Shrimp and Chorizo Lazy Paella Recipe

Updated March 31, 2025

Chorizo and shrimp paella, an all-in-one superhero dinner wonder, in less than fifteen minutes. Boil-in-the-bag rice (there's nothing easier or more foolproof) is crisped with smoky chorizo, tender shrimp, green peas, fresh parsley, sweet shallots, and saffron. The rice soaks up all the flavor of the saffron and the ruby-tinged paprika oil of the chorizo. As good as the real thing? No way. But a great, delicious, filling meal for two in fifteen minutes? You bet!

Recipe Details

Shrimp and Chorizo Lazy Paella Recipe

Cook 20 mins

Active 15 mins

Total 20 mins

Serves 2 servings

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Ingredients

1/4 teaspoon (not packed) saffron
8 1/2 ounces parboiled white rice (preferably cook-in-the-bag rice)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 ounces Spanish chorizo, sliced into thin coins
1 large shallot, sliced
20 medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 cup frozen peas
3 tablespoons chopped fresh flat leaf parsley

Directions

Put the saffron in a small bowl and cover with 2 tablespoons of boiling water. Set aside to steep. Meanwhile, cook the rice according to package instructions. Then drain, and set aside.
While the rice is cooking, heat the olive oil in a wide skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the chorizo and cook, stirring frequently, until it releases red oil, about 1 minute. Add the shallot and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 45 seconds. Add the shrimp, and cook until almost completely pink, about 2 minutes. Add the peas, and cook until the shrimp are pink and opaque and the peas thawed, 1 minute longer.
Push the shrimp and chorizo to the side of the pan and add the drained rice in the center. Add the saffron and its water. Stir the saffron into the rice and cook until the pan is dry. Then, stir in the shrimp and chorizo and peas from the corners of the pan. Stir in the parsley and serve
Optional step: place the paella in an 8-inch by 8-inch baking dish, and drizzle the top with 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Place under a hot broiler just until the rice turns slightly crisp.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
449	Calories
17g	Fat
49g	Carbs
25g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Amount per serving
Calories	449
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 17g	21%
Saturated Fat 5g	25%
Cholesterol 130mg	43%
Sodium 1010mg	44%
Total Carbohydrate 49g	18%
Dietary Fiber 4g	14%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 25g
Vitamin C 15mg	75%
Calcium 94mg	7%
Iron 4mg	20%
Potassium 461mg	10%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.