The Ultimate Instant Pot Paella: A Quick & Flavorful Seafood and Chicken Feast

Craving the vibrant, complex flavors of authentic Spanish paella but don’t have hours to spare? Look no further! This Instant Pot paella recipe delivers a sensational meal packed with succulent chicken, tender shrimp, fresh mussels, and delicate calamari – all ready to grace your table in a mere 15 minutes of cooking time. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you desire a gourmet experience without the fuss. Prepare to be amazed by how quickly and effortlessly you can create this traditional Spanish favorite in your trusty pressure cooker!

Why Choose Instant Pot Paella? Speed, Flavor, and Convenience

Traditional paella is a masterpiece of slow cooking, developing layers of flavor over an extended period. While truly special, it often requires significant time and attention, making it a challenge for many home cooks during busy weekdays. Our Instant Pot paella recipe streamlines this classic dish, making it incredibly accessible without compromising on taste. Here’s why this recipe stands out:

• Unbeatable Speed

  The Instant Pot dramatically cuts down cooking time. While conventional paella typically demands at least 30 minutes (often much more) of active cooking and simmering, our pressure cooker method achieves a perfectly cooked, flavorful paella in about 10 minutes of pressure cooking, plus minimal prep and sautéing. You’ll go from chopping to serving in under 30 minutes total, making it an ideal choice for a quick yet impressive dinner.

• A Healthy & Wholesome Meal

  This isn’t just fast food; it’s smart food! Loaded with lean protein from chicken and a medley of seafood, vibrant vegetables like onions and bell peppers, and wholesome rice, this Instant Pot paella is a complete and balanced meal. The infusion of aromatic saffron and paprika adds both depth of flavor and beneficial antioxidants, ensuring you’re feeding your body well.

• Effortless One-Pot Cleanup

  Who loves doing dishes after a delicious meal? Not many! One of the greatest advantages of the Instant Pot is its ability to perform multiple cooking functions in a single pot. From sautéing the aromatics and chicken to pressure cooking the rice and seafood, everything happens in one vessel. This means significantly less cleanup compared to preparing each component separately, leaving you more time to enjoy your culinary creation.

The Heart of Paella: Key Ingredients and Their Role

At its core, paella is a rice dish, and each ingredient plays a crucial part in building its signature taste and texture. Our Instant Pot rendition respects these foundational elements while adapting them for modern efficiency.

• The Rice: Foundation of Flavor

  While traditional Valencian paella calls for Bomba rice, a short-grain rice known for its ability to absorb liquid without becoming mushy, any good quality short-grain white rice will work wonderfully in this Instant Pot recipe. The key is its starch content, which helps create a creamy, flavorful texture. Avoid rinsing the rice, as the surface starch contributes to the paella’s body.

• Chicken & Seafood: Protein Powerhouse

  This recipe features a robust combination of proteins. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are preferred for their tenderness and ability to retain moisture, providing a hearty base. The inclusion of shrimp, mussels, and calamari rings elevates the dish with varied textures and oceanic flavors. The fresh mussels, in particular, add a delicate brininess and release flavorful juices as they steam open, enriching the entire dish.

• Aromatics & Spices: The Soul of Paella

  Onion, bell pepper, and garlic form the aromatic base, building essential flavors through sautéing. Diced Roma tomatoes add a fresh, slightly acidic counterpoint. However, the true stars of paella’s flavor profile are saffron and paprika. Saffron threads impart the characteristic golden hue and a subtle, floral aroma that is unmistakably paella. Paprika, especially smoked paprika, contributes a sweet, earthy, and often smoky depth that is vital to the dish’s authenticity.

• Chicken Broth: The Liquid Gold

  High-quality chicken broth is essential as the cooking liquid, infusing the rice with savory notes and ensuring proper cooking. Its rich flavor complements the proteins and spices, bringing all the elements together harmoniously.

• Frozen Peas: A Pop of Color and Sweetness

  Added at the end, frozen peas provide a lovely pop of green color and a touch of sweetness that brightens the dish and offers a pleasant textural contrast.

Expert Tips for Perfect Instant Pot Paella

Achieving a restaurant-quality paella in your Instant Pot is simpler than you think, especially with these expert insights:

• The Importance of Deglazing

  After sautéing the chicken and aromatics, it’s crucial to add the chicken broth and then thoroughly scrape the bottom of your Instant Pot insert with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula. This process, known as deglazing, removes any browned bits of food stuck to the bottom. If these bits remain, they can trigger the “burn” warning on your Instant Pot, preventing it from coming to pressure. Deglazing not only ensures safe operation but also adds a fantastic layer of caramelized flavor to your paella.

• Customize Your Seafood Selection

  One of the beauties of paella is its versatility. While this recipe calls for shrimp, mussels, and calamari, feel free to adapt it to your preferences. Not a fan of shellfish? Simply omit it! You can substitute with firm white fish, scallops, or even additional chicken. If you enjoy a smoky depth, consider adding diced chorizo sausage during the sauté phase. The possibilities are endless, allowing you to create a paella that perfectly suits your taste buds.

• Strategic Layering for Optimal Cooking

  The order in which you add ingredients, particularly the seafood, is important. When placing the shrimp, mussels, and calamari into the Instant Pot, arrange them on top of the rice mixture without stirring. This method ensures that the delicate seafood steams gently during the pressure cooking process, preventing it from overcooking or becoming rubbery. The mussels will open beautifully, signaling their doneness, and the shrimp and calamari will remain tender and juicy.

