Saffron-spiced cauliflower rice, chicken and seafood combine to make a keto paella dish that you’ll be proud to share! With 5 grams net carbs in each serving, this will become one of your favorite keto-friendly dinner recipes.
What Is Paella
Originally from Spain, Paella is a rice-based dish that’s filled with different kinds of meat. The name paella actually means “frying pan,” so it’s a Spanish skillet meal.
The base is usually rice (just like stir fry) and then it’s filled with meat, seafood, and veggies. There are a bunch of different varieties of paella out there.
Almost all of them have one thing in common: the rice is seasoned with saffron. This is spice is what makes the rice look so golden.
And if you’re a fan of low-carb versions of classic Spanish recipes, then you will probably really enjoy low-carb Arroz Con Pollo next! It’s one of my favorite chicken recipes of all time.
Keto Paella
Since paella isn’t usually sweetened, the only change I had to make for it to be keto-friendly was to use cauliflower rice instead of white rice. Paella usually uses Bomba rice, but cauliflower rice is the next best thing.
I haven’t tried it with any other kind of keto-friendly rice. But I bet Miracle Rice will work fantastically.
I wouldn’t suggest trying it with broccoli or zucchini rice since those veggies are softer and might not hold up as well during the cooking process.
Best Meat For Paella
One of my favorite things about paella is that you can use any type of meat that you want. Just like with fried rice, this is a really easy and fun way to use up any leftover meat that you have.
I used chicken, mussels, and shrimp. But if you have leftover pork loin, chicken thighs, or even turkey breast, add them to the skillet with the rice.
This is a fantastic way to stretch your food and make it last longer. When you add it to the rice and spices, you won’t even be able to tell that you’re eating leftovers.
How To Cook Mussels
The easiest way to cook mussels is to steam them. I like this recipe for steamed mussels, but you can go extra simple and just steam them in a cup of clam juice.
Let the mussels sit in the boiling clam juice, with a lid on the pot, for about 5 minutes. You’ll know the mussels are done cooking when the shells open up.
Can you leave the mussels out of this recipe? Yes, you don’t have to cook the paella with the mussels.
It will taste delicious with any type of meat or seafood that you want. Try it with some seared scallops for a fun twist!
What To Eat With Seafood
Since this is a classic Spanish recipe, serve it with your favorite Spanish sides. Grabbing some keto-friendly dippers and enjoying your favorite dips with them!
Keto Radish Salsa is bursting with flavors, Low-Carb Avocado Feta Salsa is a creamy and zesty dip. Keto queso dip with sausage has a bit of heat to it, and you can never go wrong with a bowl of classic easy keto guacamole.
I suggest serving it with keto vanilla mousse for something sweet at the end.
Storing It
Mussels are difficult to reheat, so I suggest storing the paella without them. Place everything in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Then, reheat the keto paella in the microwave or in a skillet. The skillet will help the shrimp to crisp back up just like fresh, so that’s the way I prefer to reheat the leftovers.
Keto Paella Recipe
Here’s the list of ingredients and step by step photos that you’ll need to make this keto paella recipe. The exact measurements and instructions are in the printable recipe card, just a little below.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
Servings: 6
Net Carbs: 5 net carbs per serving
Ingredients
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
- Jumbo Shrimp
- Mussels
- Cauliflower Rice
- Olive Oil
- Onion
- Red and Green Bell Peppers
- Minced Garlic
- Chicken Broth
- Saffron Thread
- Paprika
- Fire Roasted Tomatoes
Directions
Add the olive oil to a skillet over medium high heat. Place the chicken in the skillet, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Saute until cooked through, and then remove to set aside.
Saute the shrimp in the same skillet seasoned with salt and pepper to taste until they are cooked through. Set aside.
Stir in the onions and peppers, and saute until softened. Mix in the garlic, and saute for 30 seconds.
Pour in the fire roasted tomatoes and chicken broth.
Place the cauliflower rice in the skillet, and toss to combine well.
Add in the saffron thread and paprika. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Return the chicken, shrimp and mussels to the skillet, and stir to combine well before serving.
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Keto Paella
Equipment
- Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 pound Jumbo Shrimp peeled and deveined with tails off
- 1/2 pound Mussels steamed
- 4 cups Cauliflower Rice cooked
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1/2 Onion Chopped
- 1/2 Red Bell Pepper Chopped
- 1/2 Green Bell Pepper chopped
- 3 tsp Minced Garlic
- 1/4 cup Chicken Broth
- 1 pinch Saffron thread
- 1/2 tsp Paprika
- 1 cup Fire Roasted Tomatoes drained
Instructions
- Add the olive oil to a skillet over medium high heat.
- Place the chicken in the skillet, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Saute until cooked through, and then remove to set aside.
- Saute the shrimp in the same skillet seasoned with salt and pepper to taste until they are cooked through. Set aside.
- Stir in the onions and peppers, and saute until softened.
- Mix in the garlic, and saute for 30 seconds.
- Pour in the fire roasted tomatoes and chicken broth.
- Place the cauliflower rice in the skillet, and toss to combine well.
- Add in the saffron thread and paprika. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Return the chicken, shrimp and mussels to the skillet, and stir to combine well before serving.
Notes
Net Carbs: 5 Net Carbs Per Serving
The nutritional information for this recipe is calculated as a courtesy and is an approximate only. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipes on this site.
Keto Shrimp Recipes
If you enjoyed this keto mussels and shrimp paella, here are some more delicious low-carb recipes with shrimp that you should make next. From spicy to sweet, there are a bunch of different ways to cook shrimp.
