Ece YetkinerCommis de Cuisine
14 June 2026 Last updated: 12 September 2026

Originating in Spain’s Valencia region, paella is saffron rice cooked with chicken, shrimp, and mussels in a wide, shallow pan. The crisp layer of rice that forms on the bottom, called socarrat, is its signature feature.

Step by Step

How to make it?

1

Brown the chicken

8 min

Cook the chicken in olive oil over medium heat for 8 minutes, until browned on all sides. Set aside.

2

Make the sofrito

13 min

In the same pan, cook the onion, garlic, and bell pepper over medium heat for 8 minutes. Add the tomato and cook for 5 minutes more.

3

Add the rice

5 min

Add the rice and cook for 2 minutes. Add the saffron-infused chicken stock and chicken, then bring to a boil over medium heat without stirring.

4

Simmer the paella

20 min

Cook uncovered over low heat for 18–20 minutes without stirring. Add the shrimp, mussels, and peas during the last 5 minutes.

5

Let the paella rest

5 min

Remove from the heat, cover with a clean towel, and let rest for 5 minutes. Cooking without stirring allows a crisp layer of rice called socarrat to form on the bottom.

6

Serve

Serve hot with lemon wedges.

Reminder

Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 2 days. Freezing is not recommended because the dish contains seafood.

Nutritional Values · 1 serving

Values are estimates
480 kcalCalories
30 gProtein
56 gCarbohydrate
16 gFat
3 gFiber
5 gSugar
620 mgSodium
3 gSaturated Fat
Protein 25% Carbohydrate 46% Fat 30%
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