Grilled Chicken with Romesco Sauce Recipe

Vegan chicken: A plant-based alternative to traditional chicken, providing a similar texture and flavor.

Roasted red bell peppers: These peppers add a sweet and smoky flavor to the sauce and can be found in jars.

Toasted almonds: These nuts add a rich, nutty flavor and a bit of texture to the sauce.

Minced garlic: Fresh garlic adds a pungent and aromatic flavor to the sauce.

Olive oil: This oil helps blend the sauce and adds a smooth, rich texture.

Red wine vinegar: Adds acidity and a slight tang to balance the flavors of the sauce.

Smoked paprika: Provides a smoky, slightly spicy flavor that enhances the overall taste of the sauce.

Salt: Enhances the flavors of the dish.

Black pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth of flavor to the sauce.

When preparing the romesco sauce, make sure to toast the almonds until they are golden brown. This enhances their flavor and adds a deeper, nuttier taste to the sauce. Additionally, for a smoother consistency, blend the sauce for a longer period, and if needed, add a splash of water or more olive oil to reach your desired texture.

• vegan chicken - Substitute with tofu: Tofu is a versatile plant-based protein that can be grilled and will absorb the flavors of the romesco sauce well.

• vegan chicken - Substitute with seitan: Seitan has a chewy texture similar to chicken and is high in protein, making it a great alternative for grilling.

• roasted red bell peppers - Substitute with sun-dried tomatoes: Sun-dried tomatoes provide a rich, umami flavor that complements the other ingredients in the romesco sauce.

• toasted almonds - Substitute with toasted sunflower seeds: Sunflower seeds offer a similar crunchy texture and nutty flavor, making them a good alternative for those with nut allergies.

• toasted almonds - Substitute with toasted hazelnuts: Hazelnuts provide a slightly different but equally delicious nutty flavor that pairs well with the romesco sauce.

• minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in place of fresh garlic for a more subtle garlic flavor.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a mild flavor, making it a suitable alternative for grilling and blending into the romesco sauce.

• red wine vinegar - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar provides a similar tangy flavor and acidity, which is essential for balancing the flavors in the romesco sauce.

• smoked paprika - Substitute with regular paprika: Regular paprika can be used if smoked paprika is unavailable, though it will lack the smoky flavor. Adding a drop of liquid smoke can help replicate the smokiness.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a salty and umami flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat and flavor profile, with a slightly different aroma.

• Allow the vegan chicken to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the chicken soggy.

• Transfer the grilled vegan chicken to an airtight container. If you have multiple pieces, separate each layer with parchment paper to avoid sticking.

• Store the romesco sauce separately in a sealed jar or container. This keeps the sauce fresh and prevents the chicken from becoming too moist.

• Place both the vegan chicken and romesco sauce in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 4 days.

• For longer storage, freeze the vegan chicken. Wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. This method prevents freezer burn and maintains the texture.

• Freeze the romesco sauce in an ice cube tray for easy portioning. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe bag. This allows you to thaw just the amount you need.

• When ready to use, thaw the vegan chicken and romesco sauce in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat the chicken on a grill or in a skillet until warmed through. Gently warm the romesco sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally.

• If you're in a hurry, you can microwave the vegan chicken and romesco sauce. Place the chicken on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals until warmed. For the romesco sauce, use a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 15-second intervals, stirring in between.

• Always check the vegan chicken and romesco sauce for any signs of spoilage before consuming. If they have an off smell or appearance, it's best to discard them.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the vegan chicken pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  3. Cover the vegan chicken with aluminum foil to retain moisture.
  4. Heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through.
  5. Warm the romesco sauce separately in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally.
  6. Serve the reheated vegan chicken with a generous spoonful of the warmed romesco sauce on top.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of olive oil to the skillet.
  3. Place the vegan chicken pieces in the skillet and cover with a lid.
  4. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until heated through.
  5. In a separate small saucepan, warm the romesco sauce over low heat, stirring occasionally.
  6. Serve the reheated vegan chicken with the warmed romesco sauce.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the vegan chicken pieces on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover the plate with a microwave-safe cover or another plate to prevent drying out.
  3. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking and flipping halfway through.
  4. Heat the romesco sauce separately in a microwave-safe bowl for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, stirring halfway through.
  5. Serve the reheated vegan chicken with the warmed romesco sauce.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the vegan chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  3. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. Warm the romesco sauce separately in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally.
  5. Serve the reheated vegan chicken with the warmed romesco sauce.

• Sous Vide Method:

  1. Preheat your sous vide water bath to 140°F (60°C).
  2. Place the vegan chicken pieces in a vacuum-sealed bag or a ziplock bag using the water displacement method.
  3. Submerge the bag in the water bath and heat for about 30 minutes.
  4. Warm the romesco sauce separately in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally.
  5. Serve the reheated vegan chicken with the warmed romesco sauce.

• Grill: Used to cook the vegan chicken pieces, giving them a nice char and grill marks.

• Blender: Essential for blending the roasted red bell peppers, toasted almonds, minced garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper into a smooth romesco sauce.

• Tongs: Handy for flipping the vegan chicken pieces on the grill to ensure even cooking on both sides.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure out the roasted red bell peppers, toasted almonds, olive oil, and red wine vinegar accurately.

• Measuring spoons: Necessary for measuring the smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.

• Knife: Used to mince the garlic cloves finely.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for mincing the garlic.

• Serving spoon: Ideal for spooning the romesco sauce generously over the grilled vegan chicken.

• Mixing bowl: Useful for holding the ingredients before blending them into the sauce.

• Spatula: Helps in scraping down the sides of the blender to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated.

Pre-make the sauce: Prepare the romesco sauce in advance and store it in the fridge. This way, you can simply spoon it over the vegan chicken when ready to serve.

Use pre-roasted peppers: Save time by using jarred roasted red bell peppers instead of roasting them yourself.

Toast almonds in bulk: Toast a large batch of almonds and store them for future recipes, cutting down on prep time.

Grill in batches: If you have a large grill, cook multiple pieces of vegan chicken at once to save time.