Slow Cooker Paella is made with tender chicken, pork, chorizo, and sweet shrimp seasoned with saffron. The rich flavors combine to make one delicious dish! This dish is easy to make and has so much flavor! Try Crockpot Paella for dinner tonight!
Next time try the Stuffed Pepper Casserole recipe.
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Why you'll love this recipe
Have you ever had Paella? It's a great meal and it's very special. It's perfect for dinner parties or holidays meals and I've made it more times than I can count!
Ingredients
- boneless skinless chicken breasts
- boneless skinless chicken thighs
- pork tenderloin
- shrimp
- chorizo
- chicken broth
- frozen peas
- long grain rice
- medium yellow onion
- green pepper or red bell pepper
- artichokes in water
- piquillo peppers
- sun-dried tomatoes
- saffron threads
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- salt
- black pepper
- garlic powder
Instructions
The meat for this recipe is quickly browned on the stove top and then finished in your crockpot. Adding layers of flavor with artichokes, piquillo peppers and sun-dried tomatoes ensures you have all that flavor with minimum work!
- Combine salt, pepper and garlic powder.
- Cut the chicken breast, thighs and pork tenderloin into three-inch pieces. Season chicken.
- Heat the oil in a large pan of medium/medium-high heat. Brown the meat In batches, add to the crockpot.
- Lightly toast the rice in the pan, stirring occasionally. Remove and add to the slow cooker.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker, stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on high for two hours or until rice is soft.
- Remove the lid and add the shrimp, cook until pink.
- Add the frozen peas and stir to combine. Check for seasonings.
- Turn onto a platter, serve with lemon wedges - enjoy!
Crock Pot Paella
Slow Cooker Chicken and Chorizo Recipe has always been one of my favorite meals to make for entertaining and holidays because it has something for everyone and it feeds a crowd.
Chicken, pork, chorizo and seafood? Delicious!
Paella is a dish that layers flavors. As it cooks the flavors develop and it's very complex. One of the key ingredients is saffron. It's an expensive spice but totally worth the cost.
Saffron is expensive because it's labor-intensive. It's made from the tiny, stigmas threads in the center of the crocus flower. Each crocus only has three stems - that's why it's so expensive!
Is there a substitute for saffron? Flavor-wise, no not really. The flavor is unique, but a pinch of turmeric will help mimic the color. Adding paprika and chili powder will give you good layers of flavor. Frankly if you're making this, buy the saffron!
FAQ's
It takes about two hours on high.
Round medium grain rice works well. It will absorb liquid quickly and is the traditional choice when making this dish. Spanish rice is great if you can find it. Jasmine rice is readily available and what I usually use. Do not use Arborio, the water/rice ratio will be off.
Paella is the national dish of Spain. It uses a variety of meats; chicken, pork, rabbit, duck and/or seafood. It has bold flavors and can be customized for your meal and tastes.
Variations
A splash of white wine will add another layer of flavor. Don't worry, the alcohol will cook out during the process!
Brown rice isn't traditional in authentic paella, but you can substitute it if you'd prefer.
Additional add-ons
- andouille sausage
- lobster tails
- green beans
Related recipes
If you love this recipe, here are a few more from the blog to make and enjoy!
- Crockpot Angel Chicken - it's easy to make and perfect of those days when you don't have time to cook.
- Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna - this easy recipe is always a hit!
- Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup - light and lemony this delicious soup is the perfect meal.
- This hearty recipe for Ham and Potato Casserole is another rich delicious meal!
- Crock Pot Steak and Potatoes is an easy recipe that always gets reviews.
- Another great recipe when you're having guests is the 500 Degree Turkey Recipe - whether it's the holidays or not!
- Crockpot Chicken and Gravy Recipe - this is perfect over mashed potatoes, rice or pasta.
Serving suggestions
- A side of Pan Roasted Vegetables is fantastic with this meal, plus they are very easy to make!
- Making homemade buttermilk bread or yeast rolls is always a hit!
- How about something sweet to round out the meal? We love this easy recipe for Pink Lemonade Cupcakes. The perfect little something sweet!
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If you love this recipe please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating!
Slow Cooker Paella Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts boneless, skinless
- 2-3 chicken thighs boneless, skinless
- 1 pork tenderloin
- 1 lb. shrimp
- 4 oz. chorizo
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1 ½ cup frozen peas
- 2 cups rice
- 1 large onion diced
- 1 green pepper seeds removed, diced
- ½ cup artichokes drained
- ½ cup piquillo peppers drained, diced
- 2 tablespoon sun-dried tomatoes
- pinch saffron threads
- 2 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Combine the salt, pepper and garlic powder. Cut each chicken breast into three pieces and the thighs in half. Season the chicken, slice the pork tenderloin into three-inch pieces.
