rice it wasn’t a big success.

I recommend using long grain rice (such as Uncle Ben’s) instead – it cooked really well in my crockpot without turning mushy. Another plus is that this is easier to find and less expensive than specialist paella rice.

Easy One Pan Prawn And Chorizo Paella

Cooking rice in a slow cooker is actually a great way to make one-pot meals. Make sure to use the type specified as different types of rice cook absorb water and cook very differently .

Full measurements and instructions can be found on theprintable recipe cardat the bottom of the page. Please take a look at the steps and video before attempting this recipe!

If you slow cooker allows for searing (like this Morphy Richards Sear And Stew) then add the oil and heat. Add the chorizo, onion and peppers sauté, stirring, until the chorizo starts to release some of its spicy oil and vegetables soften. Alternatively do this in a pan and transfer to the slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Chicken And Chorizo Paella Recipe

Remove the lid and add the shrimp and frozen peas (if using as an alternative to the green beans). Push the shrimp into the paella, cover and cook for a further 20-30 minutes or until the rice is cooked to your liking.

Remove and discard the bay leaves and check the seasoning. Stir in lemon juice and chopped parsley. Turn onto a platter, serve with lemon wedges and enjoy!

Smoky Albondigas in rich tomato sauce – perfect for sharing as part of a tapas spread. These delicious Spanish meatballs are best served with lots of crusty bread to mop up the rich sauce and ice cold drinks on the side. Turn these lamb meatballs into a main meal by serving with rice, potatoes or pasta.

Spanish Chicken With Butter Beans, Chorizo And Tomatoes

This Spanish-style chicken stew with chorizo, olives and chickpeas is simply packed with flavor! Serve with couscous or rice and some crusty bread to mop up the delicious sauce.

This one-pot Spanish chicken, chorizo and lentil stew is such a perfect comfort food for the colder weather and ready in 35 minutes. Serve with crusty bread to mop up the delicious juices.

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La Bistronomie Chicken Chorizo Paella

Slow Cooker Paella with tender chicken, chorizo and shrimp. You won’t believe how tasty and this easy paella recipe is – everything cooks in your crock pot with minimal prep!You’ll love this amazing Spanish Chicken and Chorizo Paella! It’s an easy, flavor-packed rice dish that is loved all around the world.

It’s packed with tender chicken, spiced Spanish chorizo, veggies, and tender rice. The entire dish is so well-balanced and the flavors are seriously out of this world!

It comes together in just 45 minutes. Whether you’re making it for dinner or to entertain guests at home, this chicken and chorizo paella will surely impress everyone!

Slow Cooker Prawn And Chorizo Paella

Paella is one of those dishes that have a special place in my heart. I’ve tried many variations of it, and while seafood paella will always be my number one, this Chicken and Chorizo Paella comes very, very close.

The flavors in this chicken and chorizo paella are marvelous! Incredibly fragrant, and a bit smokey with a hint of spice from the Spanish chorizo. The rice absorbs all that wonderful flavor from the sofrito, chorizo, and the spices.

The traditional way to cook paella is over open flame outdoors, but I adapted this chicken chorizo paella recipe so you can make it indoors on a gas or electric stove.

Easy Chicken, Chorizo And Shrimp Paella

I love to serve chicken and chorizo paella with this gorgeous Grilled Peach Salad and this elegant Fresh Spring Salad. These fried Coconut Shrimp appetizer also pairs really well.

If you’re a fan of one-pan rice recipes, you also need to try my One Pot Mexican Rice, One Pot Jambalaya, and Curry Fried Rice!

Paella is one of the most well-known dishes from Spain, most commonly from the region of Valencia, although there are variations from other regions too. This iconic rice dish is made with a variety of proteins and vegetables, and spices, one of the most popular ones being saffron. It is traditionally cooked in a shallow paella pan over open flame.

Chorizo Paella With Shrimp And Chicken

, which is that glorious crust of toasted rice that forms in the bottom of the pan. It can be hard to achieve sometimes, but hey, practice makes perfect!

The best rice to make this chicken and chorizo paella (or any other variations) is Arborio or Bomba rice. Other types of rice commonly used in Spain are Calasparra, Senia, and Bahia, but those can be harder to find depending on where you live.

These types of rice do a great job absorbing all the liquid and flavor without getting clumpy, so the grains remain beautifully separated.

Easy Paella Recipe

If you can’t find it, regular short-grain rice will do. I would NOT recommend using brown rice though since it does not absorb liquid and flavor as well.

Saffron is a fragrant spice from a flower called crocus sativus. They look like threads and are deep orange in color. In cooking, saffron releases flavors that infuse the entire dish with delicate and subtle floral aroma, and also adds a beautiful light golden hue.

The flavors are so subtle you can barely taste it on its own, but without it, you’ll feel like something is missing. It’s the kind of aroma that permeates through the entire dish and elevates it.

Slow Cooker Paella With Chicken, Chorizo And Shrimp

Yes, saffron can be expensive but it’s so worth it, in my opinion. It will take your chicken and chorizo paella from amazing to super amazing! A little bit goes a long way. I usually get mine at my local Whole Foods, but you can also find it at Trader Joe’s or online.

Below are a few helpful ingredient notes from recipe testing. As always the full ingredient list with quantities can be found in the recipe card down below.

Making paella is actually very easy! No need to buy a special paella burner or pan, and no special skills required. I adapted the traditional recipe so you can make it right at home, whether it’s on a gas or electric stove.

Shrimp And Chorizo Paella In The Slow Cooker

In a small bowl, infuse the saffron threads with some chicken broth. This will bring out the floral aroma of the saffron. Set aside.

Season chicken with salt and pepper. In a large 12-inch skillet, heat about 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Sear the chicken on both sides until golden brown. It doesn’t need to be cooked through at this point.

In the same skillet (do not wipe clean), add a few more drizzles of olive oil and saute the diced onions, bell peppers, garlic, and smoked paprika until softened and fragrant. Then, add the sliced chorizo and cook for another 3 minutes, until the flavors come together.

Prawn And Chorizo Paella Recipe

Once the broth starts to come to a simmer, cover with the lid and let it cook over low heat, undisturbed. Do not stir it, as this would cause the rice to get too