Paella Valenciana

(1)

A more traditional take on this paella, from the region of Spain where the dish originated, would include rabbit and chicken, but this recipe only calls for easier-to-find chicken thighs. If you want, substitute 1 rabbit (3 1/2 pounds) cut into 2-inch chunks for half the chicken. If you can't find cranberry beans, double the limas.

Paella Valenciana
Photo: Angie Mosier
Active Time:
40 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 25 mins
Servings:
8

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

  • 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided

  • 1 cup Romano beans (see Tip) or green beans, trimmed and sliced

  • ¼ cup fresh shelled cranberry beans

  • ¼ cup lima beans (fresh or frozen)

  • ¾ cup grated plum tomato, skin discarded (3 tomatoes)

  • 1 tablespoon smoked sweet paprika

  • 7 cups low-sodium chicken broth, divided

  • Large pinch of saffron threads

  • 1 ½ cups Valencian bomba rice (see Tip)

  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary

  • Lemon wedges for serving

Directions

  1. Preheat a gas grill to medium-high or build a fire in a charcoal grill and let it burn down to medium-high heat (about 425°F).

  2. Heat a 12- to 14-inch paella pan or cast-iron skillet on the grill for 3 minutes. Add oil and heat for 1 minute. Season chicken with 1/4 teaspoon salt and add to the pan, skin-side down. Cook until browned, about 6 minutes.

  3. Flip the chicken and push the pieces toward the edges, leaving an empty space in the middle. Add Romano (or green) beans, cranberry beans and lima beans to the middle and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add tomato, smoked paprika and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in 6 cups broth, saffron and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes.

  4. Add rice, pouring it in a line down the center of the pan. Stir gently to distribute the ingredients evenly and mix them into the broth. Cook, without stirring, for 9 minutes. Add rosemary sprigs and the remaining 1 cup broth. Continue cooking until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender, about 9 minutes more. (If the liquid is gone and the rice tastes underdone, add a little water and cook a little longer.)

  5. Remove from heat and discard the rosemary. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with lemon wedges, if desired.

Tip

A long, flat Italian cousin to string beans, Romano beans can be 6 inches-plus in length and as wide as two to three string beans. Because of their size, they cook equally as well on the grill or under the broiler as they do in boiling water. Find them at farmers' markets this time of year or occasionally in the freezer aisle.

Track down bomba rice at well-stocked supermarkets or check tienda.com or Amazon. (Medium-grain white rice makes a decent substitute.)

Originally appeared: EatingWell Magazine, July/August 2021

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

406 Calories
17g Fat
31g Carbs
32g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Serving Size 3 oz. chicken & about 1 cup rice
Calories 406
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 31g 11%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 32g 64%
Total Fat 17g 22%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 81mg 27%
Vitamin A 710IU 14%
Sodium 425mg 18%
Potassium 544mg 12%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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