Paella (Valencian: [paˈeʎa] or [pəˈeʎə], Spanish: [paˈeʎa], English approximation /pɑːˈeɪlə/,/ˈpaɪjeɪə/ or /ˈpaɪjɛlə/) is a Valencian rice dish with ancient roots that originated in its modern form in the mid-nineteenth century near Albufera lagoon, a coastal lagoon in Valencia, on the east coast of Spain and widely regarded as Spain's national dish. Chicken and chorizo paella