Are you looking for a chicken dish that will be tender, juicy, and oh-so delicious? This Apricot Glazed Baked Chicken uses the sweet pairing of apricot jam and tender chicken to create an amazing main course that can be served with your favorite side dishes!

sliced chicken with apricots on a white platter

Sweet and savory flavor combinations work so well! Why? They complement each other amazingly! This apricot glazed chicken is a perfect example of sweet and savory work in action to create an easy chicken recipe the whole family will love!

Simply bake the chicken in the oven until tender and juicy. The sugar in the apricot preserves will become caramelized, giving it a sweet and sticky glaze. The apricots provide an amazing flavor as well as a beautiful color to the chicken!

sliced chicken on a plate with rice and green beans

Apricot baked chicken can be served with a variety of different side dishes ranging from The Best Caesar Salad, to Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes or Coconut Rice.

No matter how you enjoy it, this easy chicken dinner will be sure to wow your family and guests! The first few times I made this recipe, there were absolutely zero leftovers and my kids begged for more. When I serve it for the holidays, people tell me how much they look forward to eating it! That’s how I knew this dish was a winner.

Some Notes on the Ingredients

ingredients on a board such as raw chicken, spices and apricot jam
  • Chicken Breast – You could also use thighs if you prefer.
  • Whole Grain Mustard – If you don’t have whole grain mustard you can use dijon. I love the texture the whole grain gives to the sauce.
  • Soy Sauce – You can also use coconut aminos or tamari instead.
3 small bowls filled with kosher salt

The Home Cook’s Guide to Salt

Learn about the basics of salt, plus the best salt for cooking (hint: it’s Kosher salt!) with this easy-to-understand guide to salt for home cooks.

How To Make Apricot Glazed Chicken

marinade in a bowl
Add marinade ingredients to a bowl
a white bowl with apricot marinade and a spoon
Mix until well combined
chicken marinating in a baking dish
Add the raw chicken breasts
chicken marinating in a baking dish
Toss until chicken is coated then cover until ready to use
chicken marinating in a baking dish
Put marinated chicken in baking dish and bake
apricot sauce being spooned over baked chicken

Recipe Tips

  • Always marinate the chicken for at least an hour to get the full flavor of the apricot glaze. For best results, marinate for up to 24 hours if you have the time.
  • Use a meat thermometer to make sure the chicken is cooked to the proper temperature.
  • Letting the chicken sit at room temperature before baking will ensure that it cooks evenly and doesn’t get tough in the oven.
  • Keep an eye on the chicken while baking in the last 10 minutes to ensure it isn’t getting too browned. If so, reduce the oven temperature or cover with foil and finish cooking through.
  • The apricot glaze will get more sticky and caramelized as it bakes, so if you want a thinner glaze, brush it on the chicken during the last few minutes of baking.

Variations & Substitutions

  • Add some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the marinade for an extra kick of heat.
  • Fresh thyme, rosemary, and sage all work nicely in this apricot-glazed chicken recipe.
  • If apricot preserves aren’t available, apricot jam can be used instead.
  • If you don’t have butter, you can use olive oil instead.
sliced chicken with apricots on a platter

Storing & Freezing

Storing: Once cooled, any leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Freezing: To freeze apricot glazed chicken, let it cool completely before wrapping tightly with plastic and then aluminum foil. Then place in a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 3 months. To defrost, transfer it from the freezer to the fridge the night before and let it thaw overnight before reheating and serving.

Print
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apricot sauce being spooned over baked chicken

Easy Apricot Glazed Baked Chicken

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 10 reviews
  • Author: Laney Schwartz
  • Prep Time: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Oven baked
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Apricot Glazed Chicken uses the sweet pairing of apricots and tender chicken to create an amazing main course that can be served with your favorite side dishes!


Ingredients

Scale
  • ¾ cup apricot preserves
  • 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce or coconut aminos
  • 2 tablespoons melted, unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 4 pieces)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl or baking dish add the apricot preserves, mustard, soy sauce, butter, thyme, salt and pepper and whisk until well combined. Add the chicken and toss until well coated.