Easy Paella
A flavorful and hearty Spanish-inspired rice dish featuring sausage, chicken, vegetables, and spices, perfect for a comforting family meal or casual gathering.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb. Italian sausage links ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. olive or salad oil ⓘ
- 6 large chicken drumsticks ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz.) can stewed tomatoes ⓘ
- 2/3 c. regular rice ⓘ
- 1 medium green pepper, cut in strips ⓘ
- 1 small onion, sliced ⓘ
- 1 garlic clove, very thinly sliced ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. ground red pepper ⓘ
- 1/2 c. frozen peas ⓘ
Instructions
- Remove meat from sausage casings.
- In a 12-inch skillet over medium heat, cook sausage and chicken drumsticks in hot oil, stirring to break it up.
- Spoon off all but 1 tablespoon of drippings from the skillet.
- Add sliced onion, green pepper strips, and sliced garlic to the skillet; cook until vegetables are tender.
- Stir in rice, stewed tomatoes, salt, and ground red pepper; cook for a few minutes.
- Add frozen peas and continue cooking until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
- Serve hot.
Tips & Substitutions
For a flavor boost, consider adding saffron or smoked paprika to the rice while cooking. If you don’t have Italian sausage, chorizo or any other spicy sausage can be a great substitute. You can also replace the chicken drumsticks with boneless chicken thighs for quicker cooking. Fresh herbs like parsley can enhance the dish's freshness.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this easy paella with a side of crusty bread or a simple green salad to balance the flavors. A light, citrusy vinaigrette can enhance the meal. For a delightful pairing, consider serving it alongside Lemon Garlic Chicken Or Veal for a Mediterranean feast.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of water or broth to the skillet and warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally. This helps prevent the rice from drying out and keeps the dish moist.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Easy Paella contains roughly 672 calories, with 38g protein, 50g carbohydrates, and 35g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (76% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (40% of the Daily Value), and iron (26% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2939mg per serving (128% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, you can use brown rice, but keep in mind it will require a longer cooking time and more liquid. Adjust the cooking time to about 40-45 minutes, ensuring the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
What can I add for more vegetables?
You can add a variety of vegetables such as zucchini, artichokes, or even green beans to enhance the nutritional value. Just make sure to adjust cooking times based on the vegetables you choose to add.
Is it possible to make this paella vegetarian?
Absolutely! You can omit the sausage and chicken, and replace them with more vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, and peas. Use vegetable broth instead of water for cooking the rice to infuse more flavor.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).