Healthy Chicken Paella

I’ve had my fair share of paella over the years, but I must say that my favourite has got to be the seafood version.

Since a child I’ve always been a lover of seafood. I’m quite grateful actually that I wasn’t brought up to be a fussy eater. Place almost anything in front of me and i’ll eat it – no problem. Apart from faggots, that is.

Personally, I think a proper and traditional paella should include a little bit of everything – meat and seafood. It’s got to be vibrant in colour, full of flavour and packed with different meats and veg. It’s safe to say that my healthy chicken and seafood paella definitely has all of that.

Chicken & Shrimp Spanish Paella

What’s even better? This recipe is quick, easy and serves a comfortable sitting of 4 people. Just double the recipe if you’re thinking about dinner parties. In fact, this recipe brings back fond memories of a holiday spent in Spain, Costa Del Sol when I was a child.  We would spend our evenings at a local restaurant on the beach tucking into the biggest paella skillet you had ever seen. Paired with a jug of sangria, of course.

For this recipe i’ve used a variation of meats and seafood. For the meat i’ve used corn fed chicken legs from Keevil & Keevil  butchers (being corn fed really makes a difference – taste wise) and for the seafood I’ve used a seafood selection pack from Tesco’s. The seafood pack contains a variation of squid, mussels and prawns. Unfortunately, I visited Tesco’s at a silly time on a Saturday and I missed the fresh seafood selection, otherwise I would have definitely got it from the counter – the fresher, the better!

All you need is a one pan skillet, your ingredients and your best Spanish red dress. Ok, totally kidding on the latter.

Healthy Chicken And Seafood Paella

Make sure you whip this up for your family/friends too, it’d be rude not to share this flavoursome dish! I served mine up in a beautiful bowl my mum got me a few weekends ago from Man & His Dog Carvings, a bespoke chainsaw carving company. The finish on the bowl itself is absolutely beautiful. The colours from both the food and the bowl went wonderfully together and it made it the perfect go to bowl for serving up my paella in!

Begin by cooking your chicken in the oven at gas mark 6. You can do this whilst you prep and cook your paella.

Heat a large enough pan/skillet with olive oil and add your onion, vinegar and spices to brown. Once done, add the rice, tinned tomatoes and chicken stock and bring everything to the boil. Once boiled, cover and leave to simmer on medium heat for 25-30 minutes. Remember to stir every 10 minutes.

Healthy Chicken Paella Recipe

When your rice is tender (but not soggy) add the mixed seafood and leave to cook for an extra 10 minutes. Add the chicken leg and frozen peas, stir and cover again for another 5.A simple-to-make paella using brown rice, chicken, shrimp, turmeric, smoked paprika, and fresh lime juice.Perfect for a special occasion or weekly meal prep!

Well, not exactly THIS but it’s a great example. See, this DELICIOUS healthy chicken & shrimp paella comes together in just 25 minutes if you have cooked rice in your fridge.

This super easy paella recipe is great for special occasions or even a quick weeknight meal! I used my favorite cast-iron skilletwhich I highly recommend.Btw, theleftovers taste even better!Hello meal prep. ;)

Lean And Green Healthy Chicken Paella Recipe

You can completely customize this recipe as you wish. Add only chicken, if you don’t like shrimp. Use shrimp, if you don’t like chicken. You can also use other types of seafood too – scallops, mussels, clams. I mean, I could be here all day talking about seafood, as I’m sure you know. I will say though, theuse of turmeric, smoked paprika, and chicken broth is what really gives this recipe itsAMAZING flavor.

A simple-to-make paella using brown rice, chicken, shrimp, turmeric, smoked paprika, and fresh lime juice. Perfect for a special occasion or weekly meal prep!

Miami native, first-generation Cuban-American, and the founder, recipe developer, and food photographer behind A Sassy Spoon. Since 2016, Jamie has been developing recipes inspired by her rich Cuban heritage and Latin-inspired recipes influenced by her hometown of Miami.

