Crispy Rhubarb Lemon Chicken Bake {Paleo}

Name: Crispy Rhubarb Lemon Chicken Bake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 5
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/4 cup creamy balsamic dressing or vinaigrette; 1/4 cup tangy BBQ sauce (gluten free); 2 garlic cloves; 1/2 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 2 –3 rhubarb stalks, shaved/peeled (Keep the shavings for topping); 1/4 cup maple syrup; 1 Tablespoon lemon juice; 1 ½ pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs (about 5 small thighs); 1 lemon; Olive oil as needed for the skillet and to toss rhubarb shavings; Salt to taste; Pepper to taste; Rhubarb shavings; Optional: 1/4 teaspoon lemon garlic seasoning or lemon pepper; 1 cup pearled onions; Pinch of tarragon leaves or thyme to garnish

by Lindsay Cotter · 04/27/2017

GF Dairy Free

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★★★★★ 5 from 4 reviews

Made with a sweet and tangy marinade, this Crispy Rhubarb Lemon Chicken Bake is an easy one pan meal! Add crispy rhubarb shavings on top of this lemon chicken recipe for extra flavor and texture! Perfect to serve with your favorite sides for a nourishing meal you’ll love!

Ready for Rhubarb

You guys, I almost missed out on rhubarb’s peak season! At its best from April to June, it’s all the rage and truly delicious when it’s in season. Often categorized as a fruit, it’s pretty much perfect. In my opinion, at least. In fact, if I were a vegetable, I would want to be rhubarb! Hear me out. It’s trendy, only works 3 months out of the year, pretty in pink, sweet and savory, healthy, and sassy. Okay, I added the sassy part, but don’t you think it’s true? I can hear it saying, “Hey, I’m a pink plant stalk. I DO WONDERS with flavors! Am I sweet or sour or both? Oh I am ALL all that and a bag of chips!” Ya Rhubarb, you are that rad.

Okay, despite my weirdly prophetic obsession with this produce, I do actually have a purpose with this post. Promise! You see, this rhubarb chicken is a longtime favorite scrappy chef Cotter recipe. It’s resourceful yet daringly trendy. Or, that’s what we’re going with, mkay?

Is Rhubarb Good for You? …Spoiler Alert, It Is!

We already mentioned that this Crispy Rhubarb Lemon Chicken Bake is naturally Paleo. However, this chicken recipe involves using ALL parts of the rhubarb. Except for the leaves. Don’t eat the leaves. However, the stalk is fair game, and you definitely don’t want to miss out on all the nourishment coming from that pink stem! For instance, it’s loaded with vitamins and minerals like:

Calcium

Potassium

Manganese

Magnesium

Vitamin C

Vitamin K

B Vitamins
And so much more!

Plus, it’s a great source of fiber and protein. It’s even great for digestion. Whoa! Hmm, maybe that’s why they put rhubarb in strawberry pie? You’re going to need that extra digestion boost post pie consumption, but I digress. The point is, rhubarb is something to rave about!

What You’ll Need for this Rhubarb & Lemon Chicken Recipe

Today’s lemon chicken bake recipe is all about tangy, sweet, and savory flavors. To accomplish the bold taste, this chicken bake is made with a variety of flavorful ingredients including:

Balsamic Dressing

BBQ Sauce

Garlic Cloves

Rhubarb Stalks

Maple Syrup

Lemon

Skinless, Boneless Chicken Thighs

Olive Oil
Pearled Onions

Oh! Don’t forget the crispy rhubarb savings, either! Peeled and baked veggie skins make awesome snacks or toppings, but they’re also the perfect way to add both flavor and texture to chicken and rhubarb!

Basically, what I’m saying is that this is one SUPER nourishing protein packed meal ya’ll!

Let’s Shake & Chicken Bake – How to Make a Rhubarb Chicken

Now, I know what you’re thinking…um…Lindsay, a rhubarb marinade? You crazy Cotter you! I admit, I am crazy, but trust me. It works! Given that rhubarb has a sour acidic taste, it pairs perfectly with sweet tangy food. I’ll show you how below!

How to Make a Lemony Rhubarb Chicken

Prepare the Rhubarb. Before you begin, you’ll want to clean the rhubarb and shave the stalks with a vegetable peeler. But, be sure to keep the shavings for later!
Boil. Add the marinade and chicken thighs to a skillet with oil, and bring the marinade to a quick boil. Then, shut off the heat immediately. This helps the edges caramelize and enhances the flavor of your rhubarb chicken.
Bake. Let the chicken thighs bake in the oven at 375° F for 20-25 minutes. In the meantime, season the rhubarb shavings you saved. Then, transfer them to the oven with the chicken for 15 minutes, tossing halfway through.

Common Questions

Can I make this rhubarb & lemon chicken recipe ahead of time?

Yes! Store leftover rhubarb chicken in the fridge for up to 3 days. Or, freeze it for up to 3 months.

Does this marinade work with other types of meat?

I haven’t tried it, but it should work with turkey or fish as well! Let me know if you give it a shot.

What should I serve with chicken and rhubarb?

Honestly, you can serve this chicken bake with any side dish you like best! Some of my favorites include dairy free mashed potatoes, broccolini, and air fried vegetables!

That’s it, ya’ll! If you aren’t obsessed with rhubarb like me, you will be after this Crispy Rhubarb Lemon Chicken Bake recipe! Try it out, and let me know what you think in the comments below.

Cheers,

Next add your lemon slices to your chicken and pop it in oven for just 20 minutes. BUT WAIT!!!! Here’s the EPIC part ya’ll. Take those shavings, toss in oil, pepper, garlic, salt, and place on baking sheet in oven (with the chicken) and bake the last 10-15 minutes with the chicken. They should get crispy! I added veggies in the oven while it was all cooking too. Saving time. Per usual. Anyway, the crispy rhubarb shavings totally make the dish. You top your lemon chicken bake with them and dig it. Like whoa.. so so fun and tasty!

You see, rhubarb really is a badass. It makes a chicken bake look like a rockstar. In my honest opinion.

P.S if you are watching your diet for oxalate containing foods, then cooking rhubarb may reduce its oxalate content. Sorry, nerdy nutrition note. Had to.

p.p.s why is so hard to spell Rhubarb? That and frittata. Gah.. I always mess up. Thank goodness for spell check!

Favorite rhubarb recipe? Ever baked it with chicken? Do share!

Cheers!

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