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Do you ever keep eating something, trying to like it, even though you know you don’t like it? But for some twisted reason, you get it in your head that maybe if you just try it one more time, this time you’ll actually like it? I don’t know why I do that. And I have done that too many times to count with chocolate mint, among other foods. You see, I don’t like chocolate mint, but as a kid in the 1970’s, there weren’t a lot of other chocolate options available to us. And if you didn’t get in on the After Eight’s action, you were pretty much SOL for chocolate. So I kept trying to like it.
My Mom’s Honey Mustard Chicken is another one of those foods. Surprisingly, this 5 ingredient Easy Apricot Chicken recipe was actually born out of that very Honey Mustard Chicken recipe that I don’t like. Although, this recipe is amazing! But all the same, it’s hard to tell your Mom that you don’t like one of her signature dishes, especially when everyone else loves it and it’s actually so well- loved that your Dad even requests it for his birthday dinner!
Uncomplicated chicken dinners:
I love uncomplicated, 5 ingredient dinner dishes; dishes you can dump and cook. My 5 Ingredient Caprese Sheet Pan Chicken Breast is another one of those quick and easy 5 ingredient chicken dishes. If you love easy chicken dinners, you should try it!
But I tell ‘ya, this easy oven baked apricot chicken recipe is a dream come true on those days when you have little to no meal inspiration and/or don’t want to hit the grocery store. It’s a one-pot meal that requires very little effort and uses staples from your pantry. The Dijon mustard and sweet red chili sauce give it a nice little kick and using apricot preserves with chicken is simply brilliant. I can say that because my Mom actually came up with the idea to use apricot jam in this chicken recipe. I just changed it a little and kicked it up a notch.
I have to say, though, Mom TOTALLY redeemed herself with this apricot jam chicken!
My Mom has known about my dislike for her Honey Mustard Chicken for a long time and unlike me, she doesn’t take it personally when someone doesn’t like her food. And now we will always have this delicious and Easy Apricot Chicken to bond over. We actually do bond over easy food.
And I finally stopped trying to like food that I know I don’t like because life is short and there are too many things out there to eat that I know for sure I actually like! It’s emancipating when I’m offered chocolate orange and I can say, “No thank you. I don’t like chocolate orange.” And even when others say, “What?! You don’t like chocolate orange?! Who doesn’t like chocolate orange?!” (people actually do say this), I can hold my head high and say, ” No. I don’t like it and I don’t like chocolate mint either.” Plus, there are plenty more chocolate options available to me these days!
Stuff you’ll use forever!
Easy Apricot chicken
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless and skinless chicken thighs chicken breasts can be substituted
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 cup apricot jam * I prefer to use reduced sugar apricot jam - homemade or store-bought
- 2 tbsp sweet red chili sauce
Garnish:
- additional apricot jam optional
- additional sauce optional
- crushed red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and spray an oven safe dish (casserole dish or small roaster) with non-stick cooking spray and place chicken on bottom
- In a separate bowl, microwave butter for about 45 seconds, or until melted. Then whisk in apricot jam, dijon mustard and sweet red chili sauce. Pour over chicken
- Bake for 1 hour, turning halfway through baking
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe is part of The Country Cook’s Weekend Potluck!
I’m digging the apricot and chili combo here! I think my whole family would devour this! Plus it’s easy to make so how can i not give this a try! Have you done this with a whole chicken? For example glazed with the apricot dijon chili mix?
Hi Markus – Thank you! No, I have never done it with a whole chicken, but it would definitely be worth a try. If you do try, I’d love to hear how it turns out 🙂
Super simple! Super delicious. And only 5 ingredients! What more could you want??
thanks, Elaine!
I love using apricot jam/jelly in my chicken stir fry sauce, so why have I never thought to use it in other applications? I have all the ingredients for this in my house right now, so I think we might have to give it a try soon! My hubby is also a huge fan of sweet chili sauce, so I know this will be a winner!
Thanks, Nicole :)And I never thought of using it in my chicken stir fry sauce – I will be giving that a try too! I hope you enjoy it.