Pollo con Gambas: Catalan Surf and Turf Classic with Saffron 2026

Pollo con gambas is a beloved Catalan surf-and-turf dish that brings together chicken and shrimp in one deeply savory sauce. The chicken browns until golden, the shrimp stay plump and sweet, and a brandy and white wine sauce ties everything together.

What makes this dish special is the picada, a classic Catalan thickener made from toasted bread, garlic and almonds ground into a paste. It gives the sauce body and a subtle nutty depth that you simply cannot get any other way.

It is a main course that feels both rustic and elegant at once, ideal for a weekend dinner or a holiday table. Serve it with crusty bread to mop up every last drop of that rich sauce.

Ingredients for Pollo con Gambas

Serves 2

• 2 chicken hindquarters (600 g)
• Salt
• Ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 10 shrimp
• 80 g onion
• 3 small red tomatoes
• 50 ml brandy
• 100 ml white wine
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 slice bread
• 10 almonds
• 200 ml water

How to Make Pollo con Gambas Step by Step

1. Brown the Chicken and Set Aside

First, check the 2 chicken hindquarters and remove any stray feathers, then season them with salt and pepper. Brown them in a cazuela with 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat for a few minutes, until golden. Set aside.

2. Sauté the Shrimp and Set Aside

In the same cazuela, sauté 10 whole shrimp on both sides, just until they change color. Set aside on a plate.

3. Sauté the Onion

Sauté 80 g of chopped onion for 5 minutes over medium heat.

4. Add and Cook the Tomatoes

Meanwhile, grate 3 small red tomatoes, add them to the stew and cook for 4 more minutes.

5. Add the Brandy and Wine and Let Them Reduce

Return the chicken with its juices to the cazuela, pour in 50 ml of brandy and let it reduce for 2 minutes. Then pour in 100 ml of white wine and let it reduce for 3 minutes.

6. Toast the Bread, Garlic and Almonds

Meanwhile, in another skillet with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, brown 1 sliced garlic clove. Add 1 slice of bread and 10 almonds and toast the whole mixture.

7. Blend the Picada

Blend the garlic with the bread, the almonds and 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley. Season lightly with salt.

8. Add the Reserved Chicken to the Cazuela

Pour 200 ml of water into the cazuela with the chicken; the chicken will not be fully covered. Cover and cook the whole thing for 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the thickest part of the chicken comes out with clear juices. If not, extend the cooking time until the chicken is completely cooked through.

9. Mix in the Shrimp and the Picada

Add the shrimp and the picada to the cazuela with the chicken, stir and cook for 5 more minutes. Let cool and, preferably, refrigerate until the next day so the stew gains flavor.

10. Serve

If you refrigerated the stew, reheat it in a cazuela before serving and serve it immediately.

Tips for the Best Pollo con Gambas

Use Good Fresh Shrimp

Shrimp are, along with the chicken, an essential part of this recipe, so if possible use good-quality fresh shrimp for the best result.

Get the Picada Right

The sauce for this recipe is made with a sofrito of onion and shrimp, to which we add brandy, white wine and the traditional picada to thicken the sauce. This picada is made by toasting a slice of bread with nuts, which can be almonds or others such as hazelnuts or pine nuts, or a combination of both, and optionally a few strands of saffron ground together with the picada to mix into the liquid of the sauce.

Choose Your Cooking Liquid and Let It Rest

To cook the chicken, we simply use water because the rest of the ingredients already have plenty of flavor, though you can substitute it with chicken broth. During this cooking, you can add more liquid if you see it evaporating quickly. It is also a good idea to let the pollo con gambas rest for a day in the fridge so it gains in flavor. This is an ideal recipe to serve as a main course on its own or with a salad of your choice.

30 Top Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a go-to lineup that covers cozy classics, dishes from around the world, and sweets that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent craving hits, my picks are usually this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and comforting sounds good, this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I reach for.

Some mornings I want an easy breakfast or a lighter plate, so I'll whip up these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I rely on.

For tapas nights and Mediterranean flavors, I bounce between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also comes out whenever I want to serve something a bit more special.

For filling lunches and cozy dinners, my recommendations are this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I'm after something heartier, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Anytime I'm in the mood for street food or party-style plates, I'll usually make this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also work great as a laid-back appetizer or snack.

And when I'm hosting guests with drinks and a full spread, dinner often gets paired with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, I like adding this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side or finishing with this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes to Cook for the Family

After years of testing and tweaking recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the best dishes are built on simplicity, dependable techniques, and big flavor.

Every recipe in this collection is one I genuinely come back to time and time again—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something special for friends and family.

For dessert, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something elegant yet effortless. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If you enjoy baking, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts is useful, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe explains exactly how I prepare it in my own kitchen.

When something fresh and simple is what I'm after, I usually reach for the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heartier comfort meals, I often point people to the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight favorite One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Traditional dishes from around the world are another thing I love to share, including the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer recipes are another category I cook often, since they save time while still delivering great texture. My go-to options include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for anyone steering clear of wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and completely satisfying without gluten.

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