Simple Meal for a Crowd

Somewhere in a giant stack of recipes I pulled out this oven-baked paella recipe. It sounded impossible to dump chicken stock on rice and bake it, but it turned out great and would be very easy for a large-ish crowd. We have many friend on different diets, especially gluten-free ones, so I am always looking for something not overly labor intensive for company that everyone can eat. These were the ingredients called for, but you could easily swap out proteins and veggies and spices. All you have to do is sautee your protein, then veggies, add rice, and throw everything into a casserole dish. I even prepped it in advance and kept it in the fridge so I would just have to pop it in the oven.

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces, or 4 legs and 4 thighs
• Salt and pepper
• 16 ounces sausage (chorizo or kielbasa) cut into half-moon slices
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 cups medium-grain rice
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Pinch of saffron
• 1 cup seeded and chopped tomato
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1/2 cup frozen peas