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Summer Tang + Chicken Magic = Dinner Gold

Okay, let’s talk rhubarb — because this tart little veggie (yep, it’s technically a veggie!) is having a serious summer moment. And while most of us know it from pie, it’s incredible in savory dishes, especially paired with juicy chicken. Think sweet-tangy glazes, bold BBQ sauces, and fruity salsas that scream picnic vibes.

If you’ve got rhubarb growing like a weed or scored a bundle at the farmers market, these 10 recipes are your ticket to turning it into weeknight dinner gold. All quick, family-friendly, and totally seasonal.

Sweet, tangy, and totally unexpected — rhubarb is the summer hero your chicken dinners have been waiting for! Try these 10 easy chicken and rhubarb recipes for your next backyard meal or weeknight dinner.

1. Sticky Rhubarb BBQ Chicken Thighs

Sweet, smoky, and summer-ready! These Sticky Rhubarb BBQ Chicken Thighs are a unique and delicious way to use rhubarb in savory cooking — a new chicken dinner fave.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Sweet, smoky, and sticky in all the best ways. This easy sauce doubles as a dip and makes grilled or baked chicken thighs totally irresistible.

Ingredients:

  • 6 boneless chicken thighs
  • 1 cup chopped rhubarb
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

Directions:

  1. Simmer rhubarb, ketchup, sugar, vinegar, and paprika in a saucepan until rhubarb breaks down and sauce thickens (10-12 mins).
  2. Grill or bake chicken thighs, basting with sauce during the last few minutes.
  3. Serve with extra sauce on the side.

Real Mom Tip:

Double the sauce and freeze half — it’s awesome on pork or burgers too!

Budget Breakdown:

  • Total Cost: ~$7
  • Per Serving (4 servings): $1.75

Add-Ons & Variations:

  • Add chili flakes for a spicy twist
  • Sub chicken drumsticks or breasts if you prefer

2. Grilled Chicken with Rhubarb Chutney

This Grilled Chicken with Rhubarb Chutney is bursting with summer flavor. Tangy, sweet, and perfect for pairing with grilled meats — a fresh way to enjoy rhubarb and chicken together!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Fresh and summery! This zippy chutney adds a tangy punch that takes basic grilled chicken from blah to wow.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups shredded cooked or grilled chicken
  • 1 cup chopped rhubarb
  • 1/2 cup diced red onion
  • 1/4 cup raisins or dried cranberries
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Directions:

  1. In a saucepan, simmer all chutney ingredients until thickened (15-20 mins).
  2. Serve warm or chilled over grilled chicken.

Real Mom Tip:

Make the chutney ahead and keep in the fridge — it’s also amazing on sandwiches!

Budget Breakdown:

  • Total Cost: ~$6
  • Per Serving (4 servings): $1.50

Add-Ons & Variations:

  • Swap raisins for chopped dates or apricots
  • Add a pinch of cinnamon for depth

3. Balsamic Rhubarb Chicken Skillet

One-pan wonder! This Balsamic Rhubarb Chicken Skillet is packed with bold summer flavor and tender chicken — a simple yet elevated dish to enjoy your rhubarb stash.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

One pan, big flavor. Balsamic vinegar and rhubarb create a sweet-tart glaze that tastes way fancier than it is.

Ingredients:

  • 4 chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1 cup chopped rhubarb
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt & pepper

Directions:

  1. Sear chicken in a skillet with olive oil; remove and set aside.
  2. In same pan, add rhubarb, vinegar, and honey; simmer 5 minutes.
  3. Return chicken to skillet and simmer until cooked through and glazed.

Real Mom Tip:

Serve this over rice or couscous to soak up every drop of that delicious glaze.

Budget Breakdown:

  • Total Cost: ~$8
  • Per Serving (4 servings): $2.00

Add-Ons & Variations:

  • Sprinkle with fresh basil or thyme before serving
  • Add chopped strawberries or cherries for more fruitiness

4. Rhubarb Honey Glazed Drumsticks

Tangy, sticky, and totally grill-worthy! These Rhubarb Honey Glazed Drumsticks are a summer BBQ must-have, combining chicken and rhubarb in a sweet-savory glaze.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Sticky, sweet, and super simple — these drumsticks are kid-friendly and great for grilling or baking.

Ingredients:

  • 8 chicken drumsticks
  • 1 cup chopped rhubarb
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt & pepper

Directions:

  1. In a saucepan, cook rhubarb, honey, mustard, and garlic powder until the rhubarb breaks down into a glaze.
  2. Grill or bake drumsticks, basting with glaze during the last 10 minutes.

Real Mom Tip:

Line your baking sheet with foil or parchment — this glaze gets sticky!

Budget Breakdown:

  • Total Cost: ~$7
  • Per Serving (4 servings): $1.75

Add-Ons & Variations:

  • Use boneless thighs or wings
  • Add a pinch of chili powder for heat

5. Chicken and Rhubarb Sheet Pan Bake

This Chicken and Rhubarb Sheet Pan Bake is the ultimate easy summer dinner — one pan, seasonal produce, and juicy chicken with a rhubarb twist.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Everything roasts together on one pan — juicy chicken, tender rhubarb, and your favorite summer veggies. Easy cleanup and no extra dishes!

Ingredients:

  • 4 chicken thighs or breasts
  • 1 cup chopped rhubarb
  • 1 cup baby potatoes, halved
  • 1 red onion, sliced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt, pepper, and thyme

Directions:

  1. Toss everything in oil and seasonings on a sheet pan.
  2. Bake at 400°F for 30-35 minutes until chicken is cooked and veggies are tender.

Real Mom Tip:

Add a drizzle of balsamic before roasting for extra oomph.

