The best chicken paella to share
Paella is a typical dish of Spanish gastronomy, but when combining chicken meat, it is even more delicious. Although chicken paella is a variation of the original dish, this in itself is very popular, which is why it is common to see it on the menus of all types of Spanish restaurants.
Although this dish is simple and quick to prepare for a special lunch or dinner with your friends or family, it has some tricks to make it perfect. Therefore, below we will explain not only its preparation, but also some additional tips.
Ingredients of the paella with chicken (for 2 people)
Half a glass of white wine.
A glass of white rice.
Chicken broth to taste.
A pinch of saffron
Peas, (the amount you consider necessary).
Sweet paprika powder.
Olive oil, (the amount you think is necessary).
Half a green pepper.
Half a red pepper.
A lemon.
Two tomatoes.
Half an onion.
A little more than a quarter of a kilo of chicken chopped into pieces and washed.
Two cloves of garlic.
A saffron envelope.
Salt and pepper to taste.
Recommendations and tips for a perfect paella
From the amount of rice you add, you should then add half of the liquid chicken broth.
If you buy the fresh peas, it is best to add them after adding the chicken broth so that it cooks with the rice, but if it is canned, you can add it last. If you don't do this, the peas will be tough.
Once the paella has been removed to mix it with the salt, let the rice cook without stirring until it is almost done.
If you like, you can add pieces of smoked ham, as this complements the flavor of the paella very well.
You can add some aromatic herbs such as mint, basil, coriander or parsley to garnish when serving the paella dish, as this provides a pleasant smell and sight.
Don't skimp on using other types of condiments like thyme or curry for seasoning.
If you can't find white wine, you can also add silly wine, although this will leave the rice a little darker. Another option can be a little sherry.
If you want to make this recipe for more than two people, only add half of these amounts.
Steps for making paella
Note: Due to the length of this recipe, we will divide the execution into several phases for a better understanding.
Preparation of the dressings
The first thing we will do is take one of water and place it to boil in a saucepan. Once it boils, add the tomatoes and leave there for a few seconds, then remove, drain and remove the skin. We reserve the tomatoes without skin.
Cut the peppers into strips.
In a paella pan, add enough olive oil and let it heat over medium heat until the oil is very hot. Next, add the peppers and fry for a few minutes. We booked.
Peel and cut the garlic and onion into small slices and pour them into the pan where you sautéed the peppers so that they are also fried.
Take the tomatoes without skin and cut them into small cubes and add to the pan.
Let all this sauté until you notice that the tomato is completely undone.
Add half a tablespoon of sweet paprika and stir to blend.
Chicken preparation
Season the chicken meat to taste and let it rest for a few minutes covered.
After a few minutes, add the chicken meat to the pan where the dressings are sautéed, stir for a couple more minutes so that the chicken is cooked superficially.
When you notice that the chicken is golden, add about 20 ml or half a glass of white wine and cover so that the wine is completely consumed.
Add the rice to the paella
Add the rice, specifically 240 ml of a glass measure, to the pan and then add an envelope of saffron and stir for a few minutes so that the rice is slightly sautéed.
Once the rice is fried, add the liquid chicken broth, applying double the amount used for the rice.
Add a pinch of salt to taste. Stir well so that everything integrates perfectly.
Once 15 minutes have passed, add the peppers when the paella is almost ready and if you like to add a few tablespoons of corn kernels. However, the latter is optional.
Remove the paella from the heat and let it rest for approximately 15 minutes, covering it with a clean, dry kitchen towel.
Serve the paella and enjoy
While the rice is resting, take a lemon and cut it into four parts. Reservation.
Once the paella has settled, take a large ladle of rice and serve it on a flat plate and to garnish, place two lemon quarters on the side to garnish.
Bring to the table and share.
Can I keep leftover paella in the refrigerator?
The paella can be stored in the refrigerator to warm up when you get ready to eat it again. However, it will be able to be eaten for a maximum of 2 days.
After this time, if you smell it, and it has a strong odor or the rice looks a bit slimy, it is best to discard it. If it still looks and smells good, heat it well before eating, preferably on the stove.
Conclusions of this recipe
When you consume this paella, you will notice that the chicken and rice have managed to perfectly absorb the taste and smell of the dressings and condiments. In addition, it is ideal to complement with pieces of banquet bread or fried bread.
Another good complement is French fries or a fresh green salad. As for the drink, do not hesitate to accompany it with a glass of red wine or sherry. We urge you to try to prepare this recipe, which is the simplest version of Spanish gastronomy.