Sheet Pan Paella

There’s something undeniably festive about paella, thanks to its vibrant colors, smoky aroma, and the way it brings everyone to the table. This sheet pan paella takes inspiration from the traditional Spanish dish and gives it a streamlined, weeknight-friendly spin. No paella pan required—just a sheet pan and a little layering.

The secret is building flavor in layers. First, you roast the chicken until it's golden. Then you add a quick sofrito of tomatoes, peppers, and onions. Short-grain rice and warm broth come next, along with smoky Spanish chorizo. Everything bakes gently in the oven until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through. Nestling in shrimp at the last minute keeps them plump and juicy, and a scattering of peas adds sweetness and color.

What’s the best rice to use for paella?

Traditional paella is made with short-grain rice, which has the perfect texture to soak up the flavorful broth without turning mushy. Spanish bomba rice is the gold standard—it’s small, sturdy, and can absorb nearly three times its volume in liquid. If you can’t find it, Arborio (commonly used for risotto) or Calrose rice are great substitutes. The key is choosing a short-grain variety that stays firm and distinct as it cooks.

Why do you add warm broth to the pan?

Warming the broth before adding it to the sheet pan helps jump-start the cooking process. The rice will start softening in the hot liquid right away, which reduces the cooking time in the oven and helps the grains cook evenly. The result is tender rice with just the right bite.

What is sofrito?
Sofrito is the savory flavor base at the heart of many Spanish dishes, including paella. It’s typically made by slowly cooking aromatics like onions, garlic, and tomatoes in olive oil until everything becomes soft, sweet, and deeply flavorful. In this recipe, the sofrito ingredients are roasted on the sheet pan, which helps them caramelize and makes the process wonderfully hands-off.

Can you skip the seafood?

Absolutely! While shrimp is a classic paella addition, you can easily leave it out if you prefer a land-based version. The dish is still packed with flavor, thanks to the rich chorizo, seasoned chicken, and bright sofrito.