Liven up busy weeknights with this Apricot Chicken recipe. The whole family will love the unique apricot and barbecue flavors of this oven-glazed main dish, and you’ll love how easy it is to make. Grab a pack of boneless thighs, whip up this simple marinade, and you’re ready to enjoy the best dinner!
Baked Apricot Chicken Recipe
Baked chicken is the #1 main dish I turn to on busy days.
It’s quick. It’s simple. It’s healthy. And everyone always gives it rave reviews.
That is, until they’ve had the same dish, week after week. I have to find new ways to cook up this go-to protein.
That’s where Baked Apricot Chicken comes in to save the day!
It’s still got the simplicity of a typical baked chicken recipe, but SO much incredible flavor. (Thanks to a UNIQUE combination of ingredients in the simple sauce and cooking techniques that I’ll share with you below.)
Your dinner table won’t know what hit it with this perfectly balanced sweet and savory chicken dish. Don’t be surprised if this quickly becomes your favorite way to enjoy juicy chicken thighs—it definitely has for me!
(Looking for other easy chicken dinners? Don’t miss this Balsamic Glazed Chicken or Baked Honey Mustard Chicken.)
What Makes This Apricot Chicken Special?
Here are a few reasons why I can’t get enough of this easy recipe:
- By using chicken thighs and not breasts, you get chicken that comes out extra juicy.
- Barbecue sauce is used instead of the traditional ketchup to give it a little extra peppery bite.
- The acidity of lime juice balances out the sweetness from the apricot preserves.
- Cooking the chicken at a high heat gives you a crispy exterior while still getting super tender meat.
To sum it up: you end up with a balanced sauce that’s sweet and spicy with a hint of acidity and perfectly juicy and tender chicken. What more could you ask for?!
Ingredients
To make this apricot chicken recipe you need:
- Chicken. For this recipe, boneless skinless chicken thighs are the best option. You can also use skinless chicken breasts, but they won’t be quite as juicy.
- Apricot preserves. The flavor of apricots pairs perfectly with the tangy barbecue sauce. Be sure to read the label and get a jar of apricot preserves at your local grocery store without as many preservatives or as much added sugar if needed. And pay attention to the difference between jam and preserves.
- Sauce. While both barbecue sauce and ketchup will work, BBQ is definitely recommended. Grab your favorite brand at the store.
- Lime. Fresh squeezed lime juice cuts the sweetness of the sauce.
- Soy sauce. This is needed to make the marinade; you can also choose Worcestershire sauce if you prefer.
- Garlic. Freshly minced garlic cloves create so much flavor in the sauce.
- Sriracha. If you love a little extra kick, you can add in some of this hot sauce. It is totally optional, though.
How to Make Apricot Chicken Thighs
Below you’ll find the steps to make these quick apricot chicken thighs at home:
Make the Sauce
First, preheat the oven to 400℉.
In a large or medium bowl, mix together the preserves, barbecue sauce, lime juice, soy sauce, garlic, Sriracha, salt, and black pepper. Stir the sauce ingredients well.
Then, reserve half the sauce in another bowl.
Coat and Bake the Chicken
Line up the chicken thighs in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour half of the sauce over the pieces, being sure to lift them slightly so they are completely covered.
Bake the chicken in the 400℉ preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes. It is done when the internal temperature on a meat thermometer is 165℉. (Here’s more on the internal temperature for chicken.)
The cooking time will vary based on the thickness of the thighs.
Finish and Enjoy
While the chicken is baking in the oven, add the second half of the apricot sauce to a small saucepan.
Over medium-low heat, warm it up. It should only take a few minutes.
Spoon the heated sauce over the cooked and tender chicken thighs. Be careful of the hot pan!
Sprinkle with fresh cilantro or parsley.
Meal Prep and Storage
- How to prep ahead of time: You can make the sauce the day before, just keep it in the fridge.
- How to store: Keep leftover apricot chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days.
- How to freeze: Place the completely cooled chicken in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 4 to 6 months.
- How to reheat: Warm leftover chicken back up in the microwave or use the oven for the best results.
What’s the difference between apricot preserves and apricot jam?
The main difference between preserves and jam is the texture—jam is made from crushed fruit pulp while preserves contains visible chunks of the fruit. Jam is generally more spreadable while preserves are better scooped out.
Why is my chicken dry?
If your chicken turns out dry, it’s likely because you overcooked it or didn’t use a marinade. This post, What temperature is chicken done? walks you through everything you need to know for perfectly cooked chicken.
Dietary Modifications
The recipe you’ll find below is already gluten-free and dairy-free as written. Here are some adjustments and substitutions you can make to help it fit your other dietary requirements:
- Sugar-free: Use barbecue sauce and preserves free from added sugar.
- Soy-free: Stick with Worcestershire sauce or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Leg, please. Chicken thighs really take this dish over the top!
- Save some. Be sure to reserve half the sauce to pour over the chicken after baking.
- You choose. Grab whatever brand of barbecue sauce you love the most.
- Change it up. While this recipe calls for apricot preserves, you can substitute peach preserves, cherry, or another flavor of your choosing.
- Some like it hot. Add as much or as little Sriracha as you like.
What to Serve with Apricot Chicken
This delicious meal is complete with some healthy veggies on the side. Try one of these dishes for an easy dinner.
If you’re looking for a grain, try Instant Pot Wild Rice, Instant Pot White Rice, or this Coconut Rice.
You can’t go wrong with Broccoli Slaw, Air Fryer Green Beans, or Melting Potatoes.
Or, pair with a green salad with Ranch Dressing.
More Chicken Recipes
Chicken is so good for you, and thankfully it’s also super versatile. Put these recipes on your menu soon.
For some real flavor, try Massaman Chicken Curry or General Tso’s Chicken.
If you love thighs, you have to taste these Air Fryer Chicken Thighs.
You can also quickly whip up Instant Pot Shredded Chicken or Instant Pot Shredded Salsa Chicken.
And don’t miss out on this Gluten-free Chicken Parmesan.
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Apricot Chicken Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs. chicken thighs or chicken breasts
- ¾ cup apricot preserves
- ¼ cup barbecue sauce or ketchup
- 2 Tbsp. lime juice freshly squeezed
- 1 Tbsp. soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- ½-1 tsp. Sriracha sauce optional
- 1 tsp. salt to taste
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
- Fresh parsley or cilantro finely chopped, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Add the preserves, barbecue sauce, lime juice, soy sauce, garlic, Sriracha sauce, salt, and black pepper to a medium-sized bowl. Whisk until well combined. Reserve half of the sauce for later.
- Add the chicken to a 9×13 inch baking dish and pour half of the sauce over it. Lift the thighs up to let some of the sauce get underneath the chicken.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- While the chicken is baking, heat up the reserved sauce in a small saucepan over medium-low heat for a few minutes.
- Serve the chicken with the sauce and finely chopped fresh cilantro or parsley.
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Video
Notes
Meal Prep and Storage
- How to prep ahead of time: You can make the sauce the day before, just keep it in the fridge.
- How to store: Keep leftover apricot chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days.
- How to freeze: Place the completely cooled chicken in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 4 to 6 months.
- How to reheat: Warm leftover chicken back up in the microwave or use the oven for the best results.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
