Maria's Signature Paella
This Catalan-style paella combines chicken thighs, calamari, shrimp, clams, and sea scallops with long-grain rice flavored by saffron, garlic, crushed tomatoes, and sweet bell peppers. Peas and lemon add fresh contrast to the rich, colorful dish, making it a fitting centerpiece for a festive family meal or seafood-focused gathering.
- Prep30 mins
- Cook40 mins
- Serves6
- DifficultyMedium
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Maria's Signature Paella, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 55 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 10 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityGood
- 90 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Unprocessed or minimally processed
- 1 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 40
- Heart Health
- 41
- Metabolic
- 57
- Digestive
- 34
- Inflammatory
- 45
- Performance
- 58
- General Wellness
- 1
Heat olive oil in a very large skillet or paella pan over medium-high heat until it begins to smoke. Sear chicken thighs, skin-side down, in hot oil until golden brown on both sides, about 5 minutes. Remove chicken thighs to a plate and set aside.
- 2
Stir onion and garlic into drippings in the skillet. Cook and stir until onion is softened and translucent, about 1 minute. Add calamari, small shrimp, and bell peppers; cook and stir for 2 minutes.
- 3
Stir in water, rice, tomatoes, peas, saffron, and salt until well combined. Return chicken thighs to the skillet; simmer over medium-high heat for 15 minutes, stirring frequently to make sure rice does not stick.
- 4
Arrange the clams and jumbo shrimp decoratively in the rice and chicken mixture. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes. Place scallops into paella. Continue simmering, covered, until rice is tender and scallops are firm and opaque, about 5 minutes. Garnish with lemon wedges to serve.
- 5
Cook and stir until the onion is softened and translucent, about 1 minute.
- 6
Add the calamari, small shrimp, and bell peppers; cook and stir for 2 minutes.
- 7
Stir in the water, rice, tomatoes, peas, saffron, and salt until well combined.
- 8
Return the chicken thighs to the skillet; simmer over medium-high heat for 15 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent the rice from sticking.
- 9
Arrange the clams and jumbo shrimp decoratively into the rice-chicken mixture.
- 10
Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- 11
Place the scallops into the paella.
- 12
Continue simmering, covered, until the rice is tender and the scallops are firm and opaque, about 5 minutes.
- 13
Garnish with lemon wedges to serve.
- Calories 940.68 kcal High 47%
- Protein 38.31 g Good Source 77%
- Carbohydrate 120.26 g 44%
- Total Fat 35.52 g High 46%
- Saturated Fat 6.85 g High 34%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 164.7 mg High 55%
- Sodium 603.38 mg High 26%
- Dietary Fiber 14.97 g Good Source 53%
- Total Sugars 19.35 g --
- Added Sugars 10.04 g High 20%
- Calcium 122.89 mg Low Source 9%
- Iron 10.19 mg Good Source 57%
- Potassium 827.5 mg Moderate 18%
- Vitamin A 44.52 mcg Low Source 5%
- Vitamin C 88.25 mg Good Source 98%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Citrus 🍊
- Shellfish 🦐
- Fish 🐟
- Tomatoes 🍅
- Garlic 🧄
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Maria's Signature Paella is a Spanish dinner recipe made with 21 ingredients. It takes about 1 hr 10 mins, serves 6, and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Calamari, Chicken Thigh, Clam, and Crushed Tomatoes. Each serving provides about 940.68 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Maria's Signature Paella?
- It is a Spanish paella recipe made with 21 ingredients, usually served for dinner or lunch.
- What is Maria's Signature Paella made of?
- The main ingredients are Calamari, Chicken Thigh, Clam, Crushed Tomatoes, Diced Onion. The full list of 21 is above.
- What goes well with Maria's Signature Paella?
- Explore these Spanish side-dish recipes.
- How long does it take to make Maria's Signature Paella?
- About 1 hr 10 mins in total: 30 mins to prepare and 40 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 940.68 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Maria's Signature Paella easy to make?
- This recipe is rated medium, with 21 ingredients and 13 steps.
- Is Maria's Signature Paella healthy?
- Maria's Signature Paella has an easyChef Pro health score of 49/100. Per serving, it provides 940.68 calories and 38.31 g of protein, or 77% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of dietary fiber, iron and vitamin C. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 603.38 mg (26% of the Daily Value), saturated fat at 6.85 g (34% of the Daily Value) and added sugars at 10.04 g (20% of the Daily Value). It contains Citrus, Shellfish, Fish, Tomatoes, Garlic and Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
How easyChef Pro scores recipes and products
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