Zesty Chicken & Chorizo Paella
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of our Zesty Chicken & Chorizo Paella, a classic Spanish dish brought to life with hearty ingredients and a kick of spice. This recipe is crafted for simplicity, allowing you to create two generous meals from one cooking session—perfect for families or busy weeknights. Packed with tender chicken, smoky chorizo, and a colorful medley of vegetables, this paella is not just a feast for the palate but also a feast for the eyes. With a convenient freezing option, you can effortlessly prepare a delicious dinner for a rainy day leaving minimal cleanup behind. Each serving promises warmth and comfort, making it an instant favorite at your dinner table.
N/A
Servings
450
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
chorizo sausage
10.5 ounces (halved lengthways and sliced)
chicken thighs
8 (skin removed, boned and cut into large chunks)
olive oil
2 tablespoons (for cooking)
onions
2 (chopped)
garlic cloves
4 (crushed)
smoked sweet paprika
1 tablespoon
paella rice
1.33 lbs
chicken stock
8.5 cups (hot)
red peppers
2 (deseeded and sliced)
yellow peppers
2 (deseeded and sliced)
fine green beans
5 ounces (trimmed and blanched)
roma tomatoes
6 (cut into chunky pieces)
fresh flat leaf parsley
1 ounce (leaves picked and chopped)
lemon wedge
1 (to serve)
Instructions
1
Begin by heating two large, deep frying pans over medium heat. Once hot, add the sliced chorizo to both pans, allowing it to cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it turns golden and the oils are released. Use a slotted spoon to remove and set it aside.
2
Next, add the chicken chunks to the pans. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the chicken is nicely browned. Again, remove with a slotted spoon and set it aside.
3
In each pan, drizzle in 1 tablespoon of olive oil and add the chopped onions. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions have softened. Incorporate the crushed garlic and smoked sweet paprika, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant.
4
Stir in the paella rice, ensuring it’s well coated with the oil and cook for another minute. Pour in half of the hot chicken stock into each pan and let it simmer for approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5
Return the cooked chicken to each pan, then add the sliced red and yellow peppers, blanched green beans, and chunky roma tomatoes. Stir gently and cook for an additional 5 minutes, adding more stock or a splash of hot water if the mixture seems too dry.
6
Season each pan to taste and mix in the reserved chorizo and chopped parsley. Transfer half of the paella to two freezer-proof boxes, allowing it to cool before sealing, labeling, and freezing for future meals.
7
For the remaining paella, continue cooking for about 5 more minutes or until the rice is just tender and most of the liquid has evaporated. Serve hot with lemon wedges on the side for an extra zesty kick.
Nutrition Information
15g
Fat
50g
Carbs
30g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Chicken & Chorizo Paella?
It is a vibrant, classic Spanish dish made with tender chicken thighs, smoky chorizo sausage, and a colorful mix of vegetables, perfect for meal prep or family dinners.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to create two generous meals from one cooking session, allowing you to eat one and freeze the other.
How long do I cook the chorizo?
The sliced chorizo should be cooked for 3-4 minutes over medium heat until golden and the flavorful oils are released.
What type of chicken is best for this paella?
The recipe calls for 8 chicken thighs with the skin removed and boned, cut into large chunky pieces for the best flavor and texture.
What kind of rice should I use?
You should use specific paella rice, approximately 1.33 lbs, to ensure the dish has the correct traditional consistency.
Can I freeze this paella?
Yes, you can transfer half of the paella to freezer-proof boxes once cooled, making it an excellent meal for a rainy day.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving of this Zesty Chicken & Chorizo Paella contains approximately 450 calories.
What vegetables are included in the dish?
The paella features a medley of onions, garlic, red peppers, yellow peppers, blanched fine green beans, and chunky roma tomatoes.
What spice gives the dish its smoky flavor?
The smoky depth in this recipe comes from the addition of one tablespoon of smoked sweet paprika.
How long should I sauté the onions?
The chopped onions should be cooked in olive oil for about 6-8 minutes until they have softened.
How much chicken stock is required?
The recipe requires 8.5 cups of hot chicken stock, added in stages to cook the rice.
What should I do if the rice is too dry during cooking?
If the mixture seems too dry, you can stir in more chicken stock or a splash of hot water while it simmers.
How do I prepare the green beans?
The fine green beans should be trimmed and blanched before being added to the frying pan.
Is there a specific garnish for this dish?
The dish is finished with fresh chopped flat leaf parsley and served with lemon wedges for a zesty kick.
How much protein does this meal provide?
This paella is high in protein, offering 30g per serving.
What is the preparation for the garlic?
The recipe uses 4 cloves of garlic, which should be crushed and cooked briefly until fragrant.
What type of pan is recommended?
It is recommended to use two large, deep frying pans to accommodate the large volume of ingredients.
How many carbohydrates are in this recipe?
There are approximately 50g of carbohydrates per serving.
Do I need to cook the chicken and chorizo together?
No, they are browned separately and set aside before being reintegrated into the rice and vegetable mixture later.
What is the fat content per serving?
A serving of this paella contains approximately 15g of fat.
How do I prepare the roma tomatoes?
The 6 roma tomatoes should be cut into chunky pieces before being added to the pan.
How long does the rice simmer initially?
Once half of the stock is added, the rice should simmer for approximately 10 minutes with occasional stirring.
When do I add the cooked chorizo back into the pan?
The reserved chorizo is mixed back into the pan along with the parsley just before transferring half to freezer boxes.
How do I know the paella is ready to serve?
The paella is ready when the rice is just tender and most of the liquid has evaporated.
How should I prepare the chorizo for cooking?
The chorizo sausage should be halved lengthways and then sliced into bite-sized pieces.
Can I use this for meal prep?
Yes, it is explicitly designed to be a 'cook once, eat twice' recipe with clear freezing instructions.
Is the chicken stock added all at once?
No, you start by adding half of the stock to simmer the rice, then add more later as needed to reach the desired consistency.
What is the role of the olive oil in this recipe?
Two tablespoons of olive oil are used to sauté the onions and coat the rice, preventing it from sticking.
How many bell peppers are needed?
The recipe requires 4 peppers in total: 2 red and 2 yellow, both deseeded and sliced.
What is the total number of ingredients used?
This recipe utilizes 14 distinct ingredients to create its deep, complex flavor profile.