Spain on a Fork > All Recipes > Main Dishes > The FAMOUS Rice Dish from Alicante Spain | Arroz a Banda Recipe
All Recipes, Main Dishes / January 27, 2023

The FAMOUS Rice Dish from Alicante Spain | Arroz a Banda Recipe

This Spanish Seafood Rice, known as Arroz a Banda, is one of the most popular seafood rice dishes that hail from Spain. It´s packed with an insane amount of flavor, so much easier to make than a paella and it´s all done in just 40 minutes.

Spanish Seafood Rice
To make this rice dish, I used a combination of squid and shrimp. Which I bought frozen and thawed out. If you cannot find squid in your area, check with an Asian supermarket, as they typically have it in the freezer department.

Spanish Seafood Rice
What really flavors this dish is the paprika, saffron and fish broth. Make sure to use a high-quality fish broth, as it makes all the difference in the world. The one I used is from Spain and is as good as the homemade stuff.

Spanish Seafood Rice

TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: I used Spanish round rice from Valencia. But you can use any short grain rice or even arborio rice. To achieve the socarrat, which is that layer of burnt caramelized rice underneath. Just raise the heat to a medium once all the broth has been absorbed and go for 2 to 3 minutes.

Spanish Seafood Rice

Key Ingredients & Cookware I used in this Recipe:
MY PAELLA PAN
MY CHEF´S KNIFE
SAFFRON I USED
SPANISH SWEET SMOKED PAPRIKA
SPANISH FISH BROTH
EXTRA VIRGIN SPANISH OLIVE OIL

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Watch the Video Below on How to Make this Spanish Seafood Rice Dish

Spanish Seafood Rice
5 from 1 vote
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Spanish Seafood Rice | Arroz a Banda

Course Main Course
Cuisine Spanish
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 846 kcal
Author Albert Bevia @ Spain on a Fork

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 60 ml
  • 1 cleaned tube of squid
  • 12 raw jumbo shrimp peeled & deveined
  • 5 cloves garlic
  • 2 tomatoes
  • 1 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika 2.50 grams
  • 3 cups fish broth 720 ml
  • 1/4 tsp saffron threads .17 grams
  • 1 cup Spanish round rice 200 grams
  • 1 lemon
  • pinch sea salt

Instructions

  1. Roughly chop the garlic, finely grate the tomatoes, pat dry the tube of squid and shrimp with paper towels, then cut the tube of squid and shrimp into bite-sized pieces

  2. Heat a paella pan with a medium heat and add in the olive oil

  3. After 1 minute season the olive oil with sea salt and add in the squid and shrimp, mix with the olive oil, after 1 to 2 minutes add in the chopped garlic, continue to mix, after 1 minute add in the paprika, quickly mix together, then add in the grated tomato and season with sea salt, mix together and then simmer without mixing

  4. Once the grated tomato has slightly thickened, about 3 to 4 minutes, add in the broth and the saffron, raise to a medium-high heat, mix and bring to a boil, then add in the rice, give it one final mix and then simmer on a medium-high heat without mixing

  5. After 9 to 10 minutes and most of the broth has been absorbed by the rice, but there´s still some broth left, lower to a low-medium heat, simmer for 4 to 5 minutes or until all the broth has been absorbed

  6. Once there is virtually no broth left in the pan, raise the heat back to a medium heat and go for 2 to 3 minutes, this is to achieve the socarrat, then remove the pan from the heat and cover with a dish cloth

  7. After a couple minutes uncover the pan and garnish with lemon wedges, enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Get the Saffron I used to make this Recipe

Nutrition Facts
Spanish Seafood Rice | Arroz a Banda
Amount Per Serving
Calories 846 Calories from Fat 288
% Daily Value*
Fat 32g49%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Trans Fat 0.01g
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g
Monounsaturated Fat 21g
Cholesterol 291mg97%
Sodium 1404mg61%
Potassium 1083mg31%
Carbohydrates 99g33%
Fiber 6g25%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 42g84%
Vitamin A 1766IU35%
Vitamin C 51mg62%
Calcium 144mg14%
Iron 7mg39%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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9 Comments

  1. Alicante: How Many Days Do You Need When Visiting? [2023 Guide]

    […] foodie adventure in Alicante is complete without sampling the local specialties. From paella to arroz a banda, you’ll get to taste the unique flavors that make Alicante’s cuisine so […]

    21 . Jul . 2023
  2. Heather Ball

    Love your recipes!

    26 . Mar . 2023
    • Spain on a Fork

      Thank you! Much love 🙂

      28 . Mar . 2023
  3. Mike

    5 stars
    Made this tonight and it is an instant favorite!

    01 . Feb . 2023
    • Spain on a Fork

      So happy to hear that! Thanks for the comment 🙂 Much love

      01 . Feb . 2023
  4. Lee Kaplan

    Since no one in our household is fond of squid or shrimp, is this doable with cod or other white fish, cut into 1-2” cubes?

    27 . Jan . 2023
    • Spain on a Fork

      Absolutely! Much love 🙂

      30 . Jan . 2023
  5. Ramya

    Cant wait to make this soon for me can i use mushrooms / tofu and vegetable broth i never had spanish seafood rice before perfect for my after office meals love your recipes as always brightens up my day everyday after work

    27 . Jan . 2023
    • Spain on a Fork

      Sounds great Ramya! Thanks for the comment 🙂 Much love

      30 . Jan . 2023

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