• Efficient Prep for Seamless Cooking

  The Instant Pot cooks quickly once it’s on, so having all your ingredients prepped and ready to go is key to a smooth cooking experience. Chop your onion, bell pepper, and tomatoes, mince your garlic, cut your chicken, and have your seafood prepared before you even turn on the Instant Pot. This mise en place approach will allow you to move swiftly through each step, making the entire process enjoyable and stress-free.

Step-by-Step Guide to Your 15-Minute Paella

Get ready to create a stunning Instant Pot Paella with these easy-to-follow instructions:

Instant Pot Paella

Prep: 5 minutes

Cook: 10 minutes

Total: 15 minutes

The Instant Pot delivers a delicious paella that’s ready to eat in just 15 minutes.

Author: Cheryl Malik

6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup Roma tomatoes, diced
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Pinch of saffron threads
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 ½ cups short grain white rice (see Notes)
• 2 cups chicken broth
• ½ pound shrimp, peeled, tail-on
• ½ pound mussels
• ½ pound calamari rings
• 1 cup frozen peas

Equipment

• Instant Pot

Instructions

1. Place olive oil in Instant Pot and set to sauté setting. Once oil is hot, add in onion, bell pepper, and garlic – cook for 3 minutes until softened.

   

2. Once veggies are tender, add in the diced tomatoes, paprika, salt, and saffron. Stir and cook for about 1 minute to allow the spices to bloom, then add in the chicken – cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the chicken is beginning to turn opaque.

   

3. Add in the short-grain rice and stir gently to combine all ingredients. Pour in the chicken broth. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the Instant Pot. This step is crucial to prevent a “burn” warning.

   

4. Carefully place the shrimp, mussels, calamari, and frozen peas into the Instant Pot, ensuring they are layered on top of the rice mixture. It’s important not to stir at this point. Place and secure the lid on the pot, then set it to manual high pressure for 5 minutes.

   

5. Once the cooking cycle is complete, manually release the steam by carefully turning the pressure release valve to the venting position. Once the pressure valve has dropped completely, remove the lid and gently fluff the paella with a fork. Serve warm and enjoy!

   

Notes

• Short Grain Rice: While traditional paella often uses “Bomba Rice,” any good quality short grain white rice (such as Arborio) will yield excellent results in this recipe.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 405kcal | Protein: 34g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Total Carbs: 48g | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Net Carbs: 45g | Vitamin C: 46mg | Cholesterol: 213mg | Sodium: 938mg | Potassium: 704mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 3mg

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

© Author: Cheryl Malik

Serving Suggestions & Perfect Pairings

Once your Instant Pot Paella is ready, serve it immediately to enjoy its peak freshness and flavor. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley and a few lemon wedges for a bright, zesty finish. The acidity of the lemon cuts through the richness of the seafood and rice beautifully. For a complete Spanish-inspired meal, pair your paella with a simple green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette and some crusty bread to soak up every last drop of the delicious juices. A chilled glass of dry white wine, such as Albariño, or a classic homemade sangria would be the perfect complement to this festive dish.

Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Pot Paella

Here are answers to some common questions you might have about making paella in your Instant Pot:

• Can I use long-grain rice instead of short-grain?

  While short-grain rice (like Bomba or Arborio) is traditional and recommended for paella due to its starchy texture and ability to absorb liquid without becoming mushy, long-grain rice can be used in a pinch. However, the texture of the finished dish may be different, potentially less creamy. If using long-grain rice, monitor the liquid carefully as it may absorb differently.

• How can I make this paella vegetarian or vegan?

  Absolutely! To make a delicious vegetarian paella, simply omit the chicken and seafood. Increase the amount of vegetables, adding ingredients like artichoke hearts, asparagus, mushrooms, green beans, or additional bell peppers. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. For a vegan version, ensure all other ingredients (like paprika, which is usually vegan) are plant-based.

• What if my Instant Pot gives a “burn” warning?

  A “burn” warning usually means there are food particles stuck to the bottom of the pot, preventing it from pressurizing correctly. This is why the deglazing step (scraping the bottom after adding broth) is so important. If you get a warning, carefully quick-release the pressure, remove the lid, scrape the bottom thoroughly, add a splash more broth if needed, and try again. Ensure the pot is clean before restarting.

• Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time or freeze it?

  Paella is best enjoyed fresh, immediately after it’s cooked. The texture of the rice and seafood can change upon reheating, especially if frozen. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth if it seems dry.

More Delicious Instant Pot Recipes You Need to Try

If you’ve loved the convenience and flavor of this Instant Pot Paella, explore these other fantastic Instant Pot recipes to make your cooking journey even easier and more delicious:

• Instant Pot Black Rice
• Instant Pot Italian Sausage
• Beer-Infused Instant Pot Brats
• Instant Pot Chicken Paprikash
• Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage

Savor the Flavor: Your New Go-To Paella Recipe

This Instant Pot Paella is more than just a recipe; it’s a game-changer for anyone who loves rich, complex flavors but needs a practical, quick cooking solution. It embodies the spirit of traditional Spanish cuisine while embracing the efficiency of modern kitchen appliances. With its tender chicken, succulent seafood, and perfectly cooked saffron-infused rice, this dish is guaranteed to impress your family and friends. Dive in and experience the magic of Instant Pot Paella – a truly remarkable meal ready in minutes!

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