Chicken Paella With Squid And Beans Recipe

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Miami native, first-generation Cuban-American, and the founder, recipe developer, and food photographer behind A Sassy Spoon. Here you’ll find approachable Cuban and Latin-inspired recipes for the home cook!This One Pan Healthy Paella recipe is a quick, delicious dinner! This easy paella is packed with chicken for protein, veggies + whole grain brown rice.

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Chicken & Chorizo Paella Recipe

If you’re looking for an easy, delicious dinner that is full of flavor- try this Chicken Paella recipe. Made with no seafood, it’s a rich and yummy one pan meal that is simple to make!

Paella is a Spanish dish that is typically made with rice, saffron, chicken, and seafood. It’s cooked low and slow in a large pan so that the flavors of the dish can really come together.

Paella has a unique taste. The combination of paprika and saffron is delicious. It’s not spicy at all, but it has a rich savory flavor. Combine with the sweetness of the veggies – it’s a really unique, delicious flavor!

Sw Recipe: Chicken Paella

What is so special about paella? Paella is a delicious dish that is super hearty and filling. It has unique flavors and is loaded with protein and veggies making it the perfect healthy dinner.

What rice is used for paella? I used brown rice in this recipe but short grain bomba rice is typically used in paella.

Meat:Typically paella is made with chicken, chorizo, and seafood. You can add chorizo to this recipe – brown it with the chicken, set it aside with the chicken, and add it back in when you add the chicken in. If adding shrimp, add it at the very end when there are about 5-10 minutes so that it cooks.Do notadd the shrimp in at the beginning because it will overcook. You can also substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts in this recipe.

Make Chicken Paella In Under An Hour Recipe

Veggies:You can substitute in carrots, sugar snap peas, green beans, more peppers or even mushrooms interchangeably. This is a flexible recipe. You can also add more peas if you like.

Saffron: Saffron is pricey and can often be difficult to find. You can substitute with 1/2 teaspoon of Sazon Goya but omit the extra salt from this recipe as that has a lot of salt.

Vegetarian: We have not tried making this recipe without the meat. The chicken does absorb some of the broth, so the ratios might be off.

Paprika Chicken And Prawn Paella

Freezing:I haven’t tried freezing paella, but I think it might work. The chicken might get a little bouncy when defrosted and the rice could get soggy.

Can this recipe be made ahead? Sure! When you’re ready to reheat, you may want to add a little broth. Heat on the stove until warm

Can this recipe be reheated?Yes, this paella recipe tastes great when reheated. You can reheat in the microwave, in the oven set at 350°F until the center is cooked through, or sauté on the stove until warm.

Healthy Paella Recipes

This chicken paella is a complete meal in itself. There’s no need to make anything to serve it with. If you do want to serve it with something, here are some ideas:

Important Note: This is not an authentic paella recipe. My goal is always to share recipes that are a bit healthier and made with affordable, accessible ingredients so everyone can enjoy them regardless of their food allergies or dietary restrictions. Click here for an authentic paella recipe.

Typically paella is made with rice, saffron, veggies, chicken, chorizo, and seafood. Traditional paella is made differently depending on the region it is cooked. Some people use seafood only, some people use a mix of chicken and seafood.

Slow Cooker Chicken & Seafood Paella

The most important ingredient in paella is rice. The rice absorbs all the flavor in this recipe and cooks perfectly alongside the veggies/chicken

The best paella seasoning is saffron. Saffron is a thread that comes from a flower. It’s very expensive but essential for paella! You can use sazon goya in place of it but it will not be the same.

The 3 main types of paella are chicken paella, seafood paella, or mixed paella which has both chicken, seafood, and sometimes chorizo. All are delicious

Vegan Paella Recipe

Looking for other easy dinner recipes? Check out these healthy chicken recipes or click here to download a free 30 minute dinners guide!