--- title: "Authentic Chilean Paila Marina: The Ultimate Seafood Stew Recipe" description: "Chilean Paila Marina is a delicious traditional dish, known for its hearty broth, and can be prepared with any seafood available according to the season." url: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/tradicional-paila-marina-recipe/ date: 2023-12-05 modified: 2026-02-05 author: "Carlos Uhart M." image: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Chilean-Tradicional-Paila-Marina-Recipe.jpg categories: ["Main Dishes"] tags: ["Main Dishes"] type: post lang: en --- # Authentic Chilean Paila Marina: The Ultimate Seafood Stew Recipe [Versión en Español](https://comidaschilenas.com/receta-de-paila-marina/) ![A steaming clay pot filled with a rich orange broth, mussels, clams, and a thick medallion of conger eel, garnished with fresh cilantro.](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Chilean-Tradicional-Paila-Marina-Recipe.jpg) Chilean Paila Marina is a delicious traditional dish, known for its hearty broth, and can be prepared with any seafood available according to the season. ## Nutrition Facts Each serving of Chilean traditional paila marina contains approximately 430 kcal, 22 g of carbohydrates, 18 g of fat, 38 g of protein, 3 g of fiber, 2 g of sugars, 160 mg of cholesterol, and 980 mg of sodium. ## How to Make Homemade Paila Marina The fish should be firm, preferably conger eel, accompanied by a variety of shellfish such as clams, mussels, small clams, sea urchins, razor clams, and shrimp, served in a clay pot heated directly over the fire. **Preparation:** 45 minutes **Cooking:** 30 minutes **Servings:** 6 people ### Ingredients - 1 kg clams in their shells - 500 g mussels in their shells - 500 ml fish or vegetable broth - 200 ml white wine - 150 g razor clams or small clams - 4 conger eel medallions - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 1 cup preserved tomatoes - ½ onion, finely diced - Chili sauce - Fresh parsley or cilantro - Paprika - Oregano - Salt - Pepper ### Instructions 1. In a large pot, add oil and heat over medium heat. Sauté the onion for about 5 minutes or until it becomes translucent, without browning. Season with paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir to combine. ![A vibrant assortment of fresh Chilean shellfish, including clams and mussels, cleaned and ready for the stew.](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Seafood-300x197.webp) 1. Add clams and cleaned mussels in their shells, and cook for about 3 minutes. Add the conger eel medallions and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Pour in white wine, broth, preserved tomatoes, and a few drops of chili sauce to taste. Cook everything for another 12 minutes. ![Thick, clean medallions of conger eel, showing the firm white flesh ideal for coastal broths.](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Fresh-conger-300x194.jpg) 1. Add razor clams or small clams, cook for an additional 3 minutes, check that everything is well-cooked, and turn off the heat. Serve the Paila Marina immediately, piping hot, in a clay dish, and garnish with freshly chopped parsley or cilantro. ## Additional Tips - Combining mussels, clams, shrimp, squid, and fish creates a deeper, more complex broth and reflects the most traditional coastal versions of paila marina. - To avoid overcooking, add firmer seafood first and delicate items like shrimp or fish last, just before serving. ## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ### 1. What is paila marina? Paila marina is a traditional Chilean seafood stew made with mixed shellfish, fish, aromatic vegetables, and a flavorful broth. ### 2. Is paila marina the same as seafood soup? While similar, paila marina is richer and more aromatic, often served in a clay bowl (“paila”) and finished with fresh herbs or chili. ### 3. Can paila marina be made with frozen seafood? Yes, frozen seafood can be used if properly thawed, though fresh seafood provides the best flavor and texture. ### 4. Is paila marina spicy? Traditionally it is mildly spiced, but heat can be adjusted with chili, merkén, or ají according to taste. ### 5. What is paila marina usually served with? It is commonly served with crusty bread and paired with dry white wine or a light beer. ## Benefits of Consuming Seafood - Generally contains very few calories, is rich in proteins and minerals, and is known for being tasty, chewy, and easily digestible. - The proteins in seafood have high biological value, containing all the essential amino acids that the body needs, and they are easy to cook in a variety of preparations. ## Did You Know? In the successful television series Breaking Bad, one of its main characters, Gustavo Fring, who in the story is originally from Chile, invites Walter White to enjoy a delicious “Paila Marina,” prepared just as his mother taught him. ## Recommended - [Chilean osso buco cazuela](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/osso-buco-stew-cazuela-recipe/) - [Quinua baked cake recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/homemade-quinoa-baked-cake-recipe/) - [Homemade quinua stew](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/quinoa-stew-recipe/) - [Chilean rice with lentils](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/homemade-recipe-for-rice-with-lentils/)