Apricot Chicken Thighs are seasoned, baked chicken thighs nestled in a sweet apricot sauce for a main dish that is as easy to make as it is delicious. Be sure to bookmark this recipe for those busy days during the week! You will also love my Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs if you love chicken thighs.
Apricot Chicken Thighs
I am always on the lookout for easy weeknight dinner ideas. And, I want them to be flavorful. This recipe is easy to put together and is packed with flavor. There is no marinating involved and the apricot sauce is a simple sauce that can be made while the chicken is baking in the oven. Serve with rice and vegetables for a complete meal.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Chicken: I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs because I love how moist and tender they are. (We tried skin-on chicken thighs but were not happy with the texture.) You could also use chicken breasts if preferred. However, you may have to adjust the baking time.
Apricot Preserves: Look for apricot preserves, as they have chunks of apricots. This will give the sticky sauce the most flavor. However, you could substitute apricot jam if that is all you have on hand.
How to Use Apricot Sauce
Well, besides this recipe, of course, there are a few ways you will want to use this sweet, sticky and somewhat tangy sauce. Try it on some pork chops, ribs, fish, or anything grilled. Or, serve it as a dipping sauce for some chicken tenders. You will want to try the sauce on as many foods as you can!
Can I Make this Ahead of Time?
With how easy this recipe comes together, you really don’t need to make anything ahead of time. However, you could certainly get the apricot sauce made in advance. Store the sauce in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks; it will make about a cup.
How to Store Apricot Chicken
This dish is best served nice and hot, right after the chicken is smothered in the sauce. However, if you have any leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Apricot Chicken
Ingredients
Chicken
- 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs, about 2 pounds
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Apricot Sauce
- ⅔ cup apricot preserves
- ½ medium orange, juiced (about ¼ cup)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon chili powder
- ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- scallions, sliced, for garnish
Instructions
Chicken
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix well.
- Pat chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. Then, add the chicken to the oil mixture, tossing to coat evenly.
- Transfer the chicken to the lined baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.
- While the chicken is baking, prepare the apricot sauce.
Apricot Sauce
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add all sauce ingredients and whisk to combine. Continue whisking frequently until the mixture begins to bubble.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 4-6 minutes, or until thickened.
- Add cooked chicken back into the skillet and toss to coat.
- Serve hot with rice or vegetables.
Did you make this recipe?
You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.
Thank you for sharing this recipe! I love it…great company dinner.
I added extra apple cider vinegar, blended 2 small apricots, and 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, and cup Sauvignon blanc. To mix with apricot preserve mixture. Then add baked chicken in large skillet with lid and cooked on low for additional half hour. This way the flavors permeate the chicken. Very tender and tasty. Thx for the idea. Mb
I made this recipe and it is basically delicious but I had to add more orange and 15 minutes wasn’t enough to cook the chicken but I just added chicken and let it simmer on the stove it was delicious
Had very little flavor. I would marinade next time and brown in skillet before baking.
It has great flavor. Maybe you used the wrong ingredients?
Followed the recipe as written
And the meal was very delicious.
Will be making it again soon!
Sorry I don’t do twitter or facebook cause if I did I’d be all over them with this recipe. Delicious, just the right amount of kick and not too sweet.
I am always looking for easy recipes to make for my elderly parents. I try hard to find new and tasty dishes for them. This was an easy dish to make and everyone loved it! I will definitely be making this again.
Delicious…will definitely be making this again.
Can I use Apricot Jam? Maybe reduce the sweetness???
Leave out the honey and add low-sodium soy sauce, or extra apple-cider vinegar?
This was delicious! I made it with bone in and skin on thighs( how can you pass on buy one pack get one free!)They were great but will try with boneless skinless next. Thanks for so many great recipes!
Could you use pineapple juice in place of orange juice? Not a fan of oranges.
Looks delicious will be making this tomorrow
Getting ready to try this! Will let you know how it goes!
I will try it it looks yummy
Your recepie is really nice.
Good
As a private contractor who does all the cooking for 7 people, I’m always on the hunt for fast and tasty meal recipes. The hard part was trying to find a meal that everyone would like and go back for seconds. We have four foster girls with diverse tastes from different ethnicities which made it tough to produce one meal for everyone, or do two separate meals to please the crowd. Your recipes are fabulous. They meet the criteria for everyone. I use your recipes on a regular basis. Thanx a bunch Amanda, for your time and efforts to offer up this site for all to experiance!
Thank you, Richard. And thank you for all you do!
This recipe sounds amazing and will be on my dinner table within a few days! 😋
Thank you for sharing your recipes. Love them
Your recipes are great
I love your recipes