Vegan Chicken Paella

Indulge in the rich, smoky flavors of Vegan Chicken Paella, a plant-based twist on the classic Spanish dish. This vibrant recipe features tender vegan chicken pieces, aromatic saffron, and perfectly cooked short-grain paella rice, all simmered in a savory vegetable broth. Bursting with the bold hues of smoked paprika, turmeric, and colorful vegetables like bell peppers, peas, and artichokes, this one-pan wonder is as visually stunning as it is delicious. Ready in under an hour, this easy vegan paella is perfect for weeknight dinners or as a crowd-pleasing centerpiece for a gathering. Garnished with fresh parsley and zesty lemon wedges, it’s a delightfully flavorful meal that captures the essence of traditional paella—cruelty-free and full of wholesome, hearty ingredients.

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium tomato, diced
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 pinch saffron threads
• 1.5 cups short-grain paella rice
• 3.5 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup vegan chicken pieces (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 cup artichoke hearts, quartered
• 1 large lemon, sliced into wedges
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large paella pan or wide skillet over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 4-5 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in the red bell pepper and garlic, cooking for an additional 2 minutes.

Step 4

Add the diced tomato, smoked paprika, turmeric, and saffron threads, and stir well.

Step 5

Add the paella rice to the pan, stirring to coat the grains in the vegetable and spice mixture.

Step 6

Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Season with salt and black pepper.

Step 7

Spread the vegan chicken pieces evenly over the rice mixture.

Step 8

Without stirring, allow the paella to cook uncovered over medium heat for about 20-25 minutes, until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.

Step 9

Scatter the frozen peas and artichoke hearts over the top during the last 5 minutes of cooking, allowing them to cook through.

Step 10

Remove the pan from heat and cover with a clean kitchen towel, allowing the paella to rest for 5 minutes.

Step 11

Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges before serving.

Step 12

Serve the paella warm, with additional lemon wedges on the side if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2194.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2398.9

Total Fat 51.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.2g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 5568.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 393.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 50.9g	0%
Total Sugars 39.3g
Protein 106.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 485.4mg	0%
Iron 20.4mg	0%
Potassium 4160.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 18.8%

Protein: 17.3%

Carbs: 63.9%