Description
Quick Apricot Chicken is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish featuring tender diced chicken breast simmered in a sweet and tangy apricot sauce with hints of orange juice, BBQ sauce, soy sauce, and honey. This recipe comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners. Serve it over rice and garnish with chopped scallions and sesame seeds for a delicious meal that the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon oil (sesame or any neutral oil)
- 1 pound diced chicken breast
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Sauce
- 1/3 cup orange juice (or more for thinner sauce)
- 1 cup apricot jam or preserves
- 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
For Serving
- Chopped scallions
- Sesame seeds
- Cooked rice
Instructions
- Brown chicken: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken breast and cook until it gets a nice brown color on the outside; it does not need to be cooked completely through at this stage. Then stir in the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Make sauce: Pour the orange juice into the skillet with the chicken, using a spatula or wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the apricot jam, BBQ sauce, soy sauce, and honey. Stir everything well to combine the flavors.
- Finish dish: Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and gently simmer until the chicken is fully cooked through with an internal temperature of 160°F and the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. Serve the apricot chicken hot over cooked rice, topped with chopped scallions and sesame seeds for a fresh, crunchy garnish.
Notes
- Use orange juice to balance the sweetness of the apricot jam and add a citrus brightness.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for a juicier option if preferred.
- Adjust the amount of orange juice to make the sauce thinner or thicker depending on your preference.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely.
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce.
