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How to make a traditional chorizo and seafood paella
The Kitchen

How to make a traditional chorizo and seafood paella

This seafood paella recipe is loaded with traditional Spanish flavours of chorizo and seafood, served in a deliciously spiced rice broth.

By Test Kitchen · 27 Aug 2026 · Spain · 2 min ·
Ingredients · Servings 6
  • Seafood paella
  • 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) boiling water
  • 1/3 cup (80ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 (300g) spicy chorizo sausages, sliced
  • 3 green chillies, seeded, chopped
  • 3 clove garlic, chopped
  • 2 medium (340g) red onions, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 cup (125ml) fino sherry
  • 1/2 cup (250g) chopped roasted red capsicum
  • 400 gram calasparra or arborio rice
  • 1.5 litre (6 cups) salt-reduced chicken stock
  • 1 kilogram mussels, cleaned
  • 12 green king prawns, peeled, de-veined
  • 1 cup loosely packed coriander sprigs
  • 1/4 cup loosely packed mint leaves
  • lemon wedges, to serve
Method · 50 min
  1. Put saffron threads in a small bowl and cover with boiling water. Set to one side.
  2. Heat oil in a large deep frying pan or paella pan over high heat, add chorizo and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the chillies, garlic, onion and paprika. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until onion is soft. Add sherry, simmer for 1 minute.
  3. Add capsicum and rice, stir for 3 minutes, then add half the stock and the saffron water. Cook over a medium heat for 10 minutes. Stir the rice a little, then add remaining stock. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
  4. Scatter seafood over the top and continue to cook until all the mussels have opened, then rest, covered, for 5 minutes.
  5. Scatter fresh herbs over seafood paella. Add lemon wedges to dish. Serve.

Looking for an easy paella or more Spanish recipes?

Seafood paella

Put saffron threads in a small bowl and cover with boiling water.

Set to one side. Heat oil in a large deep frying pan or paella pan over high heat, add chorizo and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.

Add the chillies, garlic, onion and paprika. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until onion is soft.

Add sherry, simmer for 1 minute. Add capsicum and rice, stir for 3 minutes, then add half the stock and the saffron water.

Cook over a medium heat for 10 minutes. Stir the rice a little, then add remaining stock.

Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Scatter seafood over the top and continue to cook until all the mussels have opened, then rest, covered, for 5 minutes.

Scatter fresh herbs over seafood paella. Add lemon wedges to dish.

Serve. Can I freeze the seafood paella? No, this paella is not suitable to freeze.

Where can I find Fino sherry? Fino is a dry variety of sherry.

It is available at good bottle shops. What is paella?

Originating in Valencia, Spain, this vibrant, versatile dish is always a crowd-pleaser. Think fluffy, fragrant rice teamed with a variety of seafood, chicken and chorizo, all simmered to perfection in a large pan!

This traditional Spanish rice and seafood dish is packed full of flavour, and paella is beautiful enjoyed straight from the pan with a side of wine for a delicious weekend dinner.

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