Easiest Paella Recipe

This saffron-infused easy seafood paella with shrimp and lobster is a simpler take on the traditional beloved Spanish dishwith fewer ingredients and no special pan. It will deliver the WOW factor on all level, but you don't need to wait for a special occasion to make it!

This is my personal take on this dish and is different from the traditional, but it offers a few easy tips for the home cook (be sure to check out the tips and video below)

According to this History of Paella article, paella combines the Roman and Arabic cultures as Arab conquerors introduced rice in Valencia. The word paella, may have stemmed from the Arabic word baquia, which simply means leftovers. And it is said that this meal was introduced by Valencia farm workers as the delicious solution to leftovers. Basically, a one-pot rice meal embellished with whatever ingredients one had on hand. And that's why, it makes perfect sense that there are many variations of it today.

Easy Spanish Paella I Panning The Globe

In an article by The Guardian, Valencian chef Llorenç Millo is quoted saying, paella has as many recipes as there are villages, and nearly as many as there are cooks. To me, that makes it one of the most exciting and inviting dishes.

And I'll say right off the bat, this seafood paella recipe is my own pared down version, prepared as an easy weeknight solution that does not require a special fire nor a special pan.

Historically, in Valencia, this dish would have incorporated things like chicken thighs, rabbit, snails and beans (about three kinds of fresh beans). But, as mentioned earlier, paella is the mother of leftover solutions and one-pot meals, and the ingredients will vary from place to place, depending on the traditions and what ingredients are available. Nowadays, particularly in the States, paella is almost always associated with seafood.

Instant Pot Shrimp Paella

When you cook paella rice, you're looking for the end result to be dry, separated rice and not something like a creamy risotto or a sticky rice like you would eat at a Chinese restaurant. That's why, your choice of rice here is important.

The best rice option to use when making this dish is a medium-grain rice that can absorb the liquid while maintaining some bite and firmness. Round Spanish rice could be hard to find, but something like Goya medium grain rice (affiliate link) will work. Long-grain rice is not a good option here.

In this easy seafood paella, I kept the ingredient list short, focusing on two seafood options: shrimp and lobster. If either is not available to you, feel free to get creative using a firm fish or some mussels or clams. I did not add any chicken or chorizo, but again, if that is something you are looking for, feel free to adapt this recipe (see section below called variations).

Shrimp And Chorizo Paella Recipe

And while, traditionally, this dish is cooked over open fire made of tree prunings, this easy, home-cooked version is simply cooked on the stovetop.

If you have a paella pan or even a special outdoor paella grill (affiliate links), that would be ideal. But I don't have one, and found it easy enough to use a sturdy skillet.

The important thing is that the skillet you use has a large and even surface, which aids in cooking the rice properly and quickly. That's why a round-bottomed wok is not a good choice for making paella. It's not impossible, but if you're new to making this, you would have better results using a carbon steel pan or a cast iron skillet, which is what I used in this recipe.

The Ultimate Easy Spanish Paella Recipe

1- The first step here is to get the lobster cooking in boiling water. This will be quick, about 1 to 2 minutes. You don't want to overcook the lobster, but you're looking for it to turn a nice pink. When the lobster is cool enough to handle, remove the shell and cut into large chunks to use later. Important: keep the lobster water for later use.

2. I like to soak the paella rice in water a few minutes (15 to 20 minutes or so) before using, this helps it cook evenly. Then, to begin making the paella, heat 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil over medium-high (making sure it's shimmering but not smoking.) Saute chopped onions first for a couple minutes, then add the rice (drain first).

Cook the rice for 3 minutes, stirring regularly. Yes, I am aware that in some recipes you are almost forbidden from stirring the rice. But it worked best for me this way. Grateful to Bobby Flay for this tip.

Camp Cooking: Easy Campfire Paella

3- Now we add a few more ingredients: garlic and the lobster cooking water first. Then the saffron and it's soaking liquid along with spices, paprika, cayenne pepper, aleppo pepper, and salt.

