Classic Apricot Chicken

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This classic apricot chicken is only 4 ingredients – apricot jam, onion soup mix, chicken, and French dressing. Sweet, sticky, and incredibly retro, you can’t help but be won over by this simple apricot chicken recipe!

Instead of using French dressing, you could also make your own homemade Russian dressing recipe! Or, for a different take on chicken, why not try this Honey Garlic Instant Pot Chicken Thighs recipe?

Apricot Chicken

Using preserves like apricot jam with meat might seem strange to the modern cook, but it is actually a classic way to brighten up dishes and transform even a boring chicken into an incredibly tasty dinner.

The sweetness of the apricot jam and the tart spiciness of the Russian dressing combine together wonderfully, and the onion soup mix brings all of the salty, savory flavors that you crave with a roast chicken!

Ingredients for Apricot Chicken

This is SO easy you guys, very few ingredients and tastes like you cooked all day!

Chicken

• Chicken thighs – I prefer thighs as they don’t dry out like chicken breast, but the choice is up to you
• Oil
• Salt & pepper

Apricot Sauce

• Apricot preserves
• French dressing (or Russian dressing, depending on your preference)
• Dry onion soup mix

How to Make Apricot Chicken

• Season, your chicken with salt & pepper on both sides
• Fry in oil until all sides are browned
• Mix together all of the sauce ingredients
• Brush half of the sauce on the chicken, and then bake for 30 minutes at 350.
• Add the rest of the sauce to the chicken and cook until internal temperature reads 185.

Make Sure You Use Chicken Thighs!

Chicken thighs have a bad reputation in certain places, with some people preferring to use chicken breasts instead. However, the long cooking times and sweeter taste of the sauce will basically turn a chicken breast into a dry mess if you try and cook with it, so make sure you use thighs! The choice is up to you as always, but I always let you guys know what cut of meat works the best in each recipe, then you can make your own choice!

The slow, gentle cooking time will gradually cook the thighs, releasing all of its natural flavors, enhancing the sauce at the same time.

You could even use an entire broken-down chicken instead of just thighs in this recipe, but make sure that your breasts don’t overcook.

How to Freeze Apricot Chicken

This apricot chicken is incredibly rich and filling, so you might find yourself having some leftover that you want to freeze for later. Despite the stickiness of the sauce, it will freeze really well – just make sure to store it all together in a lidded container in your freezer.

When you want to it eat it, warm it back up in the oven set to 350. If you find the top is starting to brown too soon, you can tend it with foil to keep it from burning.

What to Serve with Apricot Chicken

Try some of these side dishes that are reader favorites!

• Jiffy Corn Casserole
• Hasselback Potatoes
• Roasted turnips
• Jiffy cornbread 

Happy cooking! Who else loves this retro recipe? Ah nothing like a pack of onion soup mix to make an easy, delicious dinner!

Love,

Karlynn

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