Easy Apricot Chicken | Favorite Family Recipes (2024)

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!

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!

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

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).

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.

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.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

More Easy Chicken Recipes

How to Make Apricot Chicken