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Chipotle-Rubbed Chicken Sheet-Pan Dinner
Ingredients
- 12 oz. tomatillos (about 6 medium)
- 8 garlic cloves
- 4 scallions
- 1 jalapeño
- 6 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- Kosher salt
- 8 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs (about 3 lb.)
- 2 Tbsp. adobo sauce, from 1 can chipotles in adobo
- 1 tsp. honey
- 1 tsp. ground cumin, divided
- 1 medium acorn squash
- ½ bunch cilantro
- Lime wedges (for serving)
Steps
- Place a rack in upper third of oven; preheat to 425°. Start by assembling all the ingredients for the salsa: Remove husks from 12 oz. tomatillos and rinse. Cut any larger ones in half and arrange on a baking sheet.
- Smash 8 garlic cloves with the flat side of your knife and remove skins. Add to baking sheet with tomatillos.
- Trim ends of 4 scallions and discard, then cut scallions crosswise into 1" pieces. Add to baking sheet.
- Cut 1 jalapeño in half lengthwise, pull out stem and ribs, and place on baking sheet. Wash hands!
- Drizzle 2 Tbsp. oil over vegetables; season with salt. Toss with hands to coat, then push vegetables to one side of baking sheet so they’re taking up about one-third of sheet; set aside.
- Pat 8 chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season all over with salt.
- Whisk 2 Tbsp. adobo sauce (from 1 can chipotles in adobo), 1 tsp. honey, ½ tsp. cumin, and 2 Tbsp. oil in a large bowl until smooth. → Here are 6 ways to use the rest of those chipotles.
- Add chicken to bowl and toss with tongs until coated.
- Using tongs, arrange chicken, skin sides up, in center of baking sheet, placing close together so there’s still space left for the squash.
- Cut 1 acorn squash in half and scoop out seeds with spoon. Cut each half in thirds again to make 6 equal wedges.
- Arrange squash on baking sheet next to chicken, then drizzle squash with 2 Tbsp. oil. Season with salt and sprinkle with remaining ½ tsp. cumin.
- Roast until chicken thighs are browned on top and meat is cooked through, tomatillos are lightly charred on top, and squash is fork-tender 30–40 minutes.
- Let cool slightly. While chicken is cooling, pick about ½ cup cilantro leaves from bunch, reserving stems, and set aside for serving.
- Transfer chicken and squash to a platter.
- Tip all remaining ingredients, along with about ½ cup of pan juices, into a blender. Add cilantro, stems and all; season with a bit more salt. Blend, thinning with more pan juices if needed, until smooth and pourable.
- Pour salsa over platter and top with reserved cilantro leaves. Serve with lime wedges alongside.
Previous recipe: Chipotle Rub