Romesco Chicken

Name: Romesco Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients: 1 cup sliced almonds; ⅔ cup roasted red peppers, diced; ⅔ cup halved cherry tomatoes; ½ cup chopped parsley; 2 cloves garlic; ¼ cup olive oil; 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar; 2 teaspoons smoked paprika; ½ teaspoon salt; 4 chicken breasts (butterflied) or 6 chicken thighs

By Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Published May 4, 2021 • Updated June 2, 2025

JUMP TO RECIPE ▼

Reader Rating

5 Stars (3 Reviews) 5 Comments

Dairy Free Easy Egg Free

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

Romesco chicken is a quick and easy weeknight meal that will impress any dinner guests. This Spanish-inspired keto romesco sauce is made with red peppers, tomatoes, and toasted almonds. Let this flavor-packed sauce take your dish of roasted chicken and veggies to the next level!

juicy romesco chicken and baked asparagus on a dinner plate

grilled chicken topped with romesco and aspargus on a plate with parsley

a white dish with red romesco sauce on it

red, creamy romesco sauce on top of roasted asparagus

20 Mins

Nutrition Facts

Servings

503

Calories

32.7g

Fat

43.6g

Protein

2.4g

Net Carb

8.1g

Total Carbs

Disclaimer: The nutrition information provided is an estimate and is for informational purposes only. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); however, this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before making any lifestyle changes or beginning a new nutrition program.

Romesco Chicken Recipe Video

Subscribe to the KetoFocus YouTube Channel

With 100s of videos and millions of views, Ketofocus is one of the most popular Keto channels on YouTube.

Keto Romesco Chicken Ingredients

1 cup sliced almonds
⅔ cup roasted red peppers, diced
⅔ cup halved cherry tomatoes
½ cup chopped parsley
2 cloves garlic
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
½ teaspoon salt
4 chicken breasts (butterflied) or 6 chicken thighs

Romesco Chicken Directions

STEP

1

Toast the almonds

Add sliced almonds to a non-stick skillet. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Lightly toast the almonds for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat to cool.
STEP

2

Add to a food processor

To a food processor or blend, add toasted almonds, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, parsley, garlic, olive oil, sherry vinegar, smoked paprika and salt.
STEP

3

Push until combined

Pulse or blend until smooth. Set aside. Sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
STEP

4

Cook chicken

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Pan cook in 3 tablespoons olive oil for 4-5 minutes each side. Or grill at 350-400 degrees for 4-8 minutes each side until cooked through.
STEP

5

Pour and gobble

Pour sauce over chicken and serve.

Similar low-carb recipes

Others who were looking for "Romesco Chicken" were also interested in these recipes:

Chicken Romesco Recipe

a plate with asparagus, chicken and romesco sauce all over

Finding a keto-friendly recipe, that is easy to make and tastes good doesn’t have to be a difficult task. With just a few ingredients, you can make a romesco sauce that your whole family can enjoy. Our recipe includes roasted red bell peppers from the jar, halved cherry tomatoes, red wine vinegar, olive oil, and sliced almonds. With these simple ingredients, keto romesco sauce should take a total of less than 5 minutes to make. In fact, it should really only take you between 15-20 minutes to finish cooking the entire meal. This romesco sauce nicely complements nearly any type of protein and not just chicken breast or chicken thighs, including fish or steak, and can even be topped on asparagus, roasted zucchini or a low-carb pasta.

What is Romesco Sauce?

Romesco sauce was first created in the Valls, Tarragona, and Catalonia regions of Spain by the local fisherman for the fish they caught. Although it was initially intended to be eaten with fish, it is now popular with nearly any type of protein, including grilled chicken, steak, and lamb. Romesco sauce is also traditionally made with roasted tomatoes, pine nuts, hazelnuts, leaves of fennel or mint, ancho chile powder, and Nora peppers, which are dried chili peppers. But for the purpose of keeping this recipe simple to make, and easy to find the ingredient, we will be substituting a few of the ingredients. Instead of Nora peppers, we will be using roasted red bell peppers from the jar, and instead of ancho chile powder, we will be using smoked paprika. The traditional version also uses crumbled stale bread or flour to thicken the sauce. Even though this recipe contains fewer ingredients, this keto romesco chicken is still full of flavor and healthy at the same time.