- Heat the oil in a large pan of medium/medium-high heat.
- In batches, brown the chicken and pork on both sides, about three minutes, per side.
- Transfer the chicken and pork to the crockpot. Add the rice to the pan, cook for three minutes stirring occasionally. Remove and add to the slow cooker.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes, piquillo peppers, broth, sliced chorizo, onion, bell pepper and saffron to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on high for two hours or until rice is soft. Remove the lid and add the shrimp, nestle them into the paella. Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until the shrimp is pink.
- Add the frozen peas and stir to combine. The steam from the paella will cook the peas.
- Check for seasoning - you might need a sprinkle of salt. Topped with minced parsley and serve with lemon wedges. Enjoy!
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Related recipes
I've shared a couple of recipes latetly that have been a real hit! Everyone loved the Mediterranean flavors of Pasta Puttanesca and Lemon Garlic Pasta. I'm hoping you love this recipe even more!
When I lived in the midwest it was all about dinner parties and gatherings. The neighborhood I lived was fabulous! There was always a friend stopping by and plans being made and entertaining was a THING!
One time I brought it out to the table and served it in the pan I made it in. My friend Jay (afterward) said Deb I was pretty sure there wasn't enough in that pan to feed the crowd, but it was like a neverending pot of food!
And it tastes AMAZING!
I'd make it on the stovetop. Standing and cooking for what seemed like hours while everyone visited and chatted around me.
Well that's not fun, right?
Finally, I got smart and began making it in the slow cooker!
Kat says
I have two clarifying questions. By artichokes, do you mean artichoke hearts? (I assume so, but want to confirm.) Is the shrimp you use frozen or fresh?
Debra Clark says
Sorry Kat - artichoke hearts, yes. For the shrimp I used frozen thawed shrimp.
Laureen Skuraton says
This sounds delish! I want to prepare this for an office party. Can I cook at home and leave on warm setting at office until serving? How long can I leave on warm setting?
Thank u for your time.
Bowl Me Over says
Hey Laureen - I do love Paella, it's one of my favorite meals! Having said that, I wouldn't recommend it for your party. If this sits too long, the rice can turn to mush. I don't think it would be your best choice for the gathering. If you like pasta, I think the Chicken Spaghetti Casserole would be a better choice.
Maria says
I made this last night and it was delicious but the rice turned out mushy. Any recommendations? Also some questions.. about the chorizo. this chorizo is the cured spanish chorizo and not the mexican uncooked chorizo? and the piquillo pepper I couldn't find.. are roasted red peppers a good substitute?
Bowl Me Over says
I'm thinking your crockpot cooks a little hotter perhaps? I'm sorry the rice turned out mushy. I would reduce the cooking time in the future. Thank you for clarifying, yes you want the cooked chorizo. If you can't find piquillo peppers, red peppers are an excellent substitute!
R says
Different rice types cook differently - what time of rice a
Do you recommend using? Short, medium or long grain?
Bowl Me Over says
I recommend a short grain rice for this recipe.
Jamipova says
Fantastic recipe...family absolutely loved it!
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you so much! I love paella, it's one of my favorite recipes to make, I'm glad you enjoyed it as well!!
Madi says
Making paella in a slow cooker is such an awesome idea! I love how easy this recipe is to make!
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you Madi! It sure does simplify the process!
Sandra says
Wow! What a fabulous looking paella. That chorizo caught my eye...so flavorful! I’m starting to menu plan for a group of 6. This is going on my must make list!
Bowl Me Over says
It will make your meal so much easier, enjoy Sandra!!
michele says
This sounds terrific. And I especially like that I don't have to stand over the stovetop to make it! Definitely giving it a whirl!
Bowl Me Over says
Wonderful, enjoy Michele! This is a great meal for a crowd!!
Michaela Kenkel says
This is on my menu plan this week!!
Bowl Me Over says
Fabulous!! It's such a yummy meal!
Kylee says
My husband absolutely loved this! It was super easy, and packed full of flavor.
Bowl Me Over says
Yay!!! Glad you enjoyed this meal, we love it too!
Julie says
This was our Sunday dinner and we absolutely loved this recipe. I can't wait to eat the leftovers tomorrow!
Bowl Me Over says
Big fan of leftovers too - paella is such a treat!!
Liza says
Loving this recipe so much! Such an easy, yummy dinner solution! 🙂
Bowl Me Over says
Best kind right? I love Paella, it's such a wonderful meal - enjoy!