A super-flavorful twist on traditional paella with a roasted tomatillo verde sauce making tender chicken thighs, Spanish chorizo, and plump grains of Arborio rice ultra-happy.
2poundsboneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into 1 ½-inch chunks
2teaspoonsground cumin
1teaspoonkosher salt
½teaspoonground black pepper
1onion, diced (about 2 cups)
1red bell pepper, diced (about 1 cup)
4garlic cloves, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
2cupsarborio rice
½cupdry white wine
4cupschicken stock
1cupfrozen peas, thawed
1cupfresh cilantro, chopped
1lime, zest and juice
Lime wedges for garnish
Instructions
ROASTED TOMATILLO VERDE
Preheat oven to 400°F. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss tomatillos, onion, peppers, and garlic with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast 20-25 minutes. Let vegetables cool enough to peel garlic and remove seeds and charred skin from the peppers. Transfer all to a blender or food processor, including accumulated juices and oil. Blend until smooth (be sure to leave an opening for steam to escape when blending hot ingredients). Next, blend in lime juice, zest, cilantro, and honey.
PAELLA
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Heat olive oil in a large, high-rimmed sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the chorizo and cook until crisp and fat is rendered, about 5 minutes. Remove the chorizo to a paper towel lined dish. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with the cumin, salt and pepper. Add the seasoned chicken thighs to the same pan. Brown on each side 3-4 minutes. You may have to cook the chicken in batches; don’t overcrowd the pan. Transfer chicken to an earthenware casserole or 13x9 baking dish. Mix drained chorizo and ¼ cup verde sauce in baking dish with the chicken. Set aside.
Add the onion and bell pepper to same sauté pan and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and stir 1 minute. Mix in rice, and stir 1 minute more. Pour in wine to deglaze bottom of pan. Stir until wine is absorbed. Add 2 cups broth and 1 cup verde sauce, and stir to combine. Cook until liquid is mostly absorbed, stirring frequently, 8-10 minutes. Add the remaining 2 cups broth and 1 more cup of verde sauce. Once bubbling, cover with heavy duty foil and transfer to preheated oven. Bake 30 minutes. Remove the foil, stir in another ½-1 cup verde sauce. Cover again with foil and bake 10-15 minutes longer. Remove from oven, and stir in peas, cilantro, lime zest, and juice. Drizzle the top with remaining verde sauce, or pass around in a separate bowl, and serve.
Notes
*Salsa verde can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.