What to Serve with Romesco Chicken

Romesco chicken is incredibly delicious when paired with grilled or roasted vegetables. Roasted asparagus, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, and eggplant go particularly well with the nutty flavor of the roasted almonds and the garlic flavor in the romesco. By putting romesco sauce on top of your roasted vegetables, the smoky flavor of the sauce will elevate your dish. If you are looking for low-carb alternatives for pasta or rice, opt for cauliflower rice, spaghetti squash, or zucchini noodles. These options are keto-friendly and will also absorb the romesco sauce really well. These vegetables are commonly paired with roasted chicken because of their complementary flavors and nutritional value, and the romesco sauce will be the perfect link. Romesco sauce best compliments those that absorb spices, sauce, and flavors, including roasted vegetables and keto rice and pasta.

Storage

When making keto romesco sauce, it is always a good idea to make some extra sauce. Once you make this recipe, you will constantly be wanting more. To make it easier on yourself, just prepare the sauce early on in the week and reheat it later. Romesco chicken is perfect for meal prep since it can be kept in a storage container in the refrigerator for up to five days. If you easily get bored of meals, you can also put the sauce on a different type of protein or vegetable throughout the week. Romesco sauce is customizable to whatever kind of dish you feel like eating.

Romesco Chicken: FAQS

Can I use another type of nut instead of almonds in the romesco sauce?

Absolutely! If you have a nut allergy or just prefer a different flavor, you can substitute the sliced almonds with walnuts or cashews. Just keep in mind that it may slightly change the taste of the sauce.

How can I make this recipe dairy-free?

This Romesco Chicken recipe is naturally dairy-free! Just ensure that any sides you serve with it are also dairy-free if you're looking to keep the whole meal dairy-free.

What can I serve with Romesco Chicken for a complete meal?

For a delicious and balanced meal, consider serving the Romesco Chicken with roasted vegetables, a fresh salad, or cauliflower rice to keep it keto-friendly. The vibrant flavors of the romesco sauce will complement any side!

How can I store leftovers of Romesco Chicken?

Store any leftover Romesco Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can reheat it in the oven or microwave. Just be careful not to overcook it again to keep the chicken juicy!

Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Yes! Romesco Chicken is perfect for meal prep. You can make the romesco sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge for a few days. Just cook the chicken fresh when you're ready to eat, or you can cook everything in advance and portion it out for the week!

Nutritional information & Macros

Amount Per Serving
Calories	503
Fat	32.7g
Protein	43.6g
Total Carbs	8.1g
Net Carbs	2.4g

View My Cookbook

About Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie Lampella is a Doctor of Pharmacy, mom, and the recipe creator behind KetoFocus. With a B.S. in Genetics from UC Davis and a Pharm.D., she has over 11 years of experience developing family-friendly keto recipes based on the science of human metabolism. She is the author of the Protein Packed cookbook, published by Victory Belt Publishing.

Learn more about Annie →

Other Keto Dinner Recipes

A plate with creamy orzo pasta with spinach and sun dried tomatoes topped with sliced chicken and shredded parmesan cheese.

60 Mins

Low Carb Tuscan Chicken Pasta

This one-pot Tuscan chicken pasta is creamy, bold, and packed with Italian flavor—but without all the carbs. Each serving is high in protein, low...

See the Recipe

Crispy chicken cutlets on a wire rack topped with chopped parsley and lemon wedges near by.

30 Mins

Breaded Chicken Cutlets

These gluten-free, low-carb breaded chicken cutlets are juicy, tender, and way easier to make—no pounding needed. I found a simple method that...