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Spanish Pesto Chicken Thighs
5 from 3 votes

Spanish Pesto Chicken Thighs

Delicious and tender pan-seared chicken thighs are easy to make with a quick Picada pesto for an amazingly flavored dinner.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 Servings
Calories: 294 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 4 chicken thigh about 4 to 6 pounds, bone-in, up to 6
  • ¼ teaspoon salt a few pinches, or more to taste
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1 cup water 236 ml
  • ¼ cup coconut milk 80 ml
  • 1 bouillon see note for substitutions
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon basil dried
  • black pepper optional
  • pesto paste see notes, picada

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Pat dry chicken thighs with a paper towel.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large saute skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Add the chicken skin side down so the fat can render in the pan.
  4. Brown for 7 to 8 minutes without moving and until skin is crispy brown. Then flip and cook for another 7 to 8 minutes. Season both sides with a few pinches of salt.
  5. Using kitchen tongues or a fork, transfer the chicken thighs to a plate. Leave any sauce in the pan and on the stove. Lower the heat to medium.
  6. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil (not necessary if there is enough chicken fat in the pan) and add garlic to the skillet. Cook and stir until fragrant over medium heat (about 15 to 20 seconds).
  7. Add the water and the coconut milk. Stir in the bouillon until it dissolves. Season the liquid with ¼ teaspoon salt, ginger, and basil. Add some black pepper to taste.
  8. Return the chicken to the skillet, skin side up. Bring to a gentle steady simmer. Then lower the heat to medium-low to maintain that simmer and cover the pan.
  9. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 25 to 30 minutes, covered and stirring occasionally until the chicken is completely cooked through.
  10. Uncover the pan and stir half of the picada pesto paste into the sauce to thicken.
  11. Remove from heat, spoon some sauce over the chicken, and garnish with the rest of the picada pesto.
  12. Serve with red thin sliced onions and lemon wedges over cooked rice (optional) or a side salad.

Notes

  • Helpful Tips:
  •  
  • Recipe Picada Pesto (see the full recipe here): You'll need four tablespoons of olive oil, two slices of fresh bread, a fourth of a cup of parsley, two garlic cloves, a fourth of a teaspoon salt, and a fourth of a cup slivered almonds.
  • In a skillet large enough to hold the bread, heat two tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Toast the bread on both sides for three minutes until golden brown. Cut in cubes and place in a blender or food processor with the rest of the ingredients. Pulse until you get a beautiful green paste.
  • Always dry the chicken thoroughly with a paper towel before placing it in the hot pan so the skin can become crispy brown.
  • Instead of water and bouillon, you can use 1 cup of bone broth or chicken broth.
  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Calories 294kcal (15%) Carbohydrates 1g (0%) Protein 16g (32%) Fat 25g (38%) Saturated Fat 7g (35%) Polyunsaturated Fat 4g (24%) Monounsaturated Fat 12g (60%) Trans Fat 0.1g (5%) Cholesterol 94mg (31%) Sodium 175mg (7%) Potassium 231mg (5%) Fiber 0.1g (0%) Sugar 0.02g (0%) Vitamin A 77IU (2%) Vitamin C 0.4mg (0%) Calcium 17mg (2%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 to 6 Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 294

% Daily Value*

Serving 1
Calories 294kcal 15%
Carbohydrates 1g 0%
Protein 16g 32%
Fat 25g 38%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g 24%
Monounsaturated Fat 12g 60%
Trans Fat 0.1g 5%
Cholesterol 94mg 31%
Sodium 175mg 7%
Potassium 231mg 5%
Fiber 0.1g 0%
Sugar 0.02g 0%
Vitamin A 77IU 2%
Vitamin C 0.4mg 0%
Calcium 17mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.