PF
Close-up of a seafood paella with prawns in a pan, a wooden spoon, and blue towel.
StovetopComplexity

Classic Spanish Paella

This Classic Spanish Paella delivers 39g protein and 602 calories per serving — one of the highest-protein rice dishes available. Batch-preps 6 servings in one stovetop pan, eliminating the multi-dish cleanup that stalls meal prep. Designed for anyone building lean muscle while maintaining a sustainable prep routine.

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Ingredients

6 servings
  • Olive oil(30g)

    Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.

  • Yellow Onion
  • Garlic(360g)
  • Bell Pepper
  • Chicken Thigh, Boneless Skinless

    Boneless skinless thighs. Fattier than breast but more forgiving to cook.

  • Tomato
  • Wine, White, Dry(120g)
  • 1 pinch salt (to taste)
  • 1 pinch pepper (to taste)
  • Mussels
  • Calamari (Squid)(227g)
  • Low Sodium Chicken Broth(900g)

    Any carton chicken broth labeled "low sodium." Swanson or store brand.

  • Rice, Jasmine, White, Dry(480g)
  • Peas, Sweet, Frozen(120g)
  • Saffron, Dried(5g)
  • Paprika, Ground(5g)
  • Garlic powder(3g)
  • Onion powder(3g)
  • Shrimp(595g)
  • Parsley, Fresh(30g)
  • Bell Pepper(15g)

Instructions

  1. 1Heat oil in a large sized non-stick pan or well seasoned skillet (or a paella pan if you have one), over medium heat. Fry onion, garlic and capsicum together; cook until onion is transparent (about 3 minutes).
  2. 2Sauté chicken until golden on all sides. Add in the chopped tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 5 minutes until they release liquid and the tomatoes begin to create a sauce.
  3. 3Add the wine, mussels and calamari rings. Allow to cook for a further 5 minutes; allow the wine to evaporate to half the quantity, then pour in the stock (or broth), rice, peas, saffron, paprika, garlic powder and onion powder. Mix all ingredients until well combined.
  4. 4Bring to a boil; reduce the heat and cover to allow MOST of the liquid to absorb into the rice, while stirring occasionally to prevent rice from sticking and burning to the pan underneath. (Cook until the rice is ALMOST cooked through.)
  5. 5Add in the prawns, mixing them through the rice, and cover again to allow the prawns and rice to cook completely.
  6. 6Once cooked, sprinkle with the parsley. Place capsicum strips over the top of the paella for enhanced flavour to serve. Drizzle with a small amount of olive oil over the top before serving.

Nutrition — Per Serving

602

calories

39g

protein

7g

fat

Carbohydrates
91g
Saturated fat
1.3g
Sodium
370 mg
Dietary fiber
4.3g

6 servings per batch · ~482g each

Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central

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Common questions

How much protein does Classic Spanish Paella have per serving?

Each serving contains 39g of protein and 602 calories with 7g fat and 91g carbs, making it a high-carb, high-protein option.

How long does Classic Spanish Paella take to prep?

This recipe qualifies as quick prep and yields 6 servings from one stovetop session, allowing efficient batch cooking for multiple meals.

Is Classic Spanish Paella good for muscle gain?

At 39g protein and 91g carbs per serving, this recipe excels during muscle-building phases where carbohydrate intake supports training intensity and recovery. The 602-calorie density aligns with a surplus needed for lean gains.

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