Why This Recipe Works

This classic saffron-scented rice dish from Valencia, Spain, with its signature crispy bottom crust and a melange of proteins, often contains a laundry list of ingredients, requires special equipment (a traditional, shallow Paella pan), and is meant to serve a crowd. To make paella for two people, we found some shortcuts. First, we used a 12-inch nonstick skillet, which is wide enough yet shallow enough to get the proper crust. To season the paella, we turn to smoked paprika, garlic, tomato paste, and white wine. To pare down the ingredient list, we opted for chorizo, chicken, and shrimp and made the recipe work with traditional Valencia rice or the more widely available Arborio rice. We discovered that browning the chicken and shrimp wasn’t necessary and nestled the chicken in with the rice, adding the shrimp to the skillet for the last few minutes of cooking.

Before You Begin

Spanish varieties of rice, while traditional in paella, are sometimes difficult to find, which is why we offer the more widely available Arborio rice as a substitute. Each type of rice requires a slightly different amount of liquid, so note the difference in the recipe. Make sure to use cured Spanish chorizo, not the fresh Mexican sausage, here.

Instructions

Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion and cook until lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in wine, tomato paste, garlic, paprika, and bay leaf and cook until liquid evaporates and mixture looks oily, 2 to 4 minutes.

Stir in rice and cook until grains are well coated with tomato mixture, about 1 minute. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Stir in broth (2½ cups for Valencia rice, 2¾ cups for Arborio); chorizo; saffron, if using; chicken; and ⅛ teaspoon salt.

Bring to strong simmer and continue to cook, uncovered, over medium heat until liquid level falls just below surface of rice but paella still looks wet, 10 to 14 minutes. (After first 5 minutes of simmering, do not stir or paella will become starchy.)

Season shrimp with salt and pepper and nestle halfway into rice. Continue to cook until shrimp are mostly pink and all liquid has been absorbed, 4 to 7 minutes longer (paella will crackle and pop when liquid is absorbed).

To develop crust (socarrat) on bottom of paella, continue to cook until crackling and popping sounds become more pronounced, while occasionally rotating skillet over heat for even browning, 3 to 5 minutes. At this point, shrimp should be almost completely pink and paella should look dry on top.

Remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 3 minutes. Discard bay leaf. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve with lemon wedges and drizzle with extra oil.