She Strengthens

Savory Rhubarb Braised Chicken: A Sweet and Sour Delight

When it comes to rhubarb, most people think of sweet desserts, but this tart vegetable deserves a starring role in savory dishes too. This braised chicken recipe is a perfect example, balancing sweet honey with the tangy flavor of rhubarb.

The Perfect Blend of Flavors

This easy-to-make dish yields 4-6 servings and can be ready in just 1 hour and 15 minutes. The key to its success lies in the harmonious blend of ingredients, including bone-in chicken thighs, shallots, ginger, cardamom, dry sherry, chicken stock, honey, orange juice, and of course, rhubarb.

Preparing the Chicken

To start, preheat your oven to 375°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, seasoning it generously with salt and pepper. Then, heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until it shimmers.

Browning the Chicken

Add half of the chicken thighs to the pot, skin side down, and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Flip and cook the second side until golden brown, about 4 minutes more. Transfer the thighs to a plate and repeat with the remaining chicken.

Building the Sauce

Reduce the heat to medium and remove all but 2 tablespoons of fat from the pot. Add the shallots, ginger, and cardamom, seasoning with salt and pepper, and sauté until the shallots soften, about 2 minutes. Pour in the sherry, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits, and reduce the liquid by half, about 3-4 minutes.

Adding the Chicken Stock and Flavorings

Add the chicken stock, honey, and orange juice, stirring to combine. Return the chicken pieces and any accumulated juices to the pot, turning the chicken to coat, and bring the mixture to a boil (the chicken pieces should be skin side up).

Finishing with Rhubarb

Place the pot in the oven and cook until the sauce is vigorously bubbling around the sides and the chicken, when cut with a knife, is no longer pink, about 35 minutes. Remove from the oven, scatter the rhubarb pieces between and around the chicken, and return the pot to the oven until the rhubarb is knife tender, about 15 minutes more.

Serve and Enjoy!

This savory rhubarb braised chicken is a true culinary delight, perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion. The tangy rhubarb adds a unique twist to the classic braised chicken dish, making it a must-try for any food enthusiast.