CHICKEN, CHORIZO, & SHRIMP PAELLA

chorizo

🥗Healthier: turkey sausage

💰Cheaper: smoked sausage

Turkey sausage reduces fat while maintaining flavor.

shrimp

🥗Healthier: chicken breast

💰Cheaper: canned tuna

Canned tuna is a budget-friendly protein alternative.

paella rice

🥗Healthier: quinoa

💰Cheaper: long-grain rice

Quinoa provides a nutritious alternative while long-grain rice is more economical.

saffron

🥗Healthier: turmeric

💰Cheaper: paprika

Turmeric adds color and flavor at a lower cost.

Marinate 2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken thighs in olive oil, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning blend, turmeric, and coriander for a couple of hours.

Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a pan and add the marinated chicken thighs to brown them.

Once browned, scoop the chicken out and transfer it to a bowl.

Add 9-10 ounces of ground chorizo to the same pan and let it brown, no additional oil needed due to the fat content.

After about 5 minutes, add 1 yellow onion, 1 red bell pepper, and 1 green bell pepper to the pan and sauté for about 10 minutes until soft.

Add 4 cloves of minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Stir in 6 ounces of tomato paste and mix well with the vegetables and chorizo.

Add 1.5 cups of short grain rice to the pan and toast it briefly before adding seasonings.

Mix in a seasoning blend of half a teaspoon each of salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, coriander, Italian seasoning blend, and turmeric.

Add saffron threads to the mixture for flavor.

Pour in 3 cups of homemade chicken stock and bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to a low simmer for 15-20 minutes until liquid evaporates.

After 15 minutes, remove the lid and add a 12-ounce bag of frozen peas, mixing them in.

Place 1 pound of peeled and deveined shrimp throughout the mixture and press them in slightly.

Sprinkle some smoked paprika over the top and cover for an additional 5 minutes to cook the shrimp.

Squeeze juice from half a lemon over the dish, catching any seeds.

Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens