Saffron-Infused Seafood Paella with Bell Peppers and Peas
A vibrant Spanish paella featuring saffron-scented rice, fresh seafood, colorful bell peppers, and sweet peas cooked to perfection in one pan. This spanish-inspired seafood ready in about 55 minutes pairs olive oil, chicken broth, saffron threads for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, 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
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp saffron threads
- 1 1/2 cups short-grain rice
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
- 1 medium, diced green bell pepper
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 medium, finely chopped tomato
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 12 large, peeled and deveined shrimp
- 1 lb, cleaned mussels
- 1 lb, cleaned clams
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
- for serving lemon wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, steep 1/2 tsp saffron threads in 1/4 cup warm chicken broth for 10 minutes to release color and aroma.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large paella pan or wide skillet over medium heat. Add 1 diced yellow onion, 1 diced red bell pepper, and 1 diced green bell pepper; sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 3: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 finely chopped tomato; cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 1/2 cups short-grain rice and 1 tsp smoked paprika; stir to coat the rice grains with oil and vegetables.
- Step 5: Pour in 4 cups chicken broth including the saffron-infused broth, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir once, then simmer uncovered over medium-low heat without stirring for 15 minutes.
- Step 6: Arrange 12 shrimp, 1 lb mussels, and 1 lb clams evenly on top of the rice. Sprinkle 1 cup frozen peas over the top. Cover loosely with foil and cook for an additional 10 minutes until seafood shells open and rice is tender.
- Step 7: Remove from heat, discard any unopened shells. Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Saffron-Infused Seafood Paella with Bell Peppers and Peas take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 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 Seafood Paella with Bell Peppers and Peas?
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 Saffron-Infused Seafood Paella with Bell Peppers and Peas?
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 Seafood Paella with Bell Peppers and Peas for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Seafood Paella with Bell Peppers and Peas?
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.
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