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Paella with Chicken & Prawns

Quick & Easy Chicken and Prawn Paella Recipe

Try using Tilda Pure Basmati in place of ordinary long grain rice – it will absorb all the flavours of the Mediterranean. *Use Gluten Free stock to make this dish Gluten Free

  • 31 - 60 Minutes
  • Medium
  • Serves 4

Energy

561 kcal

Fat

16g

Carbohydrates

60g

Fibre

3g

Protein

38g

Salt

2.3g

Recipe For Easy Chicken and Prawn Paella

Method

Ingredients

Ingredients

For the rice

  • 250g Tilda Pure Basmati Rice
  • 700ml fish stock* (made with 1 & 1⁄2 stock cubes)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1⁄2 tsp. turmeric
  • 1⁄2 tsp. mixed herbs
  • 100g frozen peas

For the chicken and prawn

  • 3 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 onion, roughly chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1⁄4 tsp. dried chilli flakes
  • 1 red pepper, diced
  • 250g chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 100g cooked tiger prawns
  • 100g cooked mussels (optional)
  • 125g raw scallops (optional)
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

How to make Quick & Easy Chicken and Prawn Paella Recipe

  1. For the rice stage, rinse the rice three times in cold water and drain well.

  2. Place the fish stock in a large saucepan, bring to the boil and add the bay leaves, turmeric and mixed herbs.

  3. Add the rice, cover, and cook over a very low heat for 16 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  4. Add the frozen peas and cook for a further 4 minutes, until the stock is absorbed and the rice is cooked. Remove the bay leaves.

  5. Meanwhile, for the chicken and prawn stage, heat the oil in a paella pan or large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat.

  6. Add the onion, garlic and chilli flakes and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes.

  7. Add the red pepper and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes, then add the chicken and stir-fry for a further 6-7 minutes.

  8. Stir in the prawns (and mussels and scallops if using and heat through gently for 4-5 minutes. Ensure the scallops are thoroughly cooked.

  9. Add the seafood mixture to the rice and stir gently to combine.

  10. Add the lemon juice and serve immediately.

What is chicken and prawn paella?

Chicken and prawn paella is a one-pan dish that combines chicken, prawns, vegetables, spices like paprika and saffron, and rice, which soaks up all the rice, savoury flavours. The dish hails from the sunny shores of Spain and is traditionally cooked in a wide, shallow pan.

Chicken and prawn paella with basmati rice tips

1. If the rice dries out too early, add a splash of hot stock or water

Don’t worry if you notice the rice in your chicken and prawn paella starting to dry out as it cooks. A splash of hot stock or water is all it takes to bring it back to life. Adding a little liquid helps the rice stay tender and ensures it absorbs all those rich, delicious flavours from the pan. Just be sure to use hot stock or water to keep the cooking process steady and avoid cooling things down.

2. For extra depth, add a splash of white wine after sautéing the onions

Adding white wine is a wonderful way to elevate the dish. The wine deglazes the pan, lifting all those delicious caramelised bits and infusing the rice with a subtle depth of flavour. As it simmers, the alcohol cooks off, leaving behind a gentle acidity that balances the richness of the paella.

3. Love heat? A pinch of chilli flakes works beautifully

Adding chilli flakes brings a gentle kick of heat. It enhances the flavours without overpowering the delicate balance of spices like saffron and paprika. Sprinkle them in while sautéing your onions or towards the end of cooking for a subtle warmth.

Chicken and prawn paella recipe FAQs

How long does it take to cook?

It takes around 40-50 minutes to cook chicken and prawn paella from start to finish. The key is to allow each step to build layers of flavour by sautéing the onions, browning the chicken, and letting the rice simmer gently in the rich, spiced stock. The prawns are added towards the end to ensure they stay tender and juicy. It’s not a dish to rush, but the result is well worth the time.

Is chicken and prawn paella spicy?

Chicken and prawn paella isn’t traditionally a spicy dish, but it can be adapted to suit your taste. The classic recipe focuses on aromatic spices like saffron and paprika, which add warmth and depth without heat. However, if you enjoy a bit of spice, you can easily add a pinch of chilli flakes or a dash of hot paprika to give it a gentle kick. You could also try different spicy chicken and rice dishes, like pilaf or fajitas.

How many calories are in chicken and prawn paella?

The exact calorie count of chicken and prawn paella depends on the recipe, but it’s generally between 450 and 750, depending on the ingredients used.

Can I freeze chicken and prawn paella?

Yes, you can, but you need to take care to avoid food poisoning. Make sure the paella has cooled completely before storing it in the freezer, where it’ll keep for a month. When you’re ready to eat it, defrost it in the fridge the night before.

Can you reheat chicken and prawn paella?

Yes, you can. Make sure the paella has cooled completely before storing it in the fridge, where it’ll keep for up to three days. When you’re ready to eat it, place it in a large frying pan with a splash of water and cook until it’s very hot. You can only reheat chicken and prawn paella once.

Explore other paella recipes

Why not try our chicken and vegetable paella recipe? And for days when you need to get dinner on the table quickly, there’s our quick paella with Tilda tomato and basil rice.