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Apricot Chicken

This delightful apricot chicken dish boasts a tantalizing sweet-savory balance, enriched with apricot preserves, pineapple, and caramelized onions for a memorable meal.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 5 People

Ingredients
  

  • Skin-on bone-in chicken breasts (2 large or 1 pair of split breasts)
  • Paprika divided use (2 teaspoons)
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and cracked black pepper
  • White onions sliced into thin semi-circles (2 small)
  • Garlic cloves minced or pressed (2)
  • Chicken stock or broth 1 cup
  • All-natural apricot preserves 1 cup
  • Organic canned pineapple chunks drained, with juice reserved (1 cup; approximately 6 fluid ounces juice)
  • BBQ sauce 1 tablespoon
  • Unsalted butter cold (2 tablespoons)
  • Chopped green onion 2 tablespoons

Instructions
 

  • Begin by organizing and preparing all ingredients as outlined in the list. This step ensures a smooth cooking process.
  • Place a large, heavy-bottomed pan, such as a Dutch oven, over medium-high heat to preheat.
  • Lightly coat the chicken breasts with olive oil and season them generously with salt, cracked black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of paprika. Massage the spices into the chicken for even seasoning.
  • Add a drizzle of olive oil to the heated pan and lay the chicken breasts skin-side down. Sear for approximately 4–5 minutes until golden and crisp, then flip and cook on the bone-side for an additional 3 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
  • Lower the heat to medium-low. Add more olive oil if the pan appears dry. Introduce the sliced onions, allowing them to soften and caramelize over 10–12 minutes while stirring frequently to avoid burning.
  • Once the onions are golden and aromatic, sprinkle in the remaining teaspoon of paprika. Incorporate the minced garlic, stirring briefly to release its fragrance.
  • Stir in the chicken stock, apricot preserves, pineapple chunks, reserved pineapple juice, and BBQ sauce. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and the preserves have fully dissolved. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
  • Return the seared chicken breasts to the pan, placing them bone-side down. Reduce the heat to low and let the chicken simmer uncovered for 35 minutes, occasionally turning it in the sauce during the last 10 minutes to ensure thorough coating.
  • Remove the chicken from the pan temporarily. Increase the heat to medium-high and simmer the sauce for an additional 5–7 minutes to reduce and thicken it slightly. Turn off the heat once desired consistency is achieved.
  • Whisk the cold butter into the sauce to achieve a glossy finish. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of chopped green onion for added freshness.
  • Allow the chicken to cool slightly, then carve it from the bone and return the sliced meat to the pan, ensuring it is thoroughly coated with the sauce.
  • Serve the chicken generously coated with the sauce. Pair with your preferred side dish, and garnish with additional chopped green onion for a vibrant touch. Add a dash of hot sauce or sriracha if desired for a spicy kick.
Keyword Apricot Chicken