Alton Brown Paella Recipe - Delish Sides (2024)

Alton Brown’s Paella is a colorful charcoal-cooked dish that consists of rich flavors of saffron, chicken, and vegetables and takes 1 hour and 30 minutes to be ready!

Try More Alton Brown Recipes:

  • Alton Brown Garden Vegetable Soup
  • Alton Brown Peanut Brittle
  • Alton Brown Fish Chips
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🧡 Why You’ll Love This Paella Recipe:

  • Charcoal-grilled chicken adds smoky depth.
  • Saffron-infused rice yields aromatic delight.
  • Fresh veggies lend vibrant color and texture.
  • Cooking outdoors enhances the culinary experience.

❓ What Is Alton Brown Paella Recipe?

The Paellaby Alton Brownis a delectable combination of smoky chicken, rice that has been infused with saffron, and colorful vegetables that are cooked over charcoal.

Alton Brown Paella Recipe - Delish Sides (1)

🍚 Alton Brown Paella Ingredients

  • 1 pound tomatoes
  • 9 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 cups short- or medium-grain rice
  • 20 threads saffron
  • 2 sprigs rosemary, leaves stripped from sprigs
  • 3 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  • 1 teaspoon smoked sweet paprika
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 pounds chicken thighs and legs, bone-in, skin-on
  • 8 ounces fresh green beans, trimmed and halved
  • 1 cup chopped red bell pepper
  • 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

🥘 How To Make Alton Brown Paella

  1. Place 4 or 5 pieces of newspaper in the bottom of a charcoal chimney starter and coat with vegetable oil. Light the newspaper and add half of the charcoal to the chimney.
  2. Carefully place the charcoal, which should be slightly coated with gray ash, onto the bottom grate of a kettle grill and distribute it evenly.
  3. Evenly distribute the remaining unlit charcoal on top, being careful not to smother the lighted charcoal. Cover the kettle and set the second grate on top until you’re ready to cook.
  4. Cut the tomatoes in half and remove their seeds; then, place the halves in a fine-mesh strainer over a small bowl to collect juice.
  5. Separate the halves by seeds, then shred them on the box grater’s large hole side; discard the skins. Set aside the grated tomato and saved juice.
  6. Raise the temperature of the chicken stock in a 4-quart saucepanor kettle to 200ºF while stirring often over high heat. Lift the pot from the heat and cover to maintain a simmer.
  7. In a small bowl, whisk together the rice, paprika, saffron, rosemary, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
  8. In a paella pan set over a preparedgrill, heat the olive oil. Roll the chicken in the remaining 2 teaspoons of salt, being sure to coat it evenly.
  9. Cook the chicken for 5–6 minutes on each side, or until golden brown, when the olive oil shimmers. Transfer the chicken to the outside pan edges.
  10. Put the garlic, green bell peppers, red bell peppers, and green beans in the middle of the pan and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the vegetables start to soften and turn a darker shade.
  11. Toss in the tomatoes and their juice, then simmer for 4 or 5 minutes, or until the liquid reduces by half and the tomatoes color and thicken.
  12. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 1 minute after adding the rice mixture to the pan’s middle.
  13. Toss the chicken pieces with the rice and spread them evenly. Bring the chicken broth to a boil, then add 4 cups of it and mix to coat the rice evenly. Make sure to cover the rice entirely with the liquid. Stir the paella no more than this.
  14. Add 4 cups of broth after the rice looks dry and all the liquid has been absorbed, which should take about 8 to 9 minutes. For the next 8 to 9 minutes, cook without stirring, until the liquid has been absorbed. Roughly chewable rice with a small white dot in the middle is ideal.
  15. When the rice starts to stick, add the last cup of stock. Keep cooking until the rice is done. Be sure the fire is heated evenly and make any necessary adjustments to the pan to avoid uneven cooking.
  16. Put a tea towel over the pan and take it off the heat for 15 minutes before you serve it.

💭 Recipe Tips

  • Use short- or medium-grain rice for the ideal texture.
  • Maintain even heat for uniform cooking.
  • Let the paella rest before serving for optimal flavors.
  • Customize with seafood for a twist on tradition.
Alton Brown Paella Recipe - Delish Sides (2)

🍚 What Goes Well With Paella?

Accompaniments paella with Spanish green salad, fried rice, green beans, gazpacho, roasted red peppers, garlic shrimp, Spanish omelette, grilled artichokes, sautéed spinach with garlic, and tomato bread.

🎚 How To Store Leftovers Paella?

  • In The Fridge: Keep leftover paella in a tightly sealed container for 3 to 5 days.
  • In The Freezer: Freeze leftover paella in portions of freezer bags for up to 1 month. Let thaw in the fridge before reheating.

