When you need to get dinner on the table fast for the kids try my Easy 10 Minute Paella
Cooking for children during a busy week can feel chaotic. Even with meal planning, some evenings still find you standing in front of the fridge wondering what to make. For those nights I keep a handful of quick, reliable recipes that take minutes to prepare and that the kids enjoy.
One of my go-to dishes is this speedy 10 Minute Paella. It’s not traditional paella, but it’s a fast, tasty, family-friendly meal that works perfectly on busy weeknights.
To keep prep time to a minimum I use several frozen ingredients. Frozen diced onion, minced garlic and sliced chorizo save time on chopping and still add great flavour. Start by frying these in a little oil for about a minute to release their aroma.
Next, add frozen peas and pre-cooked chicken. I usually keep a packet of microwave rice on hand — adding it straight to the pan keeps things quick. Season with smoked paprika for a warm, smoky note. A couple of tablespoons of water will help loosen the rice so it heats evenly.
There’s no need to cook the microwave rice beforehand — it will heat through as you stir everything together in the pan. Cook for three to four minutes until the rice is piping hot and the peas are thawed and tender. If the mixture seems dry, add an extra tablespoon of water.
The whole dish takes just a few minutes of hands-on cooking. I usually serve the paella straight from the pan with chopped raw vegetables on the side — carrot sticks, cucumber slices and cherry tomatoes are easy, colourful options that kids often enjoy.
This recipe is simple, flexible and quick to prepare, making it a practical weekday dinner that still feels satisfying. If you want to add variety, swap the chorizo for diced ham or turkey, or use different frozen vegetables depending on what you have available.
If you enjoyed this quick paella, try my other speedy family recipes for more easy midweek meals.
Quick Paella – 10 Minute Meal
Description
When you need to get dinner on the table fast for the kids try my Easy 10 Minute Paella
Ingredients
- 1 tsp oil
- ¼ onion, diced (or ¼ packet frozen diced onion)
- 1 garlic clove, crushed (or frozen minced garlic)
- 25g chorizo, chopped (frozen sliced chorizo works well)
- 50g frozen peas
- 60g cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 packet microwave rice (250g)
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
- 2–3 tbsp water
Instructions
- Add the oil, onion, garlic and chorizo to a small frying pan and cook for 1 minute over medium heat.
- Stir in the peas, cooked chicken, microwave rice and smoked paprika, and add 2 tablespoons of water.
- Mix well and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the rice is piping hot and the peas are thawed.
- If the mixture seems dry, add the extra tablespoon of water and stir through.
- Serve immediately with chopped vegetables on the side, such as carrot sticks, cucumber and cherry tomatoes.
