Ingredients

• 2 lb asparagus, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 skinless boneless chicken breast halves (3 to 4 lb total)
• 1/3 cup well-stirred tahini (Middle Eastern sesame paste)
• 1/3 cup water
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 garlic clove, minced

Instructions

1. Put oven racks in middle and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 450°F.
2. Toss asparagus with 1 tablespoon oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a 15- by 10-inch shallow baking pan. Roast on bottom rack, shaking pan once or twice, until just tender, about 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, pat chicken dry and sprinkle all over with 1/2 teaspoon salt and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy ovenproof skillet (not nonstick) over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown chicken, turning over once, until golden, about 6 minutes total. Transfer skillet to middle of oven and roast until just cooked through, about 5 minutes.
4. While chicken roasts, purée tahini, water, lemon juice, sugar, garlic, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt in a blender until smooth, about 1 minute. (Add more water if sauce is too thick.)
5. Serve chicken and asparagus drizzled with some of sauce and with remaining sauce on the side.