Easy Chicken Paella

Step 1

To a large skillet (15+ inches in diameter if possible) or paella pan, add 2 tablespoons olive oil, onion, pepper, and sauté over medium-high heat until vegetables begin to soften and lightly caramelize, about 5 to 8 minutes; stir intermittently.

Step 2

Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute; stir intermittently. Remove the sofrito (the onion, pepper, and garlic) from the pan; set aside.

Step 3

Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook the chicken until it’s about 50% cooked through, stirring and flipping intermittently. Remove from the pan; set aside with the sofrito.

Step 4

Add the rice and cook to toast the rice for about 3 minutes, stirring intermittently.

Step 5

To the chicken broth, add 1 packet Paellero, and stir to combine. Add the chicken broth to the rice.

Step 6

Add the sofrito and chicken back to the skillet, add the tomatoes, 1 cup water, and simmer over medium-low heat for about 20 to 25 minutes or until rice is tender, chicken is cooked through, and liquid is absorbed. If necessary, you may need to add more than 1 cup water (or chicken broth) based on the texture of the rice. Taste it near the end of the cooking period and if it’s too firm and all the liquid is absorbed or nearly so, add a bit more water using your judgment.

Step 7

Add the peas, parsley, stir to combine, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes to warm through.

Step 8

Taste the paella and add salt and pepper, if necessary, to taste. The saltiness of the chicken broth, tomatoes, whether you used Paellero, and personal preference for salt and pepper will dictate how much to use. I used about 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper.

Step 9

Garnish with lemon wedges and serve immediately. Paella will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months.