Free-range Smoky Chicken & Vegan 'Nduja Paella

Free-range Smoky Chicken & Vegan 'Nduja Paella

A Spanish classic bursting with smoky depth. Succulent free-range British chicken and warm vegan 'nduja - you'll simmer them with vibrant peppers, sweet onions and warm smoked paprika for a rich, flavourful paella. Finished with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon for the perfect balance.

Prep in 10 High protein 6 plants Low sat fat

Serving size

Cook time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Spanish
Food group: Poultry

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Cooking Instructions

The protein cooking time listed in this recipe has been updated.

As of December 2025, we’ve revised cooking times for all our proteins to reflect improved food safety guidance.

Check out the latest recommended times in our Cooking Guidelines.

Before you start

  • Pull out a large frying pan, a sieve, a grater & a measuring jug

Cook the chicken

  • Heat the large frying pan on a medium-high heat with 2 tsp oil (we used the 30cm HexClad Hybrid Pan). Once hot, add the chicken and cook for 6 mins, until golden. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper

Meanwhile, prep the veg

  • Roughly dice the onion. Finely grate the garlic. Roughly chop the olives
  • Zest and quarter the lemon. Roughly chop the parsley. Dice the peppers into 2cm chunks. Rinse the spinach
  • Once the chicken has been cooking for 6 mins, add the onion and pepper to the pan and cook for 5 mins, until the veg is softening

Build the paella

  • Add the lemon zest, vegan 'nduja, garlic and paprika & oregano to the pan. Cook for 1 min more, until the chicken is cooked through
  • Add the rice, olives, 200ml water and the stock powder. Stir to combine, breaking the rice up with a wooden spoon
  • Cook for 2 mins, until thickened
  • Stir in the spinach and half the parsley. Cook for a final 1 min, until wilted. Add a splash of water if it's a little thick

Plate up

  • Check your chicken is cooked through by cutting a large piece in half; the flesh should be white and the juices running clear
  • Add a squeeze of lemon juice and season to taste with salt and pepper
  • Serve the paella into bowls. Scatter over the remaining parsley. Garnish with the remaining lemon wedges

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