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Tender Apricot Chicken Thighs Recipe

Tender Apricot Chicken Thighs Recipe


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4.8 from 8 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Succulent apricot chicken thighs blend Mediterranean flavors with sweet and savory notes. Herb-infused marinade and caramelized fruit create a delightful meal you’ll savor with each tender bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 chicken thighs
  • 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fl oz) apricot jam
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml / 1 fl oz) soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) honey
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup (40 g / 1.4 oz) finely diced onions
  • 1 tsp (5 ml / 0.17 fl oz) minced garlic
  • 1 tsp (5 ml / 0.17 fl oz) ground ginger
  • 1/8 tsp (0.6 ml / 0.02 fl oz) red pepper flakes (optional)
  • fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Sauce Preparation: Whisk apricot jam, onions, soy sauce, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, garlic, ground ginger, and red pepper flakes in a saucepan over medium heat until glossy and well-integrated.
  2. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C), creating an ideal roasting environment.
  3. Chicken Preparation: Trim excess fat from chicken thighs, arrange in a lightly greased baking dish, and season with salt and black pepper.
  4. Sauce Application: Cascade prepared apricot sauce over chicken, ensuring thorough coating and even distribution.
  5. Initial Roasting: Transfer baking dish to preheated oven and roast uncovered for 20 minutes, allowing flavors to develop and chicken to begin cooking.
  6. Final Roasting: Baste chicken with pan sauce, then continue roasting for an additional 20-25 minutes until chicken reaches perfect golden-brown doneness.
  7. Resting and Serving: Let chicken rest for 5 minutes to redistribute juices, skim excess grease from sauce, and optionally garnish with fresh parsley before serving with reserved sauce.

Notes

  • Sauce Prep Tip: Whisk ingredients thoroughly to ensure smooth, well-blended flavors that penetrate the chicken completely.
  • Temperature Control: Monitor oven heat closely to prevent burning and achieve perfect golden-brown caramelization without drying out chicken.
  • Basting Technique: Spooning sauce over chicken multiple times intensifies flavor and keeps meat incredibly juicy and tender.
  • Sauce Skimming Secret: Remove excess fat from sauce after cooking to create a cleaner, more concentrated flavor profile that elevates the entire dish.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Australian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 25 g
  • Sodium: 400 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 20 g
  • Cholesterol: 100 mg