Quick & Easy Instant Pot Paella: The Ultimate Seafood and Chicken Recipe

Experience the rich, vibrant flavors of traditional Spanish paella, reimagined for your busy lifestyle! This incredible Instant Pot Paella recipe delivers an authentic taste with a fraction of the effort, featuring a delectable mix of tender chicken, succulent shrimp, fresh mussels, and tender calamari. Get ready for a flavorful one-pot meal that comes together in just 15 minutes of active cooking time, making it perfect for weeknights or impressive entertaining.

Close-up view of Instant Pot Paella on a large neutral round plate with a fork, showcasing chicken, shrimp, and rice.

Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Paella Recipe

Unbelievably Fast: Forget spending hours over a paella pan! The Instant Pot transforms this traditionally lengthy dish into a quick-cooking marvel. While a classic paella can take upwards of 30-45 minutes (plus prep), our Instant Pot version is cooked in approximately 10 minutes under pressure, giving you a full, flavorful meal on the table in about 15 minutes total active time. This speed is a game-changer for busy evenings when you crave something special without the fuss.
A Healthy and Wholesome Meal: This isn’t just fast; it’s genuinely good for you! Packed with lean protein from chicken and a variety of seafood, along with nutritious vegetables like bell peppers, tomatoes, and peas, and a base of wholesome rice, this Instant Pot Paella offers a balanced, complete meal in a single pot. It’s rich in flavor without being heavy, making it an excellent choice for a nutritious family dinner.
Effortless Cleanup: One of the biggest advantages of Instant Pot cooking is the minimal cleanup. By preparing this entire paella in a single pot, you significantly reduce the amount of dishes. No multiple pans, no extensive scrubbing – just one pot to wash, leaving you more time to enjoy your delicious creation and less time at the sink. It’s the ultimate convenience for a gourmet-quality dish.
Bursting with Authentic Flavor: Despite its speed, this Instant Pot paella doesn’t compromise on taste. The pressure cooking method infuses the rice with all the savory notes from the chicken broth, aromatic spices like paprika and saffron, and the fresh seafood, resulting in a deeply flavorful and aromatic dish reminiscent of Spanish culinary traditions. The saffron provides that characteristic golden hue and subtle, earthy aroma that makes paella so unique.
Impressive for Guests: While quick and easy, this vibrant paella looks and tastes incredibly impressive. The colorful medley of ingredients, from the golden rice to the pink shrimp and dark mussels, creates a visually stunning dish that’s perfect for entertaining. Your guests will be amazed at the depth of flavor and presentation, and you’ll love how little effort it took!

Chef’s Expert Tips for Perfect Instant Pot Paella

Mastering your Instant Pot paella is simple with these insider tips:

Crucial Deglazing Step: After you’ve sautéed your chicken and vegetables and just before adding the rice and broth, it’s absolutely vital to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of your Instant Pot. Use a wooden spoon or a silicone spatula to thoroughly deglaze the pot. If too much food remains stuck, your Instant Pot may trigger a “burn” warning, preventing it from coming to pressure. This crucial step ensures even cooking and prevents scorching, guaranteeing a smooth and successful pressure cooking cycle.
Customize Your Seafood Medley: One of the best aspects of this paella is its versatility. Feel free to adjust the seafood to your liking! If shrimp or mussels aren’t your preference, you can easily omit them or swap them for other quick-cooking seafood like firm white fish (cod or halibut, cut into chunks), scallops, or even clams. For those who aren’t fans of shellfish, simply increase the chicken quantity or add some diced chorizo for a different layer of flavor. This recipe is incredibly adaptable to personal tastes and what you have on hand.
The Power of Prep (Mise en Place): The Instant Pot cooks quickly, especially once it comes to pressure. To ensure a seamless cooking experience and keep the momentum going, I highly recommend prepping and chopping all your ingredients ahead of time. Measure out your spices, chop your onions and bell peppers, mince your garlic, and cut your chicken. Having everything ready to go before you hit “Sauté” will make the cooking process much more enjoyable and stress-free.
Optimal Rice Choice: While traditional paella calls for “Bomba rice” (a short-grain Spanish rice known for absorbing a lot of liquid without becoming mushy), any good quality short-grain white rice will work wonderfully in this Instant Pot recipe. Avoid long-grain rice, as it can become too sticky or mushy under pressure. Short-grain varieties maintain their structure and absorb flavors beautifully.
Saffron Infusion: Saffron is a key ingredient for authentic paella flavor and color. To maximize its potency, gently warm the chicken broth and steep the saffron threads in it for a few minutes before adding it to the Instant Pot. This helps release the saffron’s vibrant color and delicate aroma, distributing it evenly throughout the dish.
Layering the Seafood (Don’t Stir!): When adding the seafood (shrimp, mussels, calamari) and frozen peas, it’s important to place them on top of the rice and other ingredients in the exact order specified without stirring. This layering technique prevents the delicate seafood from overcooking and ensures that the mussels steam open perfectly, while the rice cooks evenly at the bottom. Stirring at this stage can also interfere with the pressure build-up.
A Moment to Rest: Once the paella is cooked and the pressure has been released, remove the lid and let the paella rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld further and the rice to fully set, resulting in a more cohesive and delicious dish.
Serving Suggestions and Garnishes: Enhance your paella experience with simple garnishes. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens all the flavors, and a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or cilantro adds a touch of color and herbaceousness. A crusty bread on the side is perfect for soaking up any delicious juices.

