Spanish-Style Garlic Shrimp Paella
A rich and aromatic paella with saffron-infused rice, tender shrimp, and smoky chorizo. This spanish-inspired mediterranean ready in about 45 minutes pairs short-grain rice, shrimp, chorizo for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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
- 2 cups short-grain rice
- 1 lb shrimp
- 1/2 lb chorizo
- 1/2 cup onion
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 cup tomato
- 1 tsp saffron threads
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large paella pan over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup diced onion and 4 minced garlic cloves; sauté for 3 minutes until translucent. Add 1/2 lb chorizo, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds, and cook for 5 minutes until browned.
- Step 2: Stir in 1 cup diced tomato and 1 tsp saffron threads soaked in 1/2 cup warm water. Cook for 5 minutes until tomatoes break down. Add 2 cups rice, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 cup white wine. Stir to combine.
- Step 3: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Add 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined, and cook for 3-4 minutes until pink and opaque.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spanish-Style Garlic Shrimp Paella take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 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 Spanish-Style Garlic Shrimp Paella?
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 short-grain rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spanish-Style Garlic Shrimp Paella?
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 Spanish-Style Garlic Shrimp Paella 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 Spanish-Style Garlic Shrimp Paella?
Spanish mediterranean 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
- ★★☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
