Name: Easy Baked Apricot Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound chicken breast (4 chicken breasts); 1/2 cup apricot preserves; 2 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp dijon mustard; 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger; 1/2 tsp kosher salt; 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

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Get ready to fall in love with dinner all over again! Easy Baked Apricot Chicken is that rare, magical recipe—super simple, mouthwateringly delicious, and stunning in its golden glaze. Whether you’re hosting, meal prepping, or just want something fuss-free yet special, this dish delivers sweet, tangy, and savory flavors in every bite. With just a handful of everyday ingredients, you can create a meal that sings with sticky apricot goodness and a gentle kick of ginger. If you’ve been searching for your new weeknight go-to or an impressive dish to serve friends, Easy Baked Apricot Chicken is about to become a favorite in your collection.

Easy Baked Apricot Chicken Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes Easy Baked Apricot Chicken so wonderful is its short list of kitchen staples—each one plays a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of flavors and inviting aroma. Let’s take a closer look at the all-star lineup:

Chicken breasts: Lean and quick-cooking, chicken breasts soak up the bold, sweet glaze beautifully and stay tender.
Apricot preserves: This brings the irresistible sweetness and helps form that glossy, sticky finish when baked.
Soy sauce: Adds essential savory depth and a little salty contrast to the fruitiness, enhancing overall flavor.
Dijon mustard: Not just for sandwiches—Dijon’s gentle tang gives backbone and subtle heat to the sauce.
Fresh ginger: A little fresh ginger makes the dish pop with warmth, brightness, and a bit of complexity.
Kosher salt: Balances all the flavors, making every bite savory rather than overly sweet.
Ground black pepper: Adds that little bite of heat, rounding out the sweet and savory elements beautifully.

How to Make Easy Baked Apricot Chicken

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Start by setting your oven to 400 ℉. This medium-high heat is perfect for sealing in juiciness and helping the apricot glaze caramelize just right. While the oven is preheating, grab a baking dish (about 9×13 inches works well so the chicken can swim in the sauce and cook evenly).

Step 2: Mix Up the Apricot Glaze

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the apricot preserves, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, grated fresh ginger, kosher salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and glossy. It’s that effortless—no special tricks, but the aroma already hints at something special! If you want fewer dishes, you can even make the glaze right in your baking dish.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

Lay the chicken breasts out in the baking dish and, using tongs or clean hands, make sure each piece gets a thick, even coating of that gorgeous apricot sauce. Getting every crevice covered guarantees maximum flavor and a mouthwatering presentation once baked.

Step 4: Bake Until Glazed and Juicy

Pop the baking dish into the oven and bake for about 25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 ℉. The glaze will bubble and thicken, blanketing the chicken in sticky, aromatic goodness. The transformation is dramatic—what goes in pale comes out golden, glossy, and hard to resist! Serve up your Easy Baked Apricot Chicken hot for the best taste and texture.

How to Serve Easy Baked Apricot Chicken

Garnishes

Dress up your platter by sprinkling chopped fresh herbs such as parsley or cilantro over the top—the vibrant green color pops against the amber sauce. For extra texture and a little crunch, toasted slivered almonds are a perfect finishing touch.

Side Dishes

Easy Baked Apricot Chicken pairs beautifully with fluffy jasmine rice that soaks up all that saucy goodness. For veggies, think bright and crisp: roasted green beans, steamed snap peas, or even a tangy cucumber salad are excellent for balancing the rich, sweet flavors. If you like heartier sides, try buttery mashed potatoes!

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re hosting, slice the chicken breasts before arranging them on a serving platter, spooning over extra glaze and garnishing to impress. Or, try serving the chicken family-style straight from the baking dish for an effortless-yet-elegant vibe. To make it finger-friendly for a party, cube the cooked chicken and skewer with toothpicks, brushing on a little more apricot glaze before serving warm.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Easy Baked Apricot Chicken stays moist and flavorful in the fridge for up to three days. After cooling, transfer the chicken and sauce to an airtight container. For best texture, keep the sauce with the chicken instead of storing separately—it keeps everything juicy.

Freezing

This recipe is freezer-friendly, too! Simply let the chicken cool completely, then wrap tightly or place in a freezer bag along with the glaze. Label and freeze for up to two months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results.

Reheating

To reheat, arrange the chicken in an oven-safe dish, spooning some glaze over the top to keep things moist. Warm in a 350 ℉ oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until heated through. If you’re in a hurry, microwaving works, but be sure to cover the dish to prevent drying out the sauce.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless skinless thighs are delicious with this glaze—just add 5 to 10 extra minutes to the bake time, checking that the internal temperature reaches 165 ℉.

Does Easy Baked Apricot Chicken work with other fruit preserves?

It sure does! Try swapping the apricot preserves for peach, orange marmalade, or even pineapple jam if you want to change things up. Each variation brings its own subtle twist to the dish.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

The only ingredient that may contain gluten is the soy sauce. Simply use a gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos in place of regular soy sauce to enjoy a completely gluten-free Easy Baked Apricot Chicken.

Can I prepare Easy Baked Apricot Chicken ahead of time?

Definitely! You can assemble the chicken and sauce in the baking dish, cover, and refrigerate it for a few hours (or even overnight) before baking. This helps the flavors develop even more while saving you time at dinnertime.

What can I do if my glaze is too thin?

If your sauce ends up a little runnier than you’d like, after baking, remove the chicken and simmer the glaze in a small saucepan on the stove for a few minutes to thicken it up before serving. You can also let it rest—a cooler glaze will thicken slightly.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re new to the kitchen or a seasoned home cook, Easy Baked Apricot Chicken deserves a spot in your regular rotation. It’s a no-fuss, flavor-packed dish that impresses with minimal effort—and who couldn’t use a little more of that magic at dinnertime? Give it a try soon and let the sticky, sweet-and-savory goodness become a new favorite at your table!

Easy Baked Apricot Chicken Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 10 reviews

Author: Jack
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Easy Baked Apricot Chicken recipe combines the sweetness of apricot preserves with savory soy sauce and dijon mustard for a flavorful dish that’s simple to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

1 pound chicken breast (4 chicken breasts)

For the Apricot Glaze:

1/2 cup apricot preserves
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp dijon mustard
1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400 ℉.
Mix the glaze: In a mixing bowl, whisk together apricot preserves, soy sauce, dijon mustard, ginger, salt, and pepper until fully combined. Pour the mixture into a baking dish.
Coat the chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the baking dish, ensuring they are thoroughly coated by the apricot mixture.
Bake: Bake for 25 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 ℉.
Serve: Serve over jasmine rice with your favorite vegetable side.