Mexican-Style Seafood Paella
Ingredients
- 2 cups Mahatma® Valencia Short Grain Rice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into large chunks
- 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper
- 2 cured chorizo sausages, chopped
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and diced
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
- 4 1/2 cups sodium-reduced chicken broth
- 2 chipotles in adobo, minced
- 4 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 lb mussels, cleaned
- 12 oz peeled deveined shrimp, tail removed
- 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
Spanish paella meets Tex-Mex flavors in this tasty twist on a classic.
Step 1
Heat oil in large high-sided skillet set over medium heat; cook chicken, salt and pepper for 3 to 5 minutes or until starting to brown. Transfer to plate.
Step 2
Stir in chorizo, onion, garlic, bell pepper and jalapeños for 3 to 5 minutes or until softened. Stir in rice, cumin and oregano; cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until well coated.
Step 3
Stir in tomatoes, broth, chipotles and turmeric; bring to boil. Return chicken to pan. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook for 12 to 15 minutes.
Step 4
Nestle mussels and shrimp on top of rice; cook for 10 to 12 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed, rice is tender, chicken and shrimp are cooked through, and mussels are opened.
Step 5
Discard any mussels that have not opened. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve with lime wedges.
Recipe Tips:
Scrub mussels and remove any beards. Before cooking, discard any mussels with cracked shells or any mussels that do not close when tapped.
Mexican Flavor Medley
One-pot meals are some of our favorites and a tasty paella is no exception. This delicious recipe veers a bit from a traditional Spanish paella by using ingredients more typical of Mexican cuisine including red peppers, jalapeños, chipotle, cilantro, and lime. This paella recipe takes on Tex-Mex flavors perfectly and is sure to be a fast favorite. With spices like cumin, oregano, and turmeric, it manages to tastefully bring shrimp, mussels, chorizo, and chicken together for a medley of bold and delectable flavors.
Whether you’re craving chicken, pork, seafood, vegetables, or a little bit of everything like in this recipe, you can be sure that a paella is always a great option. It’s perfect for feeding several people and one-pot meals make for easier after-dinner cleanup. Try some of our favorites like this Traditional Paella with Chorizo & Shrimp, this Vegetarian Paella, or a Mexican rice casserole.
The Right Rice
Choosing the right kind of grains can make all the difference in any of your favorite rice dishes. From risotto to fried rice to a fresh rice salad, using the appropriate rice is key! For the perfect paella every time, use Mahatma® Valencia Short Grain Rice. This medium grain rice is specially designed for paella because when cooked, it remains compact and absorbs all of the delicious flavors from the other ingredients in your dish for a truly flavorful result. If you are in need of a quick side dish try our: coconut jasmine rice recipe.