Tray-baked chicken thighs with romesco
Check out this chicken thigh tray-bake with romesco. This all-in-one bake is a great summer evening meal. The smoky paprika and sweetness of honey give this dish a real edge
Add the chicken to a baking dish and smother with the buttermilk. Turn to coat, then cover, chill and marinate for 24 hrs.
Cook the sausage in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat for 5-6 mins until it releases its oils and browns. Remove the sausage from the pan using a slotted spoon and transfer to a bowl. In the same pan, add the onion, pepper and celery. Season and fry for 3-4 mins or until softened but not coloured. Add the tomato purée and garlic, cooking for a further minute, then stir in the sausage, stock, hot sauce and bay leaf. Add the beans to the pan, stirring to combine, then simmer over a low heat, covered, for 20 mins until the beans are tender and the mixture is thick. Add a splash of water if the pan seems dry and season to taste.
Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, scraping off the excess. Mix together the blackening spice mixture. Put the chicken on a plate and add 3-4 tbsp of the mixture until the chicken is coated in the spices. Store the left-over spice mixture for up to six months in a sterilised glass jar in a cool, dark place. Add the butter to a wide frying pan and put over a medium-high heat. Once melted and the pan is hot, add the chicken skin-side down. You should hear a good sizzle. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 5-6 mins or until dark and crusty. The chicken will go black very fast, but don’t worry. Flip it over and cook for a further 6-8 mins. Add a splash of water to the pan then cover with a lid and cook for another 6 mins or until the chicken is cooked through completely.
Once ready, toss the parsley (if using) through the red beans and serve with the chicken, rice and a lime wedge.