One-Pan Chicken and Seafood Paella with Saffron
A colorful, fragrant paella combining tender chicken and succulent seafood simmered with saffron-infused rice. This spanish-inspired seafood ready in about 60 minutes pairs (about 600g) bone-in chicken thighs, olive oil, chopped medium onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces (about 600g) bone-in chicken thighs
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 1, chopped medium onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1, sliced red bell pepper
- 1 1/2 cups (300g) short grain rice
- 4 cups (960ml), warmed chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp, soaked in 2 tbsp warm water saffron threads
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 12 medium peeled shrimp
- 12 cleaned mussels
- 1/2 cup (75g) frozen peas
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- for serving lemon wedges
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 4 tbsp olive oil in a large paella pan or wide skillet over medium-high heat. Season 4 bone-in chicken thighs with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Brown chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until golden, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and add 1 chopped medium onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 sliced red bell pepper to the pan. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 1/2 cups short grain rice and 1 tsp smoked paprika, coating the rice with oil and vegetables for 2 minutes.
- Step 4: Pour in 4 cups warmed chicken broth and the saffron with its soaking water. Stir gently to distribute and bring to a simmer.
- Step 5: Nestle the browned chicken thighs back into the pan, cover partially with foil, and simmer for 15 minutes without stirring.
- Step 6: Add 12 peeled shrimp, 12 cleaned mussels, and 1/2 cup frozen peas evenly over the rice. Cover and cook for another 10 minutes until seafood is cooked through and rice is tender.
- Step 7: Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Chicken and Seafood Paella with Saffron take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pan Chicken and Seafood Paella with Saffron?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Chicken and Seafood Paella with Saffron?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pan Chicken and Seafood Paella with Saffron for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Pan Chicken and Seafood Paella with Saffron?
Spanish seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
