Slow Cooker Chicken and Sausage Paella
Paella is a popular dish from Spain that has a rice base and includes ingredients such as meat, seafood, and/or vegetables.
If you like Spanish food this tasty and healthy dish is for you.
You really can’t beat any toss and go recipe.
When you choose to use your crock pot this is an absolute given.
A fellow blogger friend of mine said her 15 year old son used this recipe for a class project.
And he boasted to all his friends how easy it was to make this delicious dinner.
These are the INGREDIENTS you will need
- 3 lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs or breast, cut into pieces
- 1 T. oil
- 8 oz. cooked smoked turkey sausage, halved lengthwise and sliced
- 1 large onion sliced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tsp. dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- 1/8 tsp. saffron or 1/4 tsp. turmeric, ground
- 14.5 oz. reduced sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 c. water
- 2 c. tomatoes chopped
- 2 yellow or green peppers cut into thin bite-sized pieces
- 1 c. frozen peas
- 1/2 c. green olives drained
- Cooked Spanish rice like bomba or arborio
These are the INSTRUCTIONS for preparation:
- Optional first step: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the chicken pieces. (it may take a few batches) Place browned chicken on a paper towel to drain the fat.
- Put chicken pieces, turkey sausage and onion in a 4-5 quart slow cooker.
- Season meat and onion with garlic, thyme, black pepper, and saffron or turmeric.
- Combine broth and water together and pour over the mixture in the slow cooker.
- Cover & Crock on Low for 7 hours
- Give yourself enough time to prepare rice as directed on the package to have it ready when done, so you can serve the paella over hot rice. I like Matiz Paella Rice
- After the cooking time is complete, stir in tomatoes, sweet peppers, peas, thyme and (optional) green olives.
- Cover and keep on Low for 15 more minutes. Serve over prepared rice.
Keeping with best slow cooking practices, I always brown my meat first.
After browning the meat I start adding the initial ingredients into the cooker.
Next just pour your chicken broth and water over the meat.
Then you leave it alone for the next 7 hours.
This allows you to go to work and follow your regular routine without having to worry about getting dinner started.
When the cooker hits that 7 hour mark remove the cover and add those tomatoes, peppers, peas olives and thyme!
You just need about 15 minutes for those to cook into your dish.
Be sure to check your rice to make sure you have enough time for preparation.
When you plate your paella that is the first ingredient you need!
When you walk into your home you aren’t going to be immediately hit with the mouth watering aroma coming from the kitchen.
I have the kids set the table and just bring the plates to the Slow Cooker.
you get all your veggies, protein and grains in this meal.
Add a warm bread and this dish is ready to serve!
I have some great tips on getting the most from your crock pot at How Not To Make The Worst Crock Pot Meal Ever.
Slow Cooker Chicken and Sausage Paella
Ingredients
- 3 lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs or breast, cut into pieces
- 1 T. oil
- 8 oz. cooked smoked turkey sausage, halved lengthwise and sliced
- 1 large onion sliced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tsp. dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- 1/8 tsp. saffron or 1/4 tsp. turmeric, ground
- 14.5 oz. reduced sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 c. water
- 2 c. tomatoes chopped
- 2 yellow or green peppers cut into thin bite-sized pieces
- 1 c. frozen peas
- 1/2 c. green olives drained
- Cooked Spanish rice like bomba or arborio
Instructions
- Optional first step: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the chicken pieces. (it may take a few batches) Place browned chicken on a paper towel to drain the fat.
- Put chicken pieces, turkey sausage and onion in a 4-5 quart slow cooker.
- Season meat and onion with garlic, thyme, black pepper, and saffron or turmeric.
- Combine broth and water together and pour over the mixture in the slow cooker.
- Cover & Crock on Low for 7 hours
- Give yourself enough time to prepare rice as directed on the package to have it ready when done, so you can serve the paella over hot rice. I like Matiz Paella Rice
- After the cooking time is complete, stir in tomatoes, sweet peppers, peas, thyme and (optional) green olives.
- Cover and keep on Low for 15 more minutes. Serve over prepared rice.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin and freshness of ingredients used.
Conversion Information We get a lot of requests to help with conversions especially between various countries like Canada, the U.K. and Australia. These tables should help you make those conversions. For your convenience we have included a Conversion Chart.
Disclaimer Unless indicated recipes influenced by cookbooks, magazines or family traditions.
My friend and fellow blogger, Bev from Eclectic Red Barn made this dish. She added some changes and allowed me to share her photo. Make sure to see her post at Eclectic Red Barn
My good blogger friend, Clearissa Coward of Clearissa Coward’s Command Center prepared this Paella for her family. She added the entire process to her You Tube channel. Please check it out and subscribe and get notified as she adds more content. You won’t be disappointed
Marilyn,
I made this recipe and we loved it. We love paella so it was a no brainer. I added fresh thyme and parsley and extra peas and olives. This is a keeper. Pinned and shared.
