Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Romesco Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken thighs pan-seared to golden perfection and served with a smoky red pepper Romesco sauce for a flavorful Spanish-inspired entrée. This spanish (gluten free) ready in about 30 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, olive oil, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.3 (15 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Spanish cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and season both sides with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken thighs skin side down and cook for 7-8 minutes until skin is golden brown and crisp. Flip and cook for another 6-7 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove and rest.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, prepare the Romesco sauce by blending 1 cup roasted red peppers, 1/4 cup toasted almonds, 2 garlic cloves, 1 tbsp sherry vinegar, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 cup olive oil, and 1/2 tsp salt in a food processor until smooth and creamy.
  4. Step 4: Serve the chicken thighs topped with a generous spoonful of Romesco sauce alongside roasted vegetables or crusty bread.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Romesco Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Romesco Sauce?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Romesco Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Romesco Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Romesco Sauce gluten free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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