Cashew Romesco Chicken Thighs

recipe courtesy Sunset Magazine

Cashew Romesco Chicken Thighs

1 jar (16 oz.) roasted red bell peppers, drained, rinsed, and roughly chopped

1/4 cup roasted unsalted cashews

3 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon hot sauce such as Tabasco

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup olive oil, divided

6 chicken thighs (3 lbs. total)

Couscous cooked with herbs (optional)

Heat a grill to medium (350° to 450°). Whirl peppers, cashews, vinegar, lemon juice, hot sauce, and salt in a blender. With motor running, add 1/3 cup oil in a steady stream through opening in lid until sauce is smooth and lighter in color. Set aside half the sauce.


Put chicken in a bowl and drizzle with remaining oil. Lay chicken skin side down on cooking grate and brush with some of remaining romesco sauce. Grill, turning often and brushing each time with more sauce, until chicken is well browned and cooked through, about 20 minutes. Serve over couscous with reserved sauce on the side. Serves 6.


* Note:  Instead of couscous, I used taboule, a product made by Near East, found right next to the couscous in the rice aisle.  I added tomato, lemon juice and olive oil per the instructions on the box.  It was a nice alternative to couscous and a bit heartier.