Spicy Chicken Thighs with Sweet Cucumber-Rhubarb Relish

This AWESOME recipe is one that I found on Epicurious .  I did a little adapting though and found it to be quite easy and fun .  It is refreshing with a bit of heat , a very good spring/summer dish .  My family loved it when I made it last week , so try it and let me know what you think !

Here is your list of ingredients:


Chicken

2 TBSP soy sauce

1/2 head minced garlic (equivalent of 1 level TBSP)

3 tsp Sriracha (Asian chile paste) You can make this recipe as hot or as mild as you would like by adjusting how much Sriracha you put in .

1/2 cup olive oil

1 tsp honey

12 bone-in or boneless chicken thighs (It's up to you)

Sea salt

 Relish

3 cups diced rhubarb

2 cups diced cucumber

1 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro

2 tablespoons honey

1 TBSP avocado oil ( I am on an avocado kick right now , it's spring. You can switch with Olive Oil/Peanut Oil/Vegetable Oil , you get the idea)

1 TBSP fresh lime juice

I doubled the relish , but you don't have to . We used the extra , plus the seasoned juices from the chicken , in the rice .  If you don't want to have left overs just cut the relish recipe in half .

Preheat oven to 500°F and line a baking sheet with foil , it makes the clean up so much easier .  Whisk all the ingredients in a deep bowl ,  then dip the Chicken Thighs in the sauce and season lightly with salt .  (If you are using skin-on thighs slash  crosswise at 3/4" intervals down to the bone so the flavor can get in there .)  Bake for 20-25 minutes . (Broil on high for an additional 2-3 minutes for crisper skin if you prefer it that way .)  Let rest for 5-10 minutes.

Meanwhile , as soon as the chicken goes in the oven , (or make it ahead of time) toss rhubarb , cucumber , cilantro , lime , honey , and oil in a medium bowl and let it stand for at least 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld .  Chill until you serve and serve the chicken with rhubarb relish on top . 

For those of you who do not live in the asian foods section, unlike me, this is Sriracha.  It is amazing...learn to love it.  My little brother uses it like most people use ketchup.   I would recommend building your way up though because if you are a newbie it is strong.
   

Enjoy!