Instant pot paella recipe so easy to make and super delicious. This pressure cooker paella is a flavourful, one pot rice dish that will make you ask for a second serving. It's just that good. Let me show you how to make paella in instant pot with this step by step guide and video.
What is Paella?
Paella is a Spanish rice dish that originated in Valencia, Spain. It is traditionally cooked on open fire with a wide pan (la paella - which means frying pan is Valencian) and got it's name from this traditional pan.
Paella has a signature yellow colour which it gets from the saffron used in cooking. It's flavorful, easy to cook and absolutely delicious.
There are different variations of paella which includes:
Seafood Paella (Padella de marisco) which include seafood such as shellfish, mussels, shrimps, squids.
Mixed paella (paella de marisco) - which makes use of seafood, meat such as chicken, sausages, vegetables and rice.
Vegetable paella, chicken paella amongst other variations.
Instant Pot Paella Recipe
This instant pot pressure cooker paella recipe is quick and cooks in less than 20 minutes with minimal preparation. It's a mixed paella as i have included chicken and shrimps in this recipe.
It's one of the regular rice dish in my house and if you've been following my blog for sometime now you'll know we love our rice dishes. From this instant pot chicken and rice to jollof rice , we love eating rice.
So back to this pressure cooker paella, i used my instant pot duo 6 quart but you can use any brand of electric pressure cooker although cooking time may vary.
Ingredients for Paella
Detailed ingredient list and directions in recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Rice
Bell pepper
Onion
Smoked paprika
Saffron
Turmeric
Black pepper
Thyme
White wine
Broth
Chicken
Shrimps
Peas
Oil
You can include other seafoods such as mussels, squids or use mixed seafood pack.
How to make Paella in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
Set instant pot to saute function then add oil in the pot of the instant pot.
Add onions and saute for a minute before adding paprika, turmeric, black pepper and thyme.
Stir then add in rice and stir fry for a minute before adding chicken. Turn off the saute function of the instant pot.
Add bell pepper, white wine and broth in the pot and stir.
Important - Deglaze the instant pot by scraping the bottom of the pot to lift up any stuck bits at the bottom.
If using uncooked shrimps or seafood pack, add into the pot at this time. If frozen, no need to defrost.
Cover the instant pot with it's lid, lock to safety and turn the knob to 'sealing'.
Set instant pot to manual pressure cook on high for 6 minutes. After the 6 minutes pressure cooking is complete, do a quick release.
Stir the rice, add peas and if using cooked shrimps, add it now and cover the instant pot with it's lid. Leave for 5 minutes then take lid off.
This next step is if you'd like to get socarrat (roasted rice at the bottom of the pan). If not, serve paella and enjoy.
Set instant pot to saute and let the paella toast at the bottom for a minute or two then turn off the instant pot.
Flavorful, delicious, best instant pot paella is ready to be enjoyed.
What to Serve with Paella
Paella does not need accompaniment but you can serve with nicely fried plantain and a good Spanish wine.
Storage and reheating
Leave to cool completely, pour in airtight container or ziploc and store in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer where it will last up to 6 months.
Reheat over the stovetop or in microwave.
Tips
- It's important to deglaze the pot after sauteeing so as to prevent burn error notice.
- Adjust black pepper to suit taste. Use less or more if needed.
- No broth? Use stock cubes like knorr, maggi or oxo plus water.
Frequently asked questions about Paella
What type of rice to use for paella?
Short grain and round rice such as calaspara and bomba are comonly used for Paella. Arborio rice and Jasmine rice are good substitute. I personally use jasmine rice and this recipe is based on that.
Can i use brown rice for paella?
Yes you can use brown rice but as this type of rice takes longer to cook, adjust cooking time. Pressure cook brown rice for 25 minutes instead of 7 minutes stated in this recipe.
What does paella taste like?
It taste delicious and asbosrb the flavour from the broth, seafood and or meat used.
Does paella need saffron?
Saffron infuses flavour in paella and give it the signature yellow colour of a classic paella.
More rice recipes on the blog
Easy instant pot rice and beans
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Recipe
Instant Pot Paella
Equipment
- Instant pot pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 2 cups Rice jasmine
- 1 medium Onion
- 1 medium Bell pepper
- 1.5 tablespoon Smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric
- 1 strand Saffron
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper or chilli flakes or to taste
- 1 teaspoon Thyme
- 250 g (0.5lb) Chicken breast or thighs, boneless cut into bite size
- 250 g (0.5lb) Shrimp
- ½ cup White wine
- 3.5 cups Broth chicken, beef or seafood
- 3 tablespoon Oil Olive oil
- ½ - 1 cup Peas
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Set instant pot to saute function then add oil in the pot of the instant pot.Add onions and saute for a minute before adding paprika, turmeric, black pepper and thyme.
- Stir then add in rice and stir fry for a minute before adding chicken. Turn off the saute function of the instant pot.
- Add bell pepper, white wine and broth in the pot and stir.Important - Deglaze the instant pot by scraping the bottom of the pot to lift up any stuck bits at the bottom.If using uncooked shrimps or seafood pack, add into the pot at this time. If frozen, no need to defrost.
- Cover the instant pot with it's lid, lock to safety and turn the knob to 'sealing'. Set instant pot to manual pressure cook on high for 6 minutes. After the 6 minutes pressure cooking is complete, do a quick release.
- Stir the rice and add in peas. If using cooked shrimps, add it now and cover the instant pot with it's lid. Leave for 5 minutes then take lid off.This next step is if you'd like to get socarrat (roasted rice at the bottom of the pan). If not, serve paella and enjoy.
- Set instant pot to saute and let the paella toast at the bottom for a minute or two then turn off the instant pot.
- Flavorful, delicious, paella is ready.
Notes
- It's important to deglaze the pot after sauteeing so as to prevent burn error notice.
- Adjust black pepper to suit taste. Use less or more if needed.
- No broth? Use stock cubes like knorr, maggi or oxo plus water.
Nutrition
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