Thanks for the great recipe. Here is a link to my post about your paella:
https://www.eclecticredbarn.com/2020/10/chicken-and-smoked-sausage-paella.html
Hugs,
Bev
Thank you so much Bev for coming back and letting me know how the dish turned out! I love your changes and the dish looks amazing. I will be right over!
Image included after recipe. Hugz
This looks delicious! This is one I may try next week. I have everything in-house so it’s a must. It looks great. Marilyn you have some of the best recipe ideas. Thanks for sharing at #omhgww.
You are just too sweet Clearissa. This is one recipe I have been putting off posting. I may rethink some others now. You never know what will make folks WANT to try something and not just say yum and move on. Stay safe. We had 3200 cases today. hugz
It’s slow cooker season! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party! Hope to keep seeing you every Sunday!!
It sure is Helen!! I love my crock pot as much as my microwave. Have a great week and stay safe!
Marilyn,
We love paella and this sounds so good and I can put it in the crock pot. Question, how to reduce the sodium? I try to reduce sodium as much as possible.
Hugs,
Bev
The biggest way is to make a substitution for the chicken broth. Bone broth is a great choice. If you need a chicken broth substitute, you can use the same amount of white wine or a combination of water with 1 tablespoon of olive oil or melted butter. Really that is the biggest culprit of sodium.
Also, the nutrition listed is for the entire recipe.
I love paella and this looks amazing! Pinned!
Thank you Veronica for the pin. I am so glad you like the paella. Let me know how it turns out for you! Enjoy!
Slow cookers are amazing! So helpful to put be able to pop something in and have it ready when the kids get home from school. Thank you for sharing at Reader Tip Tuesday. This week’s party is up and growing, hope to see you there!
I love my crock pot for those exact reasons. Ready when I am and makes the house smell so yummy. Enjoy your week.
Oh, that looks so delicious! Will pin and try it!
Thank you Pam for the pin. I know you will love this. Enjoy your week.
I love a good slow cooker recipe, especially with our busy school year! Thanks!
Thanks for linking up @LiveLifeWell!
Blessings,
Amy
Thank you Amy. I totally agree. It is rainy here today and I am itching to make a good pot of chili! Enjoy your week.
I love a slow-cooker recipe and this one looks amazing! Thanks for sharing it on Friday Frenzy!
Thank you Colleen. I love my slow cooker too. Enjoy your week.
This meal would be a big hit here at the house! Thanks for sharing! Hope you have a good weekend.
I am glad I posted it then Enjoy and let me know when you make it! Enjoy your week.
You make so many delicious things! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
I am glad the recipe appeals to you Jann! I hope you are having a peaceful weekend.
My plan is to prepare several meals for my daughter who is expecting at any time and this would be a great addition. Thank you for sharing with us this week at Celebrate Your Story and we hope you will join us again next week.
That will be so helpful and I know she will lovew you. Crock pot and stock pot meals freeze so well too. I hope she has a smooth delivery and that new grandbaby gets to spend a lot of time with you!!! Enjoy.
This looks so tasty Marilyn, would love to try some 🙂 Thanks for sharing at Creative Mondays 🙂 Hope you can join us today.
Thank you Claire!! It is delicous. I hope you get to try it. Enjoy your weekend.
Looks so yummy Marilyn! I am doing keto so I could swap out the rice for cauliflower rice and be good! Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! Hope to see ya next week!
Kim
That sounds delicious Kim. How do you like keto? I have been thinking of giving it a try forabout 6 months. My Dr said not to do it for an extended time because of some health issues. Have a great week!!
We will really enjoy the delicious flavors of your paella, this is a great combination! Thanks so much for sharing with us on Full Plate Thursday and have a great weekend!
Miz Helen
Thank you Miz Helen. This was my first try at paella. I must say it will be tried again soon! Enjoy.
This looks so yummy! I am always looking for new crock pot recipes. I am pinning this for sure!
Thank you Cathy. Thanks also for the pin! I hope you enjoy it. Enjoy your evening!
I love doing slow cooker recipes. So easy and makes the house smell so good! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party.
I totally agree! I actually use my crock pot all year. Keeps my home cool. And I am busier in the nice weather and appreciate dinner is ready when we are. Enjoy your weekend!
I have never heard of paella, but it sounds like something that my family would enjoy. Thank you for sharing.
I never tasted this either until I found it in the recipe book. It was easy and different from my normal crock pot fare. I hope you get a chance to try this! Have a lovely evening.
This sounds really good, most of the recipes I’m familiar with have seafood in them and I don’t like seafood except grilled shell fish. Pinning!
Thank you Jenna. I am very picky about my fish and usally just like cod or tuna from a can. Thank you for the pin and I am glad this appeals to you! Have a lovely day!
I cannot wait for cooler weather to try this dish. This looks so yummy. And I’ll bet the house smells wonderful!
Thanks Clearissa. The aroma when I come home is so nice!! Have a lovely day.
I can’t wait to try this. All I need is the sausage. 🙂
This chicken and sausage paella recipe is great for a cold autumn evening.