Overhead view of a plate of Instant Pot paella on a wooden tabletop, garnished with lemon wedges and parsley.

More Must-Try Instant Pot Recipes

If you’re loving the convenience and delicious results from your Instant Pot, you absolutely need to explore these other fantastic recipes:

Instant Pot Black Rice
Instant Pot Italian Sausage
Beer-Infused Instant Pot Brats
Instant Pot Chicken Paprikash
Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage

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5 from 1 vote

Instant Pot Paella

Prep: 5 minutes

Cook: 10 minutes

Total: 15 minutes

The Instant Pot gives you delicious paella that’s ready to eat in just 15 minutes. This recipe delivers a satisfying and flavorful meal, simplifying the traditional Spanish classic for your kitchen.

Cheryl Malik Cheryl Malik

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6 servings

Ingredients

▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
▢ 1 yellow onion chopped
▢ 1 bell pepper chopped
▢ 3 garlic cloves minced
▢ 1 cup roma tomatoes diced
▢ 1 teaspoon paprika
▢ 1 teaspoon salt
▢ pinch of saffron threads
▢ 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
▢ 1 ½ cups short grain white rice see Notes
▢ 2 cups chicken broth
▢ ½ pound shrimp peeled, tail-on
▢ ½ pound mussels
▢ ½ pound calamari rings
▢ 1 cup frozen peas

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Equipment

Instant Pot

Instructions

Place olive oil in Instant Pot and select the sauté setting. Allow the oil to heat thoroughly. Once hot, add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic. Sauté for approximately 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften and become fragrant.
Once the vegetables are tender, incorporate the diced Roma tomatoes, paprika, salt, and a pinch of saffron threads. Stir well to combine all the spices with the vegetables and cook for about 1 minute to allow the flavors to bloom. Next, add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the pot. Continue to cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring, until the chicken begins to turn opaque on the outside.
Add the short-grain rice to the Instant Pot and stir it gently to coat with the other ingredients. Pour in the chicken broth. Immediately use a sturdy spoon or spatula to carefully scrape up any browned bits that may be stuck to the bottom of the Instant Pot. This step is crucial to prevent a “burn” warning during pressure cooking. Ensure the bottom is clean.
Carefully place the peeled shrimp, mussels, calamari rings, and frozen peas into the Instant Pot, arranging them on top of the rice and chicken. It is very important to add them in this exact order and to NOT stir the contents of the pot after this step. Secure the lid onto the Instant Pot, ensuring the sealing valve is set to the “Sealing” position. Set the Instant Pot to Manual (or Pressure Cook) mode on High Pressure for 5 minutes.
Once the cooking cycle is complete, perform a Quick Release by carefully turning the steam release valve to the “Venting” position. Allow all the steam to escape until the pressure valve drops completely. Once safe to open, remove the lid. Give the paella a gentle stir to combine the seafood with the rice, then serve warm immediately, perhaps with a wedge of lemon.

Notes

Short Grain Rice: For the most authentic texture and best absorption of flavors in paella, a short-grain rice is highly recommended. Traditional Spanish paella often uses “Bomba Rice,” which is known for its ability to absorb large amounts of liquid without becoming mushy, while still maintaining its shape. If Bomba rice is unavailable, any other quality short-grain white rice (such as Arborio or a Spanish short-grain variety) will yield excellent results in this recipe. Avoid using long-grain rice, as it tends to become too soft and sticky under pressure.
Saffron Substitutions: While saffron is key for authentic flavor and color, if it’s unavailable or too costly, you can use a tiny pinch of turmeric for color. However, be aware that turmeric will impart a different flavor profile. A mix of smoked paprika and a very small amount of yellow food coloring can also mimic the visual appeal without saffron’s distinct taste.
Storage & Reheating: Leftover Instant Pot paella can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm portions in a microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of chicken broth or water to prevent drying out.

Nutrition Information

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

Whether you’re new to Instant Pot cooking or a seasoned pro, this Paella recipe is a fantastic way to enjoy a complex, flavorful meal with minimal effort. Its rich blend of chicken, seafood, and aromatic rice makes it a standout dish that’s both comforting and impressive. Don’t hesitate to experiment with your favorite seafood or add a sprinkle of fresh herbs for an extra touch. Dive into this one-pot wonder tonight!