Apricot Chicken

4.96 from 44 votes
39 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.

Make this easy, flavorful apricot chicken in the oven, slow cooker, pressure cooker, or even on the grill. You just can’t go wrong with this recipe!

Plate with a piece of Apricot Chicken and a piece cut out. Green beans and rice on the side.
Featured With This Recipe
  1. Ingredients in Apricot Chicken
  2. Apricot Chicken Cooking Methods
  3. Baked Apricot Chicken
  4. Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken
  5. Instant Pot Apricot Chicken
  6. Grilled Apricot Chicken
  7. Try it Bite-Sized
  8. What to Serve with Apricot Chicken
  9. Additional Tips and Tricks
  10. Frequently Asked Questions
  11. More Easy Chicken Recipes
  12. How to Make Apricot Chicken
  13. Easy Apricot Chicken Recipe

Apricot chicken is a sweet and savory dish that can be cooked and served in a variety of ways. This is such a great weeknight meal that the whole family loves. All the cooking methods are easy and cleanup is minimal (especially if you use pan liners). There’s no reason NOT to love this chicken!

Catalina dressing, dijon mustard, onion soup mix, apricot preserves and chicken to make Instant Pot Apricot Chicken.


Ingredients in Apricot Chicken

All these ingredients to make apricot chicken are super simple can can easily be found in most grocery stores. Here’s what you need:

  • Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or you can use chicken thighs
  • Apricot preserves (or apricot jam. Peach jam can also be used if you can’t find apricot)
  • Catalina salad dressing (or Russian dressing)
  • Dijon mustard
  • Dried onion soup mix (you can also use French Onion Soup mix)
  • Optional ingredients: salt & pepper (to taste), a splash of soy sauce, garlic, red pepper flakes

Apricot Chicken Cooking Methods

I have made this Apricot Chicken recipe FOUR different ways, all with great success. That’s really what I love most about this recipe. You can prepare it pretty much any way you’d like! You can have your chicken in about 25 minutes in the Instant Pot, or you can have it be cooking for hours in a CrockPot. No matter how you make this recipe, it is going to be delicious!

Baked Apricot Chicken in a baking dish.

Baked Apricot Chicken

This is actually the method I use the most. It is SO easy and I can prepare the rest of the meal while the chicken is baking. Baked apricot chicken goes great with rice or along with a side salad. The leftovers are amazing served over green salad the next day (try it with blue cheese crumbles and vinaigrette).

Tongs grabbing Apricot Chicken breast from a baking dish.

Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken

I like this method when I want to shred the chicken and put it over rice. The chicken comes out of the Crock Pot nice and tender and shreds easily. I also like this method for when I want to get dinner prepped earlier in the day. I love coming home and having dinner DONE.

Six servings of cooked Instant Pot Apricot Chicken in the Instant Pot.

Instant Pot Apricot Chicken

This method is great when you are in a pinch and need dinner done, like now. I have gotten the burn notice before when I haven’t put the water at the bottom of the Instant Pot first. Adding water to the bottom seems to fix this problem. You can serve the chicken shredded or as whole pieces.

Grilled Apricot Chicken

This is my favorite way of preparing the chicken in the summertime. The apricot mixture makes for an excellent glaze. We have also tried it over kabobs and it really brings out the flavor of the vegetables. Try it with peppers, onions, pineapple, and, of course, apricots! You won’t regret it.

Apricot Chicken on a plate with green beans and rice on a plate.

Try it Bite-Sized

Since my kids are still pretty little and like to have their chicken cut into pieces, sometimes I will cut up the chicken into bite-sized pieces before baking. This will also cut down on the cooking time if you are in a hurry. Prepare it in the baking dish the exact same way as in the recipe. Just place the chicken pieces in a greased baking dish and pour the sauce over the top. Check the chicken at around 20 minutes for doneness. Serve it over rice as you would your favorite Asian-inspired chicken recipes, like sweet and sour chicken. My kids are more willing to eat it this way because they feel like they are eating Chinese take-out.

