Chicken Not Quite Paella Surprise Recipe

My Not-Quite-Paella-Surprise for dinner is a quick and easy meal that is, in fact, an adaptation of a traditional recipe.

Paella is an old traditional recipe which decades ago was made with whatever meat or seafood and vegetables were on hand, with the addition of rice. This recipe is ideal for using up some of those leftover meats and veggies from yesterday’s meals.

I just happened to have five chicken thighs left over from a family pack previously purchased. I also had fresh asparagus, grape tomatoes, and mushrooms. And I always have Vigo Saffron Yellow Rice on hand. I think I’m addicted to it!

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs

You may choose to skin and debone the chicken if you wish. I am including a how-to video for this purpose. Personally, I do not, as I prefer the additional flavor found in the bone marrow and skin.

Stainless Steel Electric Skillet

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Say No to Aluminum Cookware

No More Non-Stick Coatings

When my current electric fry pan wears itself out (which won't be long now for it is a decade old and beginning to fade) this is the one I plan to get. Stainless steel! No more aluminum with a non-stick coating skillet for me!

Chicken Not-Quite Paella Surprise

Necessary Ingredients

Prep time 10 min - Total time 60 min

Ingredients for 3 servings
5 Chicken Thighs • Bunch of Fresh Asparagus, cut in half. • Pint of Fresh Mushrooms, I slice them. • Pint of Grape Tomatoes • 9 oz. Package Yellow Saffron Rice, no fat. • 2 Cups Spicy V-8 Juice • 1 Cup of Shredded Cheese, your choice-I used Cheddar. • 3 Tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning • 1 Tablespoon Pepper • 1 Tablespoon chopped Garlic

Cooking Instructions

Brown chicken on high heat Electric Skillet with just a few tablespoons of water, rather than oil.

Toss in the mushrooms, tomatoes, and asparagus while browning the chicken.

Make a well in the center of the skillet, pour the rice into the well.

Pour a cup of V-8 over the rice, mix well.

Add spices and cheese.

Pour another cup of V-8 over the chicken and vegetables.

Cover, bring to a boil, then set to medium-low simmer.

Check occasionally, stirring rice, and if needed add more V-8.

Recipe:

5.0/5 Stars (3 Votes)

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Ruthi's Chicken Not-Quite Paella Surp...

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Thumbs Up From the Roommate

And a Paws Up from the Dog's Dish

I know I’ve whipped up a wonderful chicken entrée when my roommate gives me the thumbs-up!

Scott does not like chicken … He’s a beef man all the way.

I try to get him to eat more chicken and fish, for health reasons, and every now and then he enjoys it. He certainly liked my paella surprise tonight, as there were no leftovers!

My dog Tidbit loved the paella which found its way to her dog dish, which consisted of one de-boned chicken thigh, a few pieces of asparagus stalk, and a grape tomato.

Cole Slaw

A Tasty Side Dish or Salad for Chicken Entrees

Go Green Dressing In The Raw Foods Slaw

This dressing and slaw recipe will become your favorite reason for going green and adding more raw foods and salads to your diet!

Updated: 09/08/2014, RuthCox

Thank you! Would you like to post a comment now?

So tell me … What did you cook up for dinner tonight? And, did you eat at the dinner table or do you eat your meals while hard at work on the computer writing that next article, like I often do?

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MBC on 03/06/2016

I have no idea and it's 5:53 pm - but I don't have any chicken today. Your recipe looks yummy tho. Thanks

RuthCox on 09/14/2014

The nice thing about Paella is that you can toss any veggies in there with some rice and it works! But this combo is so tasty that I've made it a few times now, with fresh ingredients rather than leftovers.

Eating together in the living room works for me. It was much different when I had a wee one and a husband, but with just me, it's hard to get excited about making a big deal out of a no-family meal.

happynutritionist on 09/14/2014

I took a look at this because I have leftover chicken, but a few ingredients missing...so another time, it looks delish. I am having the chicken however, with potatoes and vegies. And since it's just hubby and I, we tend to eat while watching TV or talking in the living room which is almost an extension of the kitchen.

RuthCox on 09/10/2014

Your dining table sounds like mine, a catch-all for projects! Chili sounds good. My roommate makes good chili and it's been a long while. I'll put my order in and get out of cooking for a change!

Guest on 09/10/2014

It's chili for us tonight. We'll eat in the lounge as we always do. Not that we don't have a dining table; we do. It's covered in washing to put away or iron and eBay items ready to leave tomorrow at the moment. I ADORE chicken paella, which reminds me I haven't made any in AGES *mental note*.

RuthCox on 09/10/2014

Amazingly, each of the ingredients retained their flavor in this recipe, maybe because each has a flavor all its own. I love my V-8 for cooking and for drinking, Mira. Hope you can find a similar product.

Mira on 09/10/2014

This should be very, very tasty. I like that you're using V8. I should see if there's a similar product at the supermarket here in Romania. I usually try to keep flavors separate, even if I sometimes do end up with a lot of ingredients, but in this case a veggie drink sounds wonderful.
To respond to your question, I haven't cooked tonight, but tomorrow I'm making guacamole :-)

RuthCox on 09/10/2014

It is delicious and you can substitute ingredients with whatever you have on hand,

RuthCox on 09/10/2014

I really do need to break that bad habit of eating while working and since I live in a tropical location there's no excuse for me not taking my dinner plate on deck for some fresh air and Florida sunshine!