One Pan Apricot Chicken like your mom used to make, with just five ingredient and one pan, this dish is all about flavor with almost no effort! Includes recipes for homemade onion soup mix and French dressing!
We’re a huge fan of one pot chicken dishes here, especially with so few ingredients. These chicken thighs are crispy, sticky, sweet and savory all at once. Your whole family will love them.
Baked Apricot Chicken
Apricot Chicken was one of those recipes I grew up LOVING in spite of the “grab a jar of this and that and stir it together” recipe that it is.
I have listed it below as the bare necessities but I will tell you, I used homemade onion soup mix and homemade French dressing, which I have listed for you below in the post too.
Apricot Chicken can be as quick and easy or as homemade a recipe as you’d like.
When it comes to keeping the delicious glaze on top of the Apricot Chicken I actually like to pour on the glaze in two batches. This allows some of it to cook into the chicken and brown. The sticky topping then allows the second half of the glaze a way to adhere.
How to make the easiest one pot chicken recipes:
- Heat a cast iron skillet on high heat.
- Add chicken that has skin and bone to the pan, thighs work best.
- Sear the chicken well on both sides.
- Add additional items to the pan, like vegetables, rice or sauces.
- Roast at 375 degrees or higher.
- Stir ingredients or sauce ingredients once while cooking.
This sticky apricot glaze is actually full of flavor. When I’ve shared the original five ingredient recipe with people I usually get a concerned look, but once they taste it they always ask for the recipe.
One of my favorite hacks for this recipe though (if you want to call an extra ingredient a hack!) is orange! A bit of orange juice and orange zest takes the sauce to the next level.
When my husband sees the dish in the kitchen he always acts helpful and starts slicing an orange into wedges because his favorite way to enjoy it is with fresh orange squeezed over it once served. What would I do without him? haha.
If you’re like me and want to avoid the pre-made options I’ve included the homemade versions I normally use below for you. I actually love the homemade onion soup mix and use it a lot! I grew up eating onion soup mix with sour cream for my old school potato chip dip and I love using it in my Ultimate Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches.
How to make Onion Soup Mix:
Mix together the following to replace one packet of dried Onion Soup Mix
- 1/4 cup dried onion flakes
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium beef bouillon granules
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon parsley flakes
- 1/8 teaspoon celery seed
- 1/8 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
I make this onion soup mix recipe in bulk and use about 1/4 cup of the seasoning in place of one packet. By volume you’d think it should be more than 1/4 cup but the onion flakes make pockets where the seasoning goes, so about 1/4 cup is perfect.
How to make French Dressing:
Whisk together the ingredients in a bowl or combine in a small food processor or blender.
- 1 cup olive oil
- 2/3 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons grated chopped onion, with juices squeezed out
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
Other one pot chicken recipes:
- Spanish Olives Chicken and Rice (One Pan!)
- One Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice
- One Pot Basil Chicken Coconut Curry
Tools Used in the making of this One Pot Apricot Chicken Recipe:
Cast Iron Skillet: This is my most used pan in my kitchen, heavy, keeps heat well and gives the BEST sear ever.
Onion Soup Mix: If you don’t want to use the homemade version above, this is the natural pre-made variety I use.
French Dressing: Love this, all natural option.
One Pot Apricot Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 chicken thighs bone in and skin on
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 1 packet dry onion soup mix
- 1 cup French dressing
- 1 cup apricot preserves
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and set a cast iron skillet to heat on medium high heat.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper and add it to the cast iron skillet, skin side down.
Brown both sides of the chicken for 3-5 minutes.
- In a bowl or large measuring cup add the rest of the ingredients and whisk them together.
Pour half over the chicken, putt the pan in the oven and cook for 25 minutes.
Pour the rest over the chicken and cook an additional 5 minutes.
I’ve been making this delicious chicken recipe for 50- yes- 50 years without a printed recipe! My college roommate made it for me and my husband right after she was married in 1970! Her “ recipe” called for Russian dressing ( Wishbone still makes this! It’s the dark deep orange Russian) I think it is much tastier than using the French- I’ve used Catalina dressing too- Wishbone red Russian is the best! Over the years I’ve often increased the onion soup mix to two envelopes and I agree with another reviewer who suggests reserving sauce to pour over the roasting thighs half way through really helps get that sticky- almost- done – on -the- grill coating. Having made this using all cuts of chicken, thighs really “ stand up” to this sauce! It’s a Crowd Pleaser and a “ go to” for casual dinner with friends! Delicious! I was so tickled to have “ bumped” into this recipe after all these years!
I’m so glad to hear it’s a hit! Thanks for the 5 stars, Joyce.
This was delicious. We topped it off with fresh green onion. yum!
I love this. I’ve made it three times since first discovering the recipe and it’s been a hit both with my kids and with company. My brother in law actually requested the recipe. I made the french dressing and onion mix from scratch so I can’t comment on how it is with store bought ingredients.
Wonderful! Thanks for coming back to let me know how much of a hit this recipe is to you and your family, Jennifer.
I haven’t made this yet, but I’m wondering if you have a suggested way to do this recipe in a slow cooker for busy days so it can be ready when I get home? Thanks in advance!
Yes, I have a slow cooker version of this recipe. Simply type Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken into the search bar in the top right-hand corner of the site and it’ll pop right up for you. Slow cooker are such a lifesaver, aren’t they?
Don’t have an iron skillet big enough to cook this recipe since I have to double it. Will the cook times be the same in a glass or ceramic pan? I want to sear the chicken pieces in iron skillet and then put half in a glass pan and the other half in ceramic pan.
Those will certainly work, and exactly how I would suggest if not using a skillet: Sear first, bake separate. Let me know how you like it!
I look forward to editing this recipe just a tiny bit. I’m going to use boneless/skinless chicken breast. It should be just as yummy.
Oh it’ll be awesome! I hope you enjoy it!
Another way is you can buy apricot nector or apricots in a can and then puree them. It is a lot less sweet than the apricot jam.
Thanks for the suggestion, Trudi!
I remember eating this dish so many years ago and it was delicious – I’ve thought of it so many times. Can’t wait to make it.
I hope you enjoy it!
Sounds amazing! Going camping, (in the RV) making tonight and can’t wait! Thank you for sharing this delightful recipe. I am sure I will be back to try more if your recipes.
Cheers!
Have a fun time!
Hi Sabrina! This recipe sounds delicious. My question is: where does the oven come in? It says to preheat the oven to 375 degrees…
I edited it to be more clear for you. 🙂 Enjoy!
The pic looked so good I just had to make it asap. It was raining sideways so I didn’t want to go to the store, so I made lemon chicken. I substituted lemon curd preserves and used Italian dressing for the French. This recipe can go in so many directions. I just love the flexibility. Next week I will use as written. It was the first time using lemon curd for anything else but cheesecake or on English Muffins. Outstanding.
That sounds amazing too! Love that you were able to customize it to what you have on hand!
I love chicken, thanks for sharing this mouth watering recipe.
Winner, winner chicken dinner.
Thank you!
OMG! This chicken looks so crispy! And sounds so tasty!
Thanks Catalina!
That looks so finger-lickin’ delicious!
I LOVE one pan meals! This looks delish – I’m looking forward to trying it!
Aren’t they the best?!? I hope you enjoy it!
I love that you listed the recipes for the onion soup mix and the dressing. This meal sounds delish!
Thanks Dorothy!
I cannot wait to make this apricot chicken! Looks incredible!
Thanks Anna!