Chicken Paella- FAIL! (UPDATED for reader Aileen!!!)

So the recipe I mentioned last time was this- Chicken Paella from the December 1955 issue of Women's Day.  It had so much promise.  It looked like it would be warm, comforting, and delicious.  But alas I was wrong...

Here's the hot mess:

Yum, hu?  I had to put the veggies on the plate so it didn't look totally depressing!

The Family's reaction:

Hubby- "It needs more flavor..."  Adds salt and Tabasco.  "It's ok I guess."  When asked if I should make it again he politely asked me not to.
DD15- Ok first a little background.  This one is a somewhat picky eater.  She also hasn't learned to cut her chicken herself or at least acts like it.  (Not sure how she functions when her mommy isn't around.  I'm afraid to ask.)  So the fact that this dish included bone in chicken didn't bode well from the start.  She took a bite of the rice and asked how to eat the chicken.  I rolled my eyes at Hubby, who was trying not to laugh.  Then she complained it was fatty. I don't need to continue with the details but suffice it to say Little Miss had a few carrots, said she was full, and went up to her room.
DD13-  Ate more than her brother and sister but claims she didn't like the meal.  I think she was thwarted by peer pressure.  She thanked me for dinner, something she usually does so she looks like "the good one"- an old family joke, but tonight I took her words to heart regardless of their sincerity.
DS9- My dear son, despite his advanced palate, has the same chicken cutting phobia as his oldest sister.    (Apparently removing the shell off king crab legs is ok but cutting chicken off the bone is just too much.)  He ate a bite of the rice and said it was good.  Then looked at the chicken and said it looked confusing. (What have I done to these children???)  He then finished the rice, had a few carrots, and asked what else was for dinner.  Can you guess the answer?????????????  Sigh...
The Pooch- He would have LOVED it.  But he has an allergy to chicken.  I kid you not.

But there's always a silver lining isn't there?  I'm thinking I can rework the recipe to only make the Spanish rice! (I've been looking for a good Spanish rice recipe for Taco night.  It's harder than you think.)  Also I got a manicure today.  This is a silver lining in and of itself, right?  And I didn't hack off a chunk of the freshly applied polish like I usually do when chopping onions.  Victory!

Happy New Year!

Sarah

Update starts here.   One of my readers, Aileen, asked if I would post this recipe as it sounded similar to one she used to make.  So, Aileen, here you go!

The recipe continued.

If I were to try it again I'd use more saffron and a way bigger pot!

Here's how much Saffron I used.  And it wasn't enough.

This was the pot I used.  Not too pretty...

Let me know how it goes!