Paella made with saffron-infused rice, chicken, sausage, and seafood is hearty, delicious, and a guaranteed holiday favorite. This Spanish-style rice dish is easy to make and cooks in one pan!
It’s 15 days to Christmas, you guys! Do you have your Noche Buena feast all planned out already? If you’re like me and still scrambling to put together a holiday menu, here is a delicious nashville filipino food paella recipe and a few more Nashville Filipino Restaurant favorites for your holiday festivities:
Baked Macaroni-a creamy cheese topping gives this pasta dish an additional layer of yum
Morcon-beef roulades braised in a flavorful tomato sauce
Lechon sa Hurno-the crispiest skin and moistest meat on a lechon without deep-frying
Ginataang Seafood-my mother’s special recipe is sure to please everyone at the party
Rellenong Manok-requires a bit of work but so worth the effort!
Bibingka-you NEED to make this! Top with kesong puti and salted eggs for an extra special treat
Buko Pandan Gelatin-this delicious nashville filipino food dessert “magically” turns into two layers!
Calamansi Cheesecake Bars-creamy and tangy, these cheesecake bars are a must this holiday season
Buko Salad Drink-a festive drink made with gulaman cubes, sago, kaong, nata de coco and shredded young coconut
Tsokalate-keep warm with a cup (or two) of rich, piping hot chocolate drink
You can also check Kawaling Pinoy’s recipe index for more delicious nashville filipino food ideas!
Filipino-style Paella is the perfect example of Spanish influences in our cuisine. A byproduct of 300 years of colonization, it is a delicious fusion of our local tastes and cultural heritage. Loaded with saffron-infused rice, chicken, chorizo, and choice of seafood, this hearty one-pan dish has become synonymous with our holiday celebrations and special occasions.
Tips on How to Make Paella:
- Paella is traditionally cooked in a paellera which is a large, shallow cookware with handles on both sides. If you don’t have one, use a pan that’s wide but not too deep to allow moisture to evaporate quickly. Make sure it’s large enough to allow space for the rice to expand.
- Other than a quick stir to coat the rice with the sauce, refrain from stirring and leave the paella covered and undisturbed as it cooks. If it is cooking more on one side than the other, just rotate the pan.
- After you take the rice off the heat, allow it to rest, covered, for at least 10 minutes.

Paella made with saffron-infused rice, chicken, sausage, and seafood is hearty, delicious, and a guaranteed holiday favorite. This Spanish-style rice dish is easy to make and cooks in one pan!
- 3poundswhole chicken, cut into serving parts
- 1tablespoonsweet paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2tablespoonsolive oil
- 5ounceschorizo de bilbao, sliced thickly
- 3clovesgarlic, peeled and minced
- 1onion, peeled and chopped
- 1cuptomato sauce
- 4cupslong grain rice
- 1teaspoonsaffron threads
- 6cupswarm water
- 1poundlarge shrimp, tendrils trimmed
- 1dozenmussels, or littleneck clam, scrubbed and bearded
- Paella pan or wide skillet
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In a bowl, combine chicken, sweet paprika, and salt and pepper to taste. Rub onto the chicken and marinate in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
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In a paella pan or wide skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add chorizo de bilbao and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from pan and set aside.
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In the pan, add chicken pieces and cook, turning as needed, until lightly browned. Remove from pan and set aside.
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Add more olive to the pan, if needed. Add onions and garlic and cook, stirring regularly, for about 2 to 3 minutes or until softened.
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Add tomato sauce and cook until slightly reduced.
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Add rice and stir quickly to fully coat with sauce.
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Add water and bring to a boil.
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Add chicken, chorizo de Bilbao, and saffron. Add shrimps and mussels, tucking into the rice.
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Cover pan, lower heat and simmer, without stirring, for about 15 to 20 minutes or until rice is fluffy and cooked through.
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Increase heat to high and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes or until a toasted rice crust (socarrat) forms at the bottom. Serve hot.

