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Home » Dinner » Seafood Paella

December 9, 2020 By Sara 10 Comments

Seafood Paella

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This seafood paella is a blend of saffron rice, Spanish chorizo, shrimp, clams and mussels, all simmered together.

This seafood paella is a blend of saffron rice, Spanish chorizo, shrimp, clams and mussels, all simmered together to create an easy and satisfying one pot meal. This dinner is quick enough to make on a busy weeknight, yet elegant enough to serve to company.

When I’m in the mood for a taste of the sea, I make some of my favorite dishes including seafood boil, garlic butter crab legs and this fresh and colorful seafood paella.

This seafood paella is a blend of saffron rice, Spanish chorizo, shrimp, clams and mussels, all simmered together. This seafood paella is a blend of saffron rice, Spanish chorizo, shrimp, clams and mussels, all simmered together.

Seafood paella with shrimp, shellfish and sausage.

What are the main ingredients in paella?

There are many different versions of paella, but they all have the same basic ingredient list.

  • Rice: Short grain rice is traditional in paella dishes. Bomba or Calasparra rice are the two most common Spanish varieties, and can be found in some larger grocery stores. If you can’t find either of these types of rice, substitute a different short grain rice such as Calrose or Arborio.
  • Protein: Most versions of paella contain some form of meat or seafood. The most common meat options include chicken, duck, rabbit and sausage such as chorizo. Seafood options include a variety of fish and shellfish.
  • Saffon: This is a spice that comes from crocus flowers and is the ingredient that turns the rice its characteristic golden hue and fragrant flavor and aroma. Saffron is expensive, but a little goes a long way and it’s crucial for an authentic dish.
  • Vegetables: Paella contains any number of veggies. The most common additions are onions, peas, red bell peppers and tomatoes.

A pot of broth with saffron threads in it.

How do you make seafood paella?

Start by steeping the saffron in hot chicken broth to release its flavors. Cook onion, garlic and red bell peppers in a large pan until the veggies are tender. Add the rice to the pan, along with the chicken broth. Cover the pot and cook over low heat for about 10 minutes. Add the chorizo, shrimp, mussels and clams to the rice mixture. Cover again, then cook for 15-20 minutes until shellfish have opened and shrimp are pink and opaque. Turn up the heat to let a crust form on the bottom of the rice. Add a handful of peas and a sprinkle of parsley, then serve and enjoy.

Red bell peppers and onions cooked in a pan.

Tips for the perfect dish

  • I like to use medium to large sized shrimp for this dish. You can use fresh or frozen shrimp, just make sure the shrimp are thawed.
  • You will know that the seafood is done when the clams and mussels have opened up. Discard any clams or mussels that stay closed after they’re cooked.
  • This dish is best served immediately after it’s prepared. Leftovers will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
  • Seafood paella works best with a large flat pan or a cast iron skillet.
  • The crispy bottom of the rice is called the socarrat, and it makes this recipe taste authentic.

Raw seafood on a bed of saffron rice.

Seafood paella flavor variations

While this dish is fabulous as-is, feel free to add other ingredients to customize the flavors to your tastes.

  • Sausage: If you can’t find traditional hard Spanish chorizo, you can substitute a smoked sausage such as kielbasa or an Italian style sausage.
  • Protein: You can use different types of protein including chicken thighs, calamari, pieces of fish or small lobster tails.
  • Vegetables: Add more veggies such as asparagus, artichoke, green beans or spinach.

A plate of seafood paella garnished with parsley.

When you want the flavors of Spain in the comfort of your own home, this paella is a must-make!

More seafood recipes you’ll love

  • Seafood Pasta
  • Bacon Wrapped Scallops
  • Grilled Lobster Tail
  • Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
  • Broiled Salmon

Seafood Paella Video

Seafood paella with shrimp, shellfish and sausage.
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5 from 8 votes

Seafood Paella

This seafood paella is a blend of saffron rice, Spanish chorizo, shrimp, clams and mussels, all simmered together to create an easy and satisfying one pot meal. This dinner is quick enough to make on a busy weeknight, yet elegant enough to serve to company.
Course Main
Cuisine Spanish
Keyword paella recipe, seafood paella
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 440kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup onion diced
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper peeled, cored and diced
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons garlic minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 1/4 cups short grain rice such as bomba, calasparra or arborio
  • 8 ounces Spanish chorizo sausage sliced
  • 12 ounces shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 8 ounces mussels cleaned
  • 12 ounces clams cleaned
  • 1/4 cup frozen peas thawed
  • 2 tablespoons parsley chopped
  • lemon wedges for garnish
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Pour the chicken broth into a pot and bring to a simmer. Stir in the saffron and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Remove the pot from the heat and let stand for 15 minutes.
  • Heat the olive oil in an extra large deep skillet or paella pan (14 inches or larger) over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper, then cook for 4-5 minutes or until softened. Add the garlic and smoked paprika, then cook for 30 seconds. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Pour in the chicken broth mixture and rice, and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook over low heat for 15 minutes.
  • Add the sausage, shrimp, mussels and clams to the pan. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until shrimp are pink and opaque and shellfish have opened. You may need to flip the shrimp halfway through so that they cook evenly. Turn the heat to high, and cook for 5 more minutes to form a crust on the bottom of the rice.
  • Remove the pan from the heat. Add the peas, then cover the pan for 5 minutes. Uncover the pan, add the parsley, then serve, garnished with lemon wedges if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 440kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 151mg | Sodium: 1410mg | Potassium: 420mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 686IU | Vitamin C: 42mg | Calcium: 114mg | Iron: 6mg

Filed Under: Dinner, One Pot Meals Tagged With: Rice, Seafood

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Comments

  1. Jacque Hooper says

    January 1, 2021 at 1:52 pm

    5 stars
    This was everything a gourmet meal should be, and then some! Easily, a new favorite dish; it was delicious!

    Reply
  2. Ashley F. says

    December 30, 2020 at 3:01 pm

    5 stars
    Super tasty! Love the chorizo in this with the shrimp!

    Reply
  3. Beth says

    December 30, 2020 at 2:53 pm

    5 stars
    This looks so delicious and tasty! My daughter and I are going to love this recipe! I can’t wait to give this a try!

    Reply
  4. Sandra says

    December 17, 2020 at 7:08 pm

    5 stars
    This is so flavorful!! Everyone at my house loved it!

    Reply
  5. Beth says

    December 17, 2020 at 12:05 pm

    5 stars
    You make such an elegant meal look so easy. Now if I can just find those saffron threads. Wish me luck!

    Reply
  6. Catalina says

    December 17, 2020 at 11:48 am

    5 stars
    I’ve tried seafood paella and I loved it! It’s great to make it at home!

    Reply
  7. Cathy says

    December 17, 2020 at 11:30 am

    This is perfect for dinner with friends!

    Reply
  8. Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says

    December 16, 2020 at 11:58 pm

    5 stars
    This seafood paella is absolutely delicious! Yummy!

    Reply
  9. Kimberly says

    December 16, 2020 at 5:27 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious and so perfect for entertaining friends and family!

    Reply
  10. Amanda says

    December 16, 2020 at 5:21 pm

    This is my kind of meal, everything looks fantastic!

    Reply

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