Ultimate Festive Paella
Gather your friends and family for a vibrant and delectable Ultimate Festive Paella! This one-dish meal beautifully blends succulent chicken, flavorful chorizo, and fresh seafood like shrimp and mussels, all combined with aromatic saffron-infused rice. Perfect for parties or gatherings, this colorful dish is sure to impress your guests and create a memorable dining experience that they'll rave about for weeks to come.
8-10
Servings
320
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken breasts
6 (cut into bite-sized pieces)
chorizo sausage
3 (sliced)
large shrimp
18 (shelled & deveined)
mussels
1 lb (cleaned)
olive oil
2 tablespoons (for cooking)
chicken broth
5 cups (warmed)
white wine
1 cup (dry wine)
saffron
1 pinch (for infusing)
onion
1 (chopped)
garlic cloves
3 (chopped)
salt
to taste (for seasoning)
pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
paprika
to taste (for seasoning)
peas
1 cup (fresh or frozen)
pimientos
1 (4 ounce) jar (drained and chopped)
arborio rice
3 cups (for risotto-style cooking)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced chorizo and sauté until the fat renders and the chorizo is browned, about 5 minutes. Remove the chorizo from the skillet and set aside.
3
In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then brown them on both sides, approximately 4-5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
4
In a medium saucepan, heat the chicken broth over low heat, adding the pinch of saffron to infuse. Keep warm while you prepare the rice.
5
In the skillet, add the chopped onion and garlic. Sauté until softened, around 3-4 minutes. Increase the heat slightly and stir in the arborio rice, coating it well with the oils and juices. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
6
Pour in the white wine and stir until mostly absorbed. Slowly add the warm chicken broth mixture, along with salt, pepper, and paprika to taste. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally.
7
Once the liquid has reduced slightly, add in the peas and pimientos, stirring to combine. Return the browned chicken and cooked chorizo to the skillet and mix well.
8
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 10 minutes.
9
After 10 minutes, carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Add the shrimp and mussels, stirring gently. Return to the oven for another 10 minutes, or until all liquid is absorbed and the shrimp are cooked through and pink.
10
Once done, check for any mussels that haven't opened and discard them. Garnish the dish with fresh parsley before serving.
Nutrition Information
11g
Fat
34g
Carbs
20g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ultimate Festive Paella?
Ultimate Festive Paella is a vibrant one-dish meal that blends chicken, chorizo, and fresh seafood like shrimp and mussels with saffron-infused rice.
How many people does this paella recipe serve?
This recipe is designed to serve between 8 and 10 people, making it ideal for gatherings.
What are the primary proteins used in this dish?
The main proteins include boneless skinless chicken breasts, chorizo sausage, large shrimp, and mussels.
Can I use a different type of rice for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 cups of arborio rice, which is ideal for achieving a risotto-style texture in the paella.
How do I prepare the saffron for the paella?
A pinch of saffron should be added to the warm chicken broth to infuse its flavor and color before being added to the rice.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C) for the baking stages of the recipe.
How many calories are in one serving of this paella?
Each serving contains approximately 320 calories.
What kind of white wine should be used?
The recipe specifies 1 cup of dry white wine to deglaze the skillet and add depth of flavor.
How long should I brown the chicken?
The chicken breasts should be seasoned and browned for approximately 4-5 minutes on each side.
What is the total fat content per serving?
Each serving contains about 11g of fat.
How much protein is in a single serving?
This paella provides 20g of protein per serving.
Can I use frozen peas for this dish?
Yes, you can use 1 cup of either fresh or frozen peas.
What should I do with mussels that do not open?
After the final baking stage, you should check for any mussels that haven't opened and discard them.
How many shrimp are required?
The recipe requires 18 large shrimp that have been shelled and deveined.
What size should the chicken be cut into?
The chicken breasts should be cut into bite-sized pieces before cooking.
When do I add the shrimp and mussels to the pan?
Add the shrimp and mussels after the skillet has baked for an initial 10 minutes in the oven.
How much arborio rice is needed?
You will need 3 cups of arborio rice for this recipe.
What type of pimientos should I buy?
Use one 4-ounce jar of pimientos, drained and chopped.
How much chicken broth is required?
The recipe calls for 5 cups of warmed chicken broth.
What garnish is recommended for the finished dish?
Fresh parsley is recommended to garnish the paella before serving.
How long does the chorizo need to sauté?
Sauté the sliced chorizo for about 5 minutes until the fat renders and it is browned.
How many garlic cloves are in the recipe?
The recipe uses 3 chopped garlic cloves.
What is the total carbohydrate count?
There are 34g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much olive oil is used for cooking?
The recipe uses a total of 2 tablespoons of olive oil, divided between sautéing the chorizo and the chicken.
Do I bake the paella covered or uncovered?
The paella should be baked uncovered for the duration of the cooking time.
How long is the final baking time after adding seafood?
The dish is returned to the oven for another 10 minutes once the shrimp and mussels are added.
What spices are used for seasoning?
The dish is seasoned with salt, pepper, and paprika to taste.
Is this recipe suitable for a festive party?
Yes, its colorful presentation and blend of premium ingredients make it a perfect festive centerpiece.
How do I prepare the mussels?
The mussels should be thoroughly cleaned before being added to the skillet.
What is the purpose of browning the rice?
Cooking the rice for 2-3 minutes in the oils and juices helps coat the grains and develops a better texture and flavor.