This Paleo Paella is a low carb version of traditional paella that is made with cauliflower rice! An easy weeknight dinner that’s healthy. It’s also Whole30, and Keto.
Paella is a dish that I had been wanting to try to “de-grain” for a long time but was always worried that the end result would be a spicy plate of mush.
It turns out I had nothing to worry about but because this dish completely exceeded any expectation I had on what a grain free paella would taste like. The flavours are spot on, exactly like traditional paella and the texture is similar to the Spanish rice dish, but a whole lot lighter due to the substitution of cauliflower. I was even able to get the cauliflower rice to caramelize and stick to the bottom of the pan, my favourite part about traditional paella.
This Paleo Paella is very easy to make and incredibly versatile. In this recipe I used pancetta, chorizo, chicken and prawns but you can really use a combination of any meat or seafood you have on hand including pork, beef, fish, mussels, shrimp or squid. To keep the texture of this dish as similar to rice based paella as possible, be sure to only pulse the cauliflower for a few seconds in the food processor so the rice is quite coarse (not fine and powdery like cauliflower couscous).
Paleo Paella is a terrific mid week dinner (the leftovers are great to take for lunch the next day) but is equally as impressive as a dish to serve to guests. I hope you enjoy!
Here are a few other cauliflower rice recipes you will love:
- Chicken & Cauliflower Rice Soup
- Beef & Cauliflower Rice Mexican Casserole
- Broccoli, Chicken & Cauliflower Rice Casserole
- Mexican Cauliflower Rice
- Cauliflower Tabbouleh Salad
- Greek Salad with Cauliflower Couscous
If you make this recipe let me know in the comment section below, I would love to hear what you think or take a photo and tag me (@everylastbite_) on Instagram, I love seeing your photos!
Cauliflower Rice Paella
Ingredients
- 1 small head cauliflower (3 cups cauliflower rice)
- 3 boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into small pieces
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped pancetta
- 3/4 cup chopped spicy chorizo
- 6 prawns heads removed by shells still on
- 1 onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 red pepper chopped
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp saffron threads
- pinch of salt
- 1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup frozen peas
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
- lemon wedges
Instructions
- Heat 1 tsp olive oil in a frying pan on medium high heat. Place the cubed chicken in the frying pan and cook for 5 minutes, stirring to ensure nothing burns. Add in the chopped pancetta and chorizo and cook until the chorizo has began to brown and the pancetta has become crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove the chicken, chorizo and pancetta from the pan and set aside in a bowl.
- Place the prawns in the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes until pink, and then place in the bowl with the other cooked meats.
- Add in the diced onion, red peppers, garlic and sprinkle with salt. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the onions and peppers begin to soften and then add in the paprika and saffron, white wine vinegar, chicken stock and tomatoes. Let simmer for 1-2 minutes.
- Increase the heat to hight and add the cauliflower rice, peas (if not Whole30), chicken, pancetta and chorizo in the pan with the sauce, stir and then cover to allow the cauliflower to cook for approximately 10 minutes until the rice becomes tender but not mushy and begins to stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Before serving arrange the prawns on top of the paella and sprinkle with the chopped parsley. Serve with slices of lemon.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tried This Recipe?
Leave a comment below and let us know how it was!
This isn’t paleo. It has peas and vinegar. But it looks really good otherwise! Can’t wait to make it tomorrow.
First time ever making paella. So glad to have found this recipe with “caulirice”. It was much less work and more delicious than I had imagined.
I used beef chorizo and smoked turkey sausage instead of pancetta (we don’t eat pork). Everyone loved it, even my picky hubby.
This delicious and keto – Whaaaat?!! My family loved it. I added cumin along with the paprika because, well, I love cumin! Amazing. Thanks so much for this great recipe!!
I have not tried this recipe yet, but wondered if you had ever made it with the frozen cauliflower rice?
I havent tried it with frozen cauliflower rice but have heard feedback from others who have said its turned out well
I absolutely love, love, love this recipe.I have made this twice and my husband who doesn’t “like cauliflower” ate 3 (!!) helpings the first time we made it!! I love how I feel afterwards without the rice. The flavors marry well and it’s sooo good as leftovers!! Thank you for another great recipe, I have passed it along to several friends!!
I’m so happy to hear that it was even a hit with the cauliflower haters 😃 Thanks for sharing the recipe with your friends!
Thank you very much for this recipe. My husband was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes a year ago and I have recreated about 90% of my recipes to be Diabetic friendly. I was having a terrible time keeping his sugars low until I locked us into a Keto for 2 months and replaced it with a diabetic diet. I didn’t think I would be able to replicate a decent Paella (I’ve tried 3-4 other recipes). I tried your as the last one before I would give up. Everything about your recipe is very close to my recipe except the rice and some additional spices. We were amazed at the bite! This is delicious and wonderful. He and I had seconds. Thanks again!
If I want to use “regular” rice…. would I just add in precooked rice at the same time as the Cauliflower rice? Or add in uncooked rice???
Thank you! This looks so delish! ❤
I would add in uncooked rice but the cooking time will increase as rice will take longer to cook then cauliflower. Let me know how it turns out!
Ive just cooked the paella and it was extremely delicious. Its a great recipe. Thanks. I shall make it often..
So happy to hear that you enjoyed it Lesley!
I gotta say this is truly impressive, I make a version as well with cauliflower, yours truly looks amazing…bravo!
Thank you!
Could you give the nutritional information please? I don’t really know how low in carbs this low-carb meal is; it looks great by the way! I’m going on keto and I want to be very careful in how many carbs I consume.