🥵 How To Reheat Leftovers Paella?

  • Stove: Reheat gently paella with a splash of water in a pan for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. until hot.
  • Microwave: Microwave paella in short 60-second intervals, stirring in between, until heated through.

FAQs

What is the best rice to use for paella?

Bomba rice is optimal for paella due to its ability to absorb liquid while maintaining a firm texture and distinct grains.

Do you stir paella while cooking?

No, paella doesn’t require constant stirring. Stirring is minimal to allow the formation of socarrat, the prized crust at the bottom.

Do you add cooked or uncooked rice to paella?

In paella, uncooked rice is added to the pan along with other ingredients, typically using a ratio of 1 cup rice to 4 cups add-ins.

What can I use instead of saffron in paella? Turmeric

Turmeric is a suitable alternative to saffron in paella, providing a similar yellow color and subtle flavor at a lower cost.

Try More Alton Brown Recipes:

  • Alton Brown Gazpacho Recipe
  • Alton Brown Sweet And Sour Pork
  • Alton Brown Baked Beans

Alton Brown Paella NutritionFacts

Amount Per Serving

  • Calories 341
  • Total Fat 11g
  • Saturated Fat 2.3g
  • Cholesterol 60mg
  • Sodium 1462mg
  • Total Carbohydrate 39g
  • Dietary Fiber 1.9g
  • Sugar 2.2g
  • Protein 19g
Alton Brown Paella Recipe - Delish Sides (3)

Alton Brown Paella Recipe

Author: Imen Dridi Cooking Method:Grilling,Stovetop Cuisine:American,British Courses:Main,Dinner,Lunch Recipe Keys:PPaella Recipe

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 30 minutesCook time: 15 minutesRest time: 45 minutesTotal time:1 hour 30 minutesServings:6 servingsCalories:341 kcal Best Season:Available

Description

Alton Brown’s Paella is a colorful charcoal-cooked dish that consists of rich flavors of saffron, chicken, and vegetables and takes 1 hour and 30 minutes to be ready!

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Place 4 or 5 pieces of newspaper in the bottom of a charcoal chimney starter and coat with vegetable oil. Light the newspaper and add half of the charcoal to the chimney.
  2. Carefully place the charcoal, which should be slightly coated with gray ash, onto the bottom grate of a kettle grill and distribute it evenly.
  3. Evenly distribute the remaining unlit charcoal on top, being careful not to smother the lighted charcoal. Cover the kettle and set the second grate on top until you’re ready to cook.
  4. Cut the tomatoes in half and remove their seeds; then, place the halves in a fine-mesh strainer over a small bowl to collect juice.
  5. Separate the halves by seeds, then shred them on the box grater’s large hole side; discard the skins. Set aside the grated tomato and saved juice.
  6. Raise the temperature of the chicken stock in a 4-quart saucepan or kettle to 200ºF while stirring often over high heat. Lift the pot from the heat and cover to maintain a simmer.
  7. In a small bowl, whisk together the rice, paprika, saffron, rosemary, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
  8. In a paella pan set over a prepared grill, heat the olive oil. Roll the chicken in the remaining 2 teaspoons of salt, being sure to coat it evenly.
  9. Cook the chicken for 5–6 minutes on each side, or until golden brown, when the olive oil shimmers. Transfer the chicken to the outside pan edges.
  10. Put the garlic, green bell peppers, red bell peppers, and green beans in the middle of the pan and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the vegetables start to soften and turn a darker shade.
  11. Toss in the tomatoes and their juice, then simmer for 4 or 5 minutes, or until the liquid reduces by half and the tomatoes color and thicken.
  12. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 1 minute after adding the rice mixture to the pan’s middle.
  13. Toss the chicken pieces with the rice and spread them evenly. Bring the chicken broth to a boil, then add 4 cups of it and mix to coat the rice evenly. Make sure to cover the rice entirely with the liquid. Stir the paella no more than this.
  14. Add 4 cups of broth after the rice looks dry and all the liquid has been absorbed, which should take about 8 to 9 minutes. For the next 8 to 9 minutes, cook without stirring, until the liquid has been absorbed. Roughly chewable rice with a small white dot in the middle is ideal.
  15. When the rice starts to stick, add the last cup of stock. Keep cooking until the rice is done. Be sure the fire is heated evenly and make any necessary adjustments to the pan to avoid uneven cooking.
  16. Put a tea towel over the pan and take it off the heat for 15 minutes before you serve it.

Notes

  • Use short- or medium-grain rice for the ideal texture.
    Maintain even heat for uniform cooking.
    Let the paella rest before serving for optimal flavors.
    Customize with seafood for a twist on tradition.

