Name: Herby chicken with Romesco sauce recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Yield: Serves: 4
Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients: 4 chicken breast fillets; 4tsp olive oil; 6 sprigs oregano, chopped; Steamed greens, such as kale, fine beans, or Tenderstem broccoli; Lemon wedges, to serve

By Jessica Ransom

published 18 January 2024

in Recipes

Our herby chicken with Romesco sauce takes 20 minutes to cook and can be enjoyed warm or cold.

This healthy recipe has only three steps in the method and can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner. The sauce can be made ahead and if you have any leftovers, try spreading it in sandwiches, serving with tortilla chips or crudités as a dip, or loosening it with some oil and use as a salad dressing.

Ingredients

4 chicken breast fillets
4tsp olive oil
6 sprigs oregano, chopped
Steamed greens, such as kale, fine beans, or Tenderstem broccoli
Lemon wedges, to serve

For the sauce:

30g (1oz) sun-dried tomatoes, soaked in warm water for 20 mins, then drained
45g (11⁄2oz) whole almonds, roasted, plus extra for garnish
200g (7oz) roasted red peppers from a jar, drained
1 large garlic clove
1tbsp sherry vinegar
3tsp smoked paprika
75ml (3 oz) olive oil

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Method

For the sauce, put the tomatoes in a food processor with the almonds, peppers, garlic, vinegar, and paprika. Blitz until combined. Slowly pour in most of the oil, reserving a little to drizzle over when serving.
Heat a non-stick pan to high. Brush the chicken with oil, and sprinkle over the oregano. Add to the pan, season, and reduce the heat to medium. Cook for 4-5 mins on each side until cooked through. Use a digital probe to check the chicken is cooked – it should read 74C. Remove from the pan and rest for 5 mins.
Divide the sauce between 4 plates and top with a chicken breast and greens. Garnish with almonds, and serve with lemon wedges.

Top tips for making our herby chicken with Romesco sauce

We like the flavour of oregano but you can use thyme, rosemary, or even basil if you prefer.

What is the difference between romesco and romanesco?

Romesco is a rich sauce from Spain whereas romanesco is a vegetable that is similar to cauliflower.

What is Romesco sauce made of?

This thick sauce is usually made from a combination of charred tomatoes, peppers, almonds, and bread. Additional flavourings like garlic, oil, and vinegar are common. Some recipes also add chilli or red pepper flakes for some subtle spice.

Are red bell peppers healthier raw or cooked?

Red peppers are an excellent source of the antioxidant lycopene. It protects against cardiovascular disease and can reduce blood pressure and cholesterol. It’s easier for the body to digest when cooked, which is why jars of cooked peppers are a convenient and tasty ingredient. Raw red peppers are a delicious snack though and can add a great crunch to salads or stir-fries.

Jessica Ransom

“To bulk this meal out you could serve it with boiled new potatoes or brown rice. It would also be great with chips if you want something more indulgent or even piled into a warm, crusty baguette.”

We recommend using a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked through.

We have lots more homemade sauces for chicken and plenty of healthy chicken recipes for you to explore. You might like to try this Slimming World Garlic tray bake next.

Jessica is a freelance food writer, stylist and recipe tester. She previously worked as Senior Food Writer at Future. While at Future Jessica wrote food and drink-related news stories and features, curated product pages, reviewed equipment, and developed recipes that she then styled on food shoots. She is an enthusiastic, self-taught cook who adores eating out and sharing great food and drink with friends and family. She has completed the Level 1 Associate course at the Academy of Cheese and is continually building on her knowledge of beers, wines, and spirits.