What to Serve with Apricot Chicken

Apricot chicken can be served with all kinds of side dishes. We usually serve it with white or brown rice (we love spooning the extra apricot sauce over it). You can also serve it with quinoa, baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, or even just serve with with some steamed or grilled vegetables. Here’s some more great ideas to serve with apricot chicken:

Additional Tips and Tricks

  • Brown the Chicken: For extra flavor, sear the chicken in a hot skillet with a bit of oil until it’s nicely browned on both sides. This extra step adds depth to the final dish.
  • Use Fresh or Quality Apricot Preserves: Opt for good quality apricot preserves or jam for a rich apricot flavor. You can also use fresh ripe apricots if they are in season.
  • Enhance the Sauce: Create a flavorful sauce by adding ingredients like minced garlic, ginger, chopped onions, and a touch of soy sauce or Dijon mustard.
  • Add a Tangy Element: A splash of lemon juice or a bit of vinegar can add a tangy dimension to balance the sweetness of the apricot sauce.
  • Garnish Creatively: Garnish the dish with chopped fresh herbs or toasted nuts, like almonds or pistachios, for added texture and visual appeal.
  • Control the Thickness of the Sauce: Adjust the thickness of the sauce by letting it reduce further or thinning it with a bit of chicken broth if needed.
  • Let It Rest: Allow the cooked chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute throughout the meat.

Read Next: 25+ Quick and Easy Dinner Ideas

Side view of Apricot Chicken breast on a plate with a cut out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Apricot Chicken Gluten Free?

It easily can be! Onion soup mix and Catalina dressing are the only ingredients in this recipe that can contain gluten. Both of these ingredients are available gluten free. Check the labels at the store.

Can I freeze Apricot Chicken?

Absolutely! Place the raw chicken in a freezer bag with the apricot mixture. Carefully press the air out of the bag so it will lie flat. Seal the bag. Using your hands on the outside of the sealed bag, shake or squeeze the contents of the bag to distribute the sauce evenly. Freeze for up to six months. When you are ready to use it, place the bag in the refrigerator for 24 hours, or until chicken is thawed. Prepare according to recipe.

What goes well with Apricot Chicken?

We like to serve Apricot Chicken with brown rice, white rice, or quinoa. Spoon the excess sauce over the rice when serving. It is so good! If grilling or baking the chicken, serve with baked potatoes or roasted potatoes. A simple green salad or roasted vegetables are sides that also go well with this dish.

More Easy Chicken Recipes

How to Make Apricot Chicken

Side view of Apricot Chicken breast on a plate with a cut out.

Easy Apricot Chicken

4.96 from 44 votes
Make this easy, flavorful apricot chicken in the oven, slow cooker, pressure cooker, or even on the grill. You just can't go wrong with this recipe!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Video

Ingredients

  • 3 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
  • 1 cup apricot preserves
  • 1 cup Catalina salad dressing (or Russian dressing)
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 ounces dried onion soup mix

Instructions

  • In a medium-sized bowl, combine apricot preserves, Catalina dressing, onion soup mix, and Dijon mustard. Mix well. 
    Bowl of sauce for Instant Pot Apricot Chicken. Wooden spoon on the side.

Baked Instructions:

  • Preheat oven to 375℉. Place chicken in a greased 9×13 baking dish. Pour apricot mixture evenly over chicken and bake 40-45 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. 
    Baked Apricot Chicken in a baking dish.

Slow Cooker Instructions:

  • Place chicken in slow cooker. Pour apricot mixture over chicken and cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low heat for 4-6 hours. Serve as whole pieces or shred. 
    Tongs grabbing Apricot Chicken breast from a baking dish.

Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot) Instructions:

  • Put ⅓ cup water in the Instant Pot. Place chicken in the water and then pour the apricot mixture over the top. Place lid (make sure release tab is set to "sealing") and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes and allow to natural release for additional 5 minutes. 
    Six servings of cooked Instant Pot Apricot Chicken in the Instant Pot.

Grilled Instructions:

  • Place chicken in a large sealing freezer bag. Place half of the apricot mixture in a bowl and set aside. Pour the rest of the apricot mixture in the bag with the chicken and place in refrigerator for 2-3 hours. Remove chicken from bag and discard marinade.
    Grill chicken over medium-high heat for about 5-6 minutes on each side or until chicken is completely cooked through (internal temp of 165℉), brushing with remaining apricot mixture while grilling.  
    Side view of Apricot Chicken breast on a plate with a cut out.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 261kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 24gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 717mgPotassium: 425mgFiber: 1gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 35IUVitamin C: 1.6mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 0.5mg

Love this recipe?

We want to hear from you! Please leave a review.

Rate and Review



Share This With the World

PinYummly

About the author

Erica Walker

Erica lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, Jared, an attorney, and her three beautiful girls. Beyond the world of recipes, she loves adventuring with everything from kayaking, to cruising, to snowboarding and taking the family along for the thrill ride.

More about Erica Walker

Similar Recipes

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

How many stars would you give this recipe?




Comments

  1. I have made variations of this for years. This is now my go to recipe with one minor suggestion. I have a grill pan with ridges and I get grill marks on the chicken before I bake it.

  2. 5 stars
    I have made this recipe for years now. I lost it when my last computer crashed. I’m excited to have it again.

See More Comments