Keywords:Alton Brown Paella Recipe

Alton Brown Paella Recipe - Delish Sides (2024)

FAQs

How should paella be served? ›

Eatingpaella with a fork in Valencia will make you look ridiculous, by the way. In terms of serving the paella, our common sense tells us to serve the paella individually on plates for children and for any guests who have never eaten from the paella pan before since it may make them feel uncomfortable.

How do you eat paella etiquette? ›

That's right: the paella is eaten directly from the pan with a wooden spoon. But take note, because Valencia etiquette dictates that you can only eat the portion that's in front of you.

Which type of food is most common to be mixed in paella? ›

Consequently, paella recipes went from being relatively simple to including a wide variety of seafood, meat, sausage (including chorizo), vegetables and many different seasonings. However, the most globally popular recipe is seafood paella.

Should you serve bread with paella? ›

Another typical recipe for bars and restaurants in Spain alike, garlic prawns are a perfect starter that allows us to prepare for similar paellas, such as a seafood paella or senyoret. We recommend serving with a loaf of bread to soak up the broth that remains when we have finished eating the prawns.

What can you not put in paella? ›

What Can You Not Put in Paella? Real paella does not include many ingredients that go into other rice dishes. Some of these include onions, peas, mushrooms, carrots, and chorizo. While all good combinations with rice, these aren't part of the traditional paella recipes.

Do you serve paella in a bowl or on a plate? ›

It is a flavorful dish that consists of rice, saffron, vegetables, and often includes meat or seafood. Here are some steps to help you eat paella: Serve the paella onto individual plates or bowls. Use a spoon to scoop out the rice and any meat or seafood on top of the rice onto your plate.

Do you put cheese on paella? ›

Stir tomato mixture into rice until blended. Place paella in a large shallow bowl and serve with sprinkled pine nuts and cheese.

How long can paella sit before serving? ›

Remove paella from oven and cover with foil. Let sit for another 10 minutes before serving. (The rice will continue to cook and absorb liquid as it sits.) Serve garnished with parsley.

Do you stir paella at the end? ›

In terms of the basic ingredients, paella is similar to a risotto. The main difference is paella doesn't require constant stirring. In fact, it's important not to stir it once the stock is added to ensure the delicious, light-golden crust, known as socarrat, forms on the base.

Why is there no chorizo in paella? ›

Does paella need to have chorizo? No, paella doesn't need to have chorizo; Most Spanish cooks would not put chorizo in paella, the sausage's strong taste being considered as overwhelming the delicate saffron flavor of the rice. Paella normally has only one kind of meat (chicken or rabbit are often used).

Why do you cover paella with foil? ›

Chef José Pizarro gives a recipe in his book Seasonal Spanish Food that follows a similar process, but he covers the dish with foil for the last eight minutes of cooking. This speeds up the cooking of the seafood but, in comparison to the Harts' paella, the rice seems slightly mushy.

What is the secret to a good paella? ›

Here are some of the tips to make paella:
  • Don't stir the rice!
  • Use pimenton and real saffron.
  • Add the rice before adding the water or stock.
  • Don't overcrowd the rice.
  • Use the right rice.
  • Don't cover the paella with a lid when it's cooking. ...
  • Cover the final paella with a layer of paper towels.
Jun 15, 2015

Why do you not put onions in paella? ›

Nixing the onions. While onions are beloved for imparting a nice note of allium flavor to cooking, they're also known to bring quite a bit of moisture to the pan. In fact, they are made up of about 89% water, so they can completely throw off your broth-to-rice ratio but adding unexpected liquid.

What is the most important ingredient in paella? ›

Rice is the most important ingredient in traditional paella, and choosing the right type of rice is crucial to achieving the perfect texture and flavor of the dish. Short-grain rice is preferred because it has the ability to absorb the liquid and flavors of the dish while maintaining its structure and texture.

Can you eat paella with cheese? ›

Stir tomato mixture into rice until blended. Place paella in a large shallow bowl and serve with sprinkled pine nuts and cheese.

Is paella for two people? ›

And most importantly, look for a restaurant that advises that the paella will take a minimum of 20 minutes to prepare and must be for a minimum of 2 people – you must be prepared to wait for a good paella!

Do you eat paella for dinner? ›

While you may see paella served at some places for dinner, that's just wrong. Spaniards only ever eat paella for lunch. Some of that is due to its history as a lunch dish for Valencia's rice workers.

Is paella a sharing dish? ›

It was always meant to be shared and, to this day, is typically served family-style on a round table with the pan in the center. There are probably as many recipes for paella as there are cooks making it (each region does it a little differently) but a few things are standard procedure.

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