Budget Breakdown:

  • Total Cost: ~$8
  • Per Serving (4 servings): $2.00

Add-Ons & Variations:

  • Add carrots or zucchini
  • Swap thyme for rosemary or Italian seasoning

6. Shredded Chicken and Rhubarb Sliders

These Shredded Chicken and Rhubarb Sliders are sweet, tangy, and picnic-perfect. A great way to use rhubarb in your summer sandwich game!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Pulled chicken meets tangy rhubarb sauce in slider form — perfect for BBQs, potlucks, or “I don’t want to cook” nights.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
  • 1/2 cup chopped rhubarb
  • 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 6 slider buns

Directions:

  1. Simmer rhubarb, BBQ sauce, and honey until soft and thickened.
  2. Stir in chicken and warm through.
  3. Pile onto slider buns and serve.

Real Mom Tip:

Make the filling the night before — the flavor gets even better overnight!

Budget Breakdown:

  • Total Cost: ~$7
  • Per Serving (6 sliders): ~$1.17 each

Add-Ons & Variations:

  • Top with slaw or sliced pickles
  • Use Hawaiian rolls for a sweet-savory combo

7. Sweet Chili Rhubarb Chicken Stir Fry

Spicy meets tangy! This Sweet Chili Rhubarb Chicken Stir Fry is a fast and flavorful way to bring chicken and rhubarb together for a light summer dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Fast, fresh, and full of zing! Rhubarb brings the tang, sweet chili sauce adds heat, and the veggies make it a complete one-pan wonder.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
  • 1 cup chopped rhubarb
  • 1/2 cup bell pepper strips
  • 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp oil

Directions:

  1. Sauté rhubarb and peppers in oil for 3-4 mins.
  2. Add chicken, sweet chili sauce, and soy sauce; stir-fry until heated through.

Real Mom Tip:

Serve it over rice noodles or steamed rice — and use frozen stir-fry veggies to save time!

Budget Breakdown:

  • Total Cost: ~$7
  • Per Serving (4 servings): $1.75

Add-Ons & Variations:

  • Add snap peas or broccoli
  • Top with sesame seeds or chopped peanuts

8. Rhubarb Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Light and fresh! These Rhubarb Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a no-fuss summer dinner packed with bold, zesty flavor — a fun way to use up extra rhubarb and chicken.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Cool, crunchy, and picnic-ready! These wraps are light but packed with bold, summery flavor — no forks required.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups shredded chicken
  • 1/2 cup cooked rhubarb compote or chutney
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onion
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 8 lettuce leaves (romaine or butter)

Directions:

  1. Mix chicken, rhubarb, soy sauce, and green onion.
  2. Spoon into lettuce leaves and serve chilled.

Real Mom Tip:

Wrap them in parchment or foil for easy grab-and-go summer snacking.

Budget Breakdown:

  • Total Cost: ~$6
  • Per Serving (4 servings): $1.50

Add-Ons & Variations:

  • Add chopped nuts or shredded carrots
  • Use rice paper wraps for a different texture

9. Crispy Chicken Cutlets with Rhubarb Salsa

These Crispy Chicken Cutlets with Rhubarb Salsa are a sweet-tart twist on a classic — the perfect fresh, tangy topping for summer chicken dinners.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Crispy + fresh = summer magic. The tangy-sweet salsa cuts through the crunch and makes dinner feel fancy with minimal effort.

Ingredients:

  • 2 boneless chicken breasts, pounded thin
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup rhubarb, diced
  • 1/4 cup strawberries, chopped
  • 1 tbsp honey

Directions:

  1. Dip chicken in egg, then breadcrumbs. Pan-fry until golden and cooked through.
  2. Meanwhile, simmer rhubarb, strawberries, and honey until soft.
  3. Spoon salsa over chicken and serve.

Real Mom Tip:

Make extra salsa — it’s great on grilled fish or spooned over toast!

Budget Breakdown:

  • Total Cost: ~$8
  • Per Serving (4 servings): $2.00

Add-Ons & Variations:

  • Add fresh mint or basil to the salsa
  • Bake the chicken instead of frying

10. Slow Cooker Rhubarb Pulled Chicken

Let your slow cooker do the work! This Rhubarb Pulled Chicken recipe is an easy summer meal that’s great for sandwiches, bowls, and feeding a hungry family with seasonal flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Toss it all in the slow cooker and walk away. By dinner, you’ve got perfectly tender, sweet-tart chicken for sandwiches, tacos, or rice bowls.

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs boneless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1 cup chopped rhubarb
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp garlic powder

Directions:

  1. Add everything to a slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours.
  2. Shred chicken and stir to coat in the sauce.

Real Mom Tip:

This freezes beautifully — make a double batch and stash some for busy weeks!

Budget Breakdown:

  • Total Cost: ~$9
  • Per Serving (6 servings): $1.50

Add-Ons & Variations:

  • Serve on buns, over rice, or in lettuce wraps
  • Add red pepper flakes for a little heat

🌞 Rhubarb + Chicken = Summer Supper Gold

And just like that, you’ve got 10 fresh, flavorful ways to use up that rhubarb without baking another pie. These chicken + rhubarb recipes hit that sweet spot between tangy and savory, perfect for breezy summer dinners, outdoor grilling, or those “what do I even cook with this rhubarb?” nights.

From sticky BBQ thighs to slow-cooked pulled chicken and everything in between, these meals are packed with warm-weather vibes and built for real-life busy. They’re flexible, family-friendly, and budget-wise — just how we like it.

So go on, grab that bunch of rhubarb and get dinner on the table with a twist. Your summer menu just got way more interesting. 🍗🌿

Looking for fresh summer dinner ideas? These 10 chicken and rhubarb recipes are bursting with bold, seasonal flavor! From BBQ chicken to tangy stir fry, you’ll love how rhubarb transforms your summer meals.