Quick and Easy Apricot Chicken

This quick and easy Apricot Chicken makes a delicious family meal! It only takes a handful of simple ingredients and is on the table in 25 minutes.

Apricot Chicken is an easy recipe that the whole family can enjoy. The combination of sweet and savoury makes this dish incredibly delicious – no more boring chicken dinners!

The recipe has been around for a very long time, but with everyone having their own spin on it.

This Apricot Chicken recipe has instructions for making it on the stove top when you want a fast family dinner on the table or in the slow cooker when you want to come home to a hot dinner already prepared.

Easy Apricot Chicken

Why this is the BEST Apricot Chicken

Apricot Chicken Slow Cooker

When you’re short on time, especially during the week, a slow cooker is your best friend!

To make this an apricot chicken slow cooker recipe just add all of the ingredients to the dish, give it a quick mix and turn on the low for 6-8 hours.

When you get home, quickly make up some rice, couscous or mashed potato and dinner is ready!

The chicken is so tender and pulling apart from cooking on low all day and the sauce incredibly flavourful.

What to Serve with Apricot Chicken?

Serve these side dishes along with Apricot Chicken to make a delicious meal.

Rice – White rice or brown rice is usually my side of choice with apricot chicken as it absorbs the sauce really well. You can either make the rice yourself or use a microwave packet that cooks in a few minutes to make it even easier!

Couscous – Even more simple to cook than rice, couscous just needs boiling stock poured over the top. Let it sit for a few minutes and fluff up with a fork before serving. Give Israeli Couscous or Pearl Couscous a try.

Mashed Potato – Is there anything better than smooth fluffy mashed potato? A classic side to go with this savoury fruity chicken dish.

Green Beans – I always have a pack of green beans in my freezer, they go with everything! Add them to a pan with a little butter and cook over high heat until the beans have a little colour, delicious!

Peas – Instead of cooking vegetables on the side, try adding a cup of frozen peas to the Apricot Chicken. It’ll add a little colour while also giving some flavour and nutrition to this dish.

Side Salad – More on the lighter side, a simple green salad with your favourite veggies works really well with this dish.

Tips and Tricks

Sear the chicken well – Searing the chicken first gives it flavour. The chicken cooks in the apricot sauce so searing it is just to give it flavour so make sure the heat is on high.

Thicken the sauce – The sauce is the perfect consistency for serving with rice or couscous but you may want it thicker with mash potato. If you do want to thicken the sauce, dissolve 2 tsp of cornflour in 2 Tbsp of water. Add it to the pan and stir, the sauce will immediately start to thicken up.

Apricot Chicken Thighs – The recipe calls for chicken thighs but chicken breast, chicken drumsticks or bone in chicken thighs can all be used.

Where does Apricot Chicken come from?

Apricot Chicken was a recipe that was thought to be developed in the 1970’s as a new way of using packet soups. It’s often thought that the recipe is Australian but the same recipe was also posted in newspaper in the US.

Apricot Chicken Ingredients

Skinless Boneless Chicken Thighs – Chicken breast can also be used instead of chicken thighs but be careful of overcooking the breasts as they can become tough and dry. Chicken thighs are much more forgiving.

Flour – Flour coats the chicken to create a crust and also thickens the sauce as it cooks.

Oil – Just a neutral flavourless oil like canola or sunflower

French Onion Soup Mix – This is a powdered soup mix that can be used for seasoning. If you cannot find French Onion Soup mix use another light flavour like onion.

Tinned Apricots in Syrup – Use any brand of tinned apricot halves. Apricots in juice can be used instead of syrup but the sauce will be less sweet.

Chicken Stock – Liquid or powdered chicken stock or chicken broth can be used. If powder is being used, make it up in a seperate jug before adding to the pan with the chicken.

How to Make Apricot Chicken

Coat the chicken thighs in flour.

Heat a heavy based fry pan over high heat. When hot add the oil and chicken thighs.

Fry on each side for a few minutes until golden brown, the chicken does not need to be cooked through.

Sprinkle the French Onion Soup mix over the chicken and pour in the tinned apricots along with the syrup in the tin and the chicken stock.

Mix everything together and cook on medium-low for about 20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly.

Serving

Serve the Apricot Chicken on a bed of rice or mashed potato with a side of greens.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat the leftovers in the microwave or in a saucepan over low heat until hot.

FAQ

How to thicken apricot chicken?

If you want to thicken the sauce mix 2 tsp of corn flour with 2 Tbsp of water. Add it to the sauce and mix through. Alternatively remove the cooked chicken from the pan and simmer the sauce for longer until thickened.

How long to cook apricot chicken?

It should only take about 20-25 mins to cook the chicken. It’s seared in the pan to create flavour and simmered in the sauce to cook the chicken through. Use a thermometer or cut into a piece of chicken to make sure its cooked through fully.

What vegetables to serve with apricot chicken?

There are so many options! Broccoli, green beans, peas or a salad are some of my favourites.

What is a substitute for Apricot Nectar?

This Apricot Chicken recipe has no apricot Nectar in it. Instead it uses the syrup that comes in the tin of apricots!

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