How to Make Maria's Paella - A Step-by-Step Guide

Maria's Paella is a flavorful and aromatic Spanish dish that is perfect for sharing with family and friends. This classic recipe has been passed down through generations and is a staple in Maria's family gatherings.

The dish is named after the shallow, wide, and flat pan in which it is cooked. Paella brings together a medley of flavors from the land and sea, combining saffron-infused rice with a variety of meats, seafood, and vegetables.

What sets Maria's Paella apart is the a...

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Ingredients

  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 1 ¼ pounds chicken thighs
  • ½ cup onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • ¼ pound calamari rings
  • ¼ pound small shrimp - peeled and deveined
  • ½ green bell pepper, diced
  • ½ red bell pepper, diced
  • 6 cups water
  • 3 cups long grain rice
  • 1 (14 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • ½ cup peas
  • 2 teaspoons saffron threads
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 6 large clams in shell, scrubbed
  • 6 jumbo shrimp in shells (21-25 per lb.)
  • 6 large sea scallops
  • 6 wedges lemon

Information

  • Prep Time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 40 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
  • Servings: 6

  • Heat olive oil in a very large skillet or paella pan over medium-high heat until it begins to smoke. Sear chicken thighs, skin-side down, in hot oil until golden brown on both sides, about 5 minutes. Remove chicken thighs to a plate and set aside.
  • Stir onion and garlic into drippings in the skillet. Cook and stir until onion is softened and translucent, about 1 minute. Add calamari, small shrimp, and bell peppers; cook and stir for 2 minutes.
  • Stir in water, rice, tomatoes, peas, saffron, and salt until well combined. Return chicken thighs to the skillet; simmer over medium-high heat for 15 minutes, stirring frequently to make sure rice does not stick.
  • Decoratively nestle clams and jumbo shrimp into rice-chicken mixture. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes. Place scallops into paella. Continue simmering, covered, until rice is tender and scallops are firm and opaque, about 5 minutes. Garnish with lemon wedges to serve.
  • Nutrition

    814 cal.

    • Total Fat: 30g
    • Saturated Fat: 6g
    • Cholesterol: 211mg
    • Sodium: 770mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 87g
    • Dietary Fiber: 4g
    • Total Sugars: 2g
    • Protein: 47g
    • Vitamin C: 43mg
    • Calcium: 114mg
    • Iron: 9mg
    • Potassium: 844mg