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Paella from Mary Beth
This simplified paella recipe is a hearty one-pan dish combining chicken, shrimp, rice, and vegetables for a colorful and satisfying meal. Inspired by the traditional Spanish paella, this version omits saffron and seafood stock but keeps the spirit of the dish alive with bright bell peppers, garlic, and juicy tomatoes. It’s an approachable take on a global classic, easy enough for weekday meals but celebratory enough for special occasions.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine European
Servings 6
Calories 440 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb skinless chicken breasts (chopped)
  • 1 onion (medium, chopped)
  • 1 red bell pepper (chopped)
  • 1 green bell pepper (chopped)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 lb cooked (shelled shrimp)
  • 3 cups cooked rice
  • salt (to taste)
  • pepper (to taste)
  • 1 can corn
  • 4 oz pimentos (, drained)
  • 2 fresh tomatoes (quartered)

Instructions
 

Step 1: Brown Chicken

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet or paella pan over medium heat.
  • Add chicken and brown on all sides, about 5–7 minutes.

Step 2: Sauté Vegetables

  • Add chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes.
  • Add red and green peppers and cook another 3–4 minutes.
  • Stir in minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.

Step 3: Combine & Season

  • Add shrimp, cooked rice, salt, pepper, and corn.
  • Stir everything together and heat through, about 5 minutes.

Step 4: Add Finishing Touches

  • Gently fold in pimentos.
  • Top with quartered tomatoes.
  • Cover and let sit off heat for 5–10 minutes before serving.

Tips

  • Use leftover rotisserie chicken to save time.
  • Substitute brown rice, adjusting cook time as needed.
  • Add peas for extra color and sweetness.
  • Include smoked paprika or saffron for deeper flavor.
  • Swap shrimp for mussels or clams if preferred.
  • Cook everything in a cast iron skillet for best browning.
  • Make it spicier with a pinch of crushed red pepper.
  • Add a squeeze of lemon just before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 440kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 36gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 104mgSodium: 970mgPotassium: 912mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1741IUVitamin C: 91mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 2mg
Keyword family dinner, one-pan meal, paella, rice dish, shrimp and chicken, skillet dinner, vintage recipe
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