Easy Chicken Paella Recipe

Name: Easy Chicken Paella Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 Lb Chicken Thighs; 3 Tablespoons Oil; Salt/Pepper; 1 Sweet Onion ((chopped)); 1 Red Bell Pepper ((seeded, chopped)); 1/2 Cup Spanish Rice; 3 Garlic Cloves ((finely chopped)); 1 Cup Crushed Tomatoes; 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika; 1/2 teaspoon Saffron; Salt/Pepper ((to taste)); 2 Cups Swanson® Chicken Broth**; 1 Cup Fresh Shelled Peas

ByNicole Harris April 16, 2026

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This post has been sponsored by Swanson®. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This Easy Chicken Paella Recipe is a one pan dinner that makes a great weeknight meal. Fewer than 10 ingredients, about a half an hour and dinner is served with a little Spanish flair.

Table of Contents

One Pan Chicken Paella

This paella recipe is a straight forward version of the favorite Spanish dish. Quick and easy enough for a weeknight dinner and requires only one pan. Less dishes to wash...Yay!

This recipe also only requires fewer than 10 ingredients, so you want to make sure you are getting good quality products. Swanson® Broth is America's #1 broth for a reason. I use Swanson® Chicken Broth to add flavor, depth and character to this meal. Not only is Swanson® Broth 100% natural, it is versatile and convenient.

Find even more ways to use your Swanson® Broth at Swanson Recipes.

How Do You Make Paella

Brown the chicken. Set aside.
Sauté onion and peppers then add rice and garlic.
Add tomatoes, spices and Swanson® Chicken Broth. Cover and cook for `15-20 minutes (without stirring) until liquid is absorbed.
Add in fresh peas and return chicken to pan.
Turn the burner to high for a minute, turn it off and leave the pan on the burner for several minutes. This is a little bit of a cheater way to get that crisp bottom. Just be careful not to burn it.
Serve with fresh parsley and lemon wedges.

What Is Paella and Where Is It From

Typically paella begins with Spanish rice, meat, green beans or peas, and spices. You can add or subtract to your preferences. This Chicken Paella Recipe also includes a tomato base, onions, peppers and paprika.

Paella originates from Valencia, Spain. This recipe is not an authentic Valencian paella as that involves beans, rosemary, rabbit and sometimes snails.

What Is The Best Rice To Use For Paella

Short round grain white rice is essential to the dish. I go as far as ordering authentic Spanish rice because it is high quality and lasts quite awhile since a little bit goes a long way. Please note that if using a different variety of rice than listed in this recipe, you may need to adjust the amount of liquid.

What Is The Crispy Rice In Paella Called

Socarrat. It is the crispy bottom on the paella dish and it is the treasured bite. This is why we try not to stir this dish (think the opposite of risotto). At the very end I crank up the burner to high for a minute, turn it off and leave the pan on the burner for several minutes. This is a little bit of a cheater way to get that crisp bottom. Just be careful not to burn it.

What Ingredients Do You Need To Make Paella

Chicken Thighs
Oil
Sweet Onion
Red Bell Pepper
Spanish Rice
Garlic
Crushed Tomatoes
Smoked Paprika
Saffron
Swanson® Chicken Broth
Fresh Shelled Peas

easy chicken paella recipe photo collage

Welcome!

Nicole Harris is the recipe creator behind WonkyWonderful, sharing fast, budget-friendly meals for busy families. Since 2012 she’s been developing 30-minute dinners, kid-approved favorites, and holiday dishes with flair - all with real ingredients and no fuss. She grew up stretching simple pantry staples into something delicious, and that shows up in every recipe: easy, affordable, and full of flavor. Read more...