Saffron-Infused Chicken and Rice Paella with Roasted Red Peppers
A vibrant Spanish paella combining tender chicken, fragrant saffron, and roasted red peppers in a saffron-tinted rice base. This spanish-inspired chicken ready in about 55 minutes pairs bone-in, trimmed skin-on chicken thighs, (300 g) short grain rice, (960 ml), warm chicken stock for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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
- 600 g, bone-in, trimmed skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 1/2 cups (300 g) short grain rice
- 4 cups (960 ml), warm chicken stock
- 1/2 tsp, steeped in 2 tbsp warm water saffron threads
- 1 cup, sliced into strips roasted red peppers
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium, finely chopped onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- for serving lemon wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large paella pan or wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add 600 g skin-on chicken thighs and brown on both sides for 6-8 minutes until golden, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium finely chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pan, sautéing for 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 1/2 cups short grain rice, coating the grains in the oil and spices for 2 minutes.
- Step 4: Pour in 4 cups warm chicken stock and the saffron threads steeped in 2 tbsp warm water, stirring gently. Arrange the browned chicken thighs and 1 cup sliced roasted red peppers on top.
- Step 5: Simmer uncovered over medium heat for 18-20 minutes without stirring, until the rice is tender and liquid absorbed, and a golden crust forms on the bottom.
- Step 6: Remove from heat, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle 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 Saffron-Infused Chicken and Rice Paella with Roasted Red Peppers take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 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 Saffron-Infused Chicken and Rice Paella with Roasted Red Peppers?
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 (300 g) short grain rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Saffron-Infused Chicken and Rice Paella with Roasted Red Peppers?
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 Saffron-Infused Chicken and Rice Paella with Roasted Red Peppers 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 Saffron-Infused Chicken and Rice Paella with Roasted Red Peppers?
Spanish chicken 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.