3. b) Stir in the chopped tomato and green beans. Bring to a boil and let the liquid reduce, then cover (with lid or tightly with foil) and cook on low heat for 20 minutes.

4- Now, we add the shrimp over the rice, pushing it into the rice a little. At this point, if the rice looks to be too dry and might need a tiny bit of water, you can carefully add some. Cover and cook for another 10-15 minutes until the shrimp turns pink.

Easy Paella Recipe

4- b) Finally, add the cooked lobster chunks. When the lobster is warmed through, turn heat off. Garnish with parsley, if you like.

Traditions aside, in my house, we serve paella family-style with a favorite white wine or a bit of sangria to go along. Of course, adding a little something to start the meal like chilled tomato Gazpacho is always an option. To finish, try Crema Catalana, Spain's version of crème brûlée.

Easy saffron-infused seafood paella recipe with lobster and shrimp! No need for a special paella pan, a large sturdy skillet like cast iron will work well. Be sure to see the tips for best results. Watch the video and step-by-step tutorial above.

All In One Paella

*This post originally appeared on The Mediterranean Dish in 2015, and it has recently been updated with new information and media for readers' benefit.

I'm Suzy; born and bred right on the shores of the Mediterranean. I'm all about easy, healthy recipes with big Mediterranean flavors. Three values guide my cooking: eat with the seasons; use whole foods; and above all, share! So happy you're here...This quick and easy Paella recipe is easy enough for a weeknight meal, yet fancy enough to serve to dinner guests. Full of Spanish flair and amazingly tasty!

Paella is one of the world’s most famous rice dishes and one of my personal favorite dishes. When my husband really wants to pamper me he takes me out to eat paella. We have a couple of Spanish restaurants nearby that are very good, but they are also very expensive, so we go on only for really really really special occasions.

Easy Spanish Paella

Some paella purists say that chicken and rabbit are mandatory, snails are optional, meanwhile fish and shellfish are absolutely out of the question. Unlike with a risotto, stirring is absolutely forbidden because you don’t want a creamy result, and so forth!

Honestly, I think that the most important thing is that the person who is cooking really enjoys the dish itself and the process of making it.

I do not claim that my recipe represents the traditional Spanish way of cooking Paella, but it’s pretty darn good and the fact that it comes together quickly in just one pot makes it even better.

How To Make Easy Paella Without Saffron

BrothThis recipe turns out great using chicken broth, but if you want to make it even more special, you can usethis Cooking Broth for Valencian Paella. If using paella broth, mix 1 container (4 cups – 1000ml) + 1/2 cup chicken broth. You can omit the saffron because it is included in the paella broth.

Rice:I used Uncle Ben’s original rice (long grain) because it was the one I had on hand, but Paella is supposed to be done with medium-grain rice. Some stores, such as Sur La Table and World Market, sell authentic rice for paella. You can also find it onAmazon.

Saffron:If you do not find/have thesaffronyou can use an envelope of thisseasoning mixthat is easy and cheaper to buy in any grocery store.

Easiest Ever Paella Recipe

Paella Pan:This is thepaella panI used. If you don’t have a paella pan, use a 13- 15 inch or larger skillet. Try to find a heat source that can accommodate the whole paella pan or skillet. Depending on the configuration of your burners, you’ll need to place the pan over two burners or set it on your largest burner. Either way, you’ll have to move and rotate the pan to distribute the heat.

Variations:You can add some mussels if you want. Add them in step 5, after arranging the shrimp. Make sure to discard any shell that is not open after cooking.

Paella is supposed to be done with medium-grain rice called “Bomba”. Some stores, such as Sur La Table and World Market, sell authentic rice for paella. You can also find it on Amazon.

Easy Paella Recipe With Beef And Shrimp

A Paella pan is very helpful when making Paella, but