Any paella, including gluten free paella, usually contains chicken along with seafood and chorizo, however, I don’t care for seafood or the gristle in chorizo. I can only find the lower quality chorizo that contains gristle. Therefore, I skipped the seafood and substitute bacon bits for chorizo. To speed things up, I use instant rice in this paella recipe, but you can use regular, short grain rice. Just cook the paella with enough broth to substitute the amount water you would normally use to cook the rice. I didn’t have any saffron, so I skipped it as well. It turned out delicious! I even caught my husband taking a spoonful on his way to place his plate in the sink after our meal was complete. I told him that is one the highest forms of complements he could pay me. I hope you feel the same way. Enjoy!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 to 1 lb. chicken breasts, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
- 2 Tablespoons cooking oil
- 2 1/4 cups gluten free chicken broth (see Gluten-Free Products List for GF brands
- 2 1/4 cups White Minute Rice
- 1 cup yellow onion, chopped
- 1 small to medium green bell pepper
- 2 larges garlic cloves, minced or grated
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika (McCormick's)
- 1 teaspoon oregano flakes (McCormick's)
- 3 - 4 Tablespoons bacon bits (fresh or Hormel Bacon Bits, Pieces, or Crumbles)
Instructions:
- Preheat a heavy skillet on medium-high heat. Once heated, add the 1 Tablespoon of oil, paprika and oregano. Stir to combine and heat for a few seconds. Add the chicken pieces, and brown. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
- Add another tablespoon of oil, the onion, bell pepper and seasonings, and saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Remove it from the burner and add the rice and broth. Stir it and cover for 5 minutes. Toss the rice gently and cover again until most of the liquid is absorbed, about another 5 minutes.
- Do not leave it in the pan or the rice will dry out. Either serve immediately or transfer to bowl and cover if serving soon. Otherwise refrigerate and reheat in the microwave on medium temperature or in a covered colander over simmering water when ready to serve.