Classic Apricot Chicken (Printable)

Tender chicken in sweet apricot sauce with Dijon mustard and herbs. A comforting 45-minute meal perfect for family dinners.

# What You Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)

→ Sauce

02 - 1 cup apricot preserves
03 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
04 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed)
05 - 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
08 - 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

→ For Cooking

09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish (optional)

11 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
12 - Sliced fresh apricots

# Steps:

01 - Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken breasts and sear for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside on a plate.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
04 - Stir in apricot preserves, chicken broth, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and dried thyme. Whisk thoroughly to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
05 - Return chicken breasts to the skillet. Spoon sauce over the chicken. Cover with lid and simmer on low heat for 20–25 minutes, turning chicken once halfway through, until cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F) and sauce is slightly thickened.
06 - Remove lid and continue simmering uncovered for 3–5 minutes if a thicker consistency is desired.
07 - Transfer chicken to a serving platter and spoon remaining sauce over the top. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and fresh apricot slices if desired. Serve immediately with rice or steamed vegetables.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The sauce comes together with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry
  • Its one of those rare dishes that tastes even better the next day
02 -
  • Dont skip the searing step it creates flavor compounds that you cant get any other way
  • The sauce will continue thickening as it rests so dont reduce it too much on the stove
03 -
  • Use a whisk to break up any clumps of apricot preserves as they melt
  • Dont crowd the pan or the chicken will steam instead of sear

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