A Spanish dish from the Valencia region, paella is named for the cooking vessel itself: a round, shallow pan made of carbon steel that heats quickly and evenly. A good paella pan helps develop the socarrat, or crispy layer of rice crust on the bottom that’s the most prized part of the dish. Many cooks till date believe that the deliciousness and wholesomeness of a recipe in part is dependent on the vessels you use. This is one reason for use of various ranges of pans and vessels for cooking across the world.
Health Benefits
Chicken is loaded with selenium which is great for immunity. The lean protein is also high in protein content.
Ingredients
½ tsp saffron threads
1 tbsp boiling water
2 tbsp olive oil
200 g chorizo sausages, sliced
1 large brown onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1.4 kg chicken pieces, trimmed
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 1/2 cups massel chicken style liquid stock
2 cups arborio rice
400 g can diced tomatoes
1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1 cup frozen peas
How To Make Quick Chicken Paella
- Place saffron in a small bowl. Add boiling water and set aside.
- Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a paella pan or a large, deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Add chorizo and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towel.
- Add remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil, onion and garlic to pan. Cook for 2 minutes or until soft. Add chicken. Cook, stirring often, for 5 to 6 minutes or until the chicken turns golden. Add wine and 1/2 cup stock. Reduce heat to medium. Simmer, uncovered, turning occasionally, over medium-low heat for 10 minutes or until almost all liquid has evaporated.
- Add rice, saffron mixture, tomatoes, paprika and 1 1/2 cups stock. Return to simmer and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally to prevent mixture from catching on bottom of pan, for 15 minutes or until almost all liquid is absorbed.
- Add peas, chorizo and remaining 1/2 cup stock. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 8 minutes or until stock is just absorbed. Season with salt and pepper. Serve paella at the table from the pan.
Trivia
Traditionally paella is served at the table in the pan with lemon wedges. Fresh lemon cuts through the richness of the dish and adds the acidity required to the chicken!