CHICKEN PAELLA (DETAILED RECIPE)

Paella is a Spanish rice dish made using meat, vegetables and seasoning. There are several variations of Paella depending on the ingredients used and this is a very simple and easy to cook Paella made using Chicken meat. You can try this when you wish to try something new. I have already shared this recipe, but this is a more detailed post with step by step photos.

Serves: 6

Ingredients

250 gms boneless chicken pieces cut into small pieces

3 cups rice

3 tomatoes chopped

3 capsicums chopped (green, yellow or red)

1 1/2 tbsp pepper powder

1 1/2 tbsp garlic paste

2 tsp salt

Oil for frying

Coriander leaves

Method

Wash and soak rice in water for about half an hour. Clean the chicken pieces and wash several times with water. Pat dry using a towel and keep ready. Chop the capsicums and tomatoes and keep this ready as well. Then heat oil in a frying pan and deep fry (or shallow fry) the chicken pieces till they turn golden in colour.

Next boil 8 cups of water in another pan with 1/2 tsp salt. When it has started boiling, add the fried chicken pieces. Leave it to cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Meanwhile, heat 3 to 4 tbsp oil in a wide bottomed pan or kadai and add capsicums. Stir fry for a few minutes and then using a spatula, transfer the capsicums to a plate. (We will add this to the pan later; this is done to prevent the capsicums from getting soggy). In the same pan, now add the tomatoes and cook for a minute. Next add garlic paste and saute till the raw smell goes.

Now carefully add the boiling water along with the chicken pieces to the pan. Next add rice and capsicums and mix well. Finally add pepper powder and 1 1/2 tsp salt and stir well. (Optional: 1 tbsp lime juice can also be added).

Allow the paella to cook until most of the water has evaporated. If necessary add some more water. Then reduce heat, close a lid and cook for a few more minutes till the rice is cooked. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.