Easy Baked Apricot Chicken Recipe
If you’re on the hunt for a meal that’s impossibly easy yet tastes like a special occasion, Easy Baked Apricot Chicken will win your dinnertime heart. This dish delivers golden, juicy chicken nestled in a sweet-and-savory glaze that brings out the best in every bite. It’s vibrant, family-friendly, wonderfully aromatic, and destined to become one of those back-pocket recipes you’ll revisit again and again. Trust me, the combination of tangy apricot, zingy ginger, and savory notes is irresistible—and it’s all done in under an hour! Whether you’re a weeknight chef or planning for a cozy weekend meal, Easy Baked Apricot Chicken fits any table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Easy Baked Apricot Chicken is how just a handful of common ingredients come together with big flavor. Each one brings its own signature touch—whether it’s color, texture, aroma, or the delicious sauce you’ll want to spoon over everything.
- Chicken breast: Lean and tender, this is the perfect canvas for all that luscious apricot sauce.
- Apricot preserves: Adds natural sweetness and a beautiful golden color, transforming the glaze into something truly special.
- Soy sauce: Provides an umami depth and a gentle saltiness that balances the fruity flavors.
- Dijon mustard: Brings a subtle tang and a bit of sharpness to cut through the sweetness.
- Fresh grated ginger: Lends brightness and just a hint of zing, making the whole dish come alive.
- Kosher salt: Essential for drawing out the flavors and ensuring the chicken is perfectly seasoned.
- Black pepper: Adds just enough gentle heat to brighten up the glaze and tie everything together.
How to Make Easy Baked Apricot Chicken
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 400°F so it’s piping hot by the time your chicken is ready to go in. A properly preheated oven ensures the chicken stays juicy and the glaze caramelizes beautifully on top.
Step 2: Whisk the Apricot Glaze
Grab a medium mixing bowl and whisk together the apricot preserves, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, grated fresh ginger, salt, and black pepper. Aim for a smooth, well-blended glaze so every bite of chicken will be evenly coated in flavor. If you’re short on time, you can whisk everything right in your baking dish for one less thing to wash.
Step 3: Coat the Chicken
Add the chicken breasts to your baking dish and turn them in the apricot glaze until they’re generously coated on all sides. Give them a little wiggle to nestle them into the sauce—this helps keep them moist and ensures maximum flavor absorption.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Slide the dish into the oven and bake for about 25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. You’ll notice the sauce bubbling and turning gorgeously glossy—absolute proof of deliciousness in the making.
How to Serve Easy Baked Apricot Chicken
Garnishes
Give your Easy Baked Apricot Chicken a final flourish with a shower of chopped fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley. A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or sliced green onions adds both crunch and visual pop, making your dish not only tastier but also beautiful enough for guests.
Side Dishes
This chicken is amazing served over fluffy jasmine or basmati rice, which soaks up the sweet-savory sauce perfectly. On the side, try simple steamed broccoli, green beans, or a bright garden salad for freshness and color—these lighter sides let the flavors of the chicken truly shine.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re entertaining, slice the chicken and fan it over a bed of rice for an elegant look or spoon the saucy chicken into lettuce cups for hand-held bites at a party. Easy Baked Apricot Chicken also shines shredded and tossed into a robust grain bowl for a fresh spin on leftovers.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store the cooled chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll stay perfectly tasty for up to 3 days, making lunchtime a breeze.
Freezing
Easy Baked Apricot Chicken is a great freezer meal! Simply freeze cooked chicken (sliced or whole) and sauce together in a freezer-safe bag or container. It will keep its flavor and texture for up to 2 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
For best results, reheat leftovers gently in a covered skillet over medium-low heat until warmed through, spooning the sauce over top. You can also microwave individual portions; a splash of water or extra preserves will help maintain that lovely glaze.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs work beautifully with this recipe and offer a bit more juicy richness. Just adjust your baking time as they may need a few extra minutes to reach 165°F internally.
Is there a substitute for apricot preserves?
If you can’t find apricot preserves, peach or orange marmalade also work well, providing similar sweetness and a tangy fruitiness that pairs with the other flavors in this dish.
How can I make this dish gluten-free?
Simply use a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari, and double-check your Dijon mustard is gluten-free. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making Easy Baked Apricot Chicken an easy choice for those avoiding gluten.
Can I prep Easy Baked Apricot Chicken ahead?
You sure can! Assemble the chicken and sauce in the baking dish, cover, and refrigerate for up to a day before baking. This actually helps the flavors meld even more for an extra-special result.
What can I add for a spicy kick?
If you love heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a squirt of Sriracha to the glaze before baking. The combination of spicy and sweet is absolutely irresistible.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a comforting dish that punches far above its effort level, give Easy Baked Apricot Chicken a try. With just a few pantry staples and quick prep, you’ll impress your family—or yourself—with something truly special. Enjoy every sweet, savory bite!
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Easy Baked Apricot Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Easy Baked Apricot Chicken recipe combines the sweet tanginess of apricot preserves with savory soy sauce and dijon mustard for a deliciously flavorful dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1 pound chicken breast (4 chicken breasts)
Apricot Glaze:
- 1/2 cup apricot preserves
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400 ℉.
- Mix the Glaze: In a mixing bowl, whisk together apricot preserves, soy sauce, dijon mustard, ginger, salt, and pepper until fully combined. Pour the mixture into a baking dish.
- Coat the Chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the baking dish, ensuring they are thoroughly coated by the apricot mixture.
- Bake: Bake for 25 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 ℉. Serve over jasmine rice with your favorite vegetable side.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: Apricot Chicken, Baked Chicken, Easy Dinner Recipe
