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Paella Italiana
Recipe courtesy Michael Chiarello

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 2 pounds total
Finely ground sea salt, preferably gray salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
6 ounces spicy dried Italian sausage, cut crosswise into 1/8-inch
slices (quartered if large)
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and de-veined
3 1/2 teaspoons Spanish paprika, divided
2 tablespoons whole fresh oregano leaves
1 cup finely chopped yellow onion
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
3 cups arborio rice
6 cups chicken stock
1 small can (12 ounces) peeled crushed tomatoes (or 1 pound fresh
tomatoes, peeled, seeded or quartered)
1 teaspoon saffron
Pepperoncini, for serving
Remove the tenderloins (small muscle on the underside) from the
chicken breasts. Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise. Cut all
the chicken into 1 1/2-inch pieces. Season with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
Heat the oil in a large ovenproof pot over high heat. When the oil is
almost smoking, add the chicken. Cook until well browned on 2 sides,
turning once, 6 to 7 minutes total. Add the sausage to the pan. Cook
for 10 seconds.
Season the shrimp with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add
the shrimp to the pan, stir once then cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir
in 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika and the oregano. Pour the mixture onto a
baking sheet to cool.
Return the pan to high heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery. Pour
the juices from the baking sheet into the pan. Reduce the heat to
medium-low. Cook until the vegetables are soft, but not brown, about
10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Raise the heat to high. Add 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and
remaining 2 teaspoons paprika. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring
occasionally. Add the rice. Stir to evenly coat the grains with oil.
Cook for 1 minute. Add the stock and bring it up to a simmer. Add the
tomatoes and stir to incorporate. Sprinkle in the saffron. Taste and
adjust the seasonings, if needed. Cook until the liquid comes back to
a simmer. Cover and put the pan in the oven. Cook for 15 minutes.
Remove the pan from the oven. Return the chicken, sausage, and shrimp
to the pan. Cover the pan again and put it back in the oven to cook
for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until everything is warm.
Serve the paella warm with a bowl of pepperoncini on the side. Invite
guest to add a couple pepperoncini to the servings and drizzle some
of their vinegar on the paella.