Apricot Baked Chicken Recipe
This Apricot Baked Chicken recipe features tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts baked with a sweet and flavorful apricot preserves glaze infused with fresh thyme. It’s an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion when you want a delicious, juicy chicken with a golden, caramelized topping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55-60 minutes
- Total Time: 65-70 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 1/2 – 3 pounds total)
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
Apricot Glaze
- 1 cup apricot preserves
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat and Arrange Chicken: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Evenly arrange the chicken breasts in a 9×13 inch baking pan and set aside.
- Prepare Apricot Glaze: Place the apricot preserves into a small, microwave-safe bowl and microwave for about 10 seconds to slightly warm and loosen the preserves. Stir in the chopped fresh thyme until well combined.
- Apply Glaze and Bake Covered: Evenly spread the apricot preserves mixture over the tops of the chicken breasts. Cover the pan with foil and bake for 35-40 minutes until the chicken is nearly cooked through.
- Baste and Continue Baking Uncovered: Remove the foil carefully, baste the chicken with the juices and glaze accumulating at the bottom of the pan, then bake uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes. This will allow the glaze to caramelize, the top to turn golden brown, and the glaze to reduce slightly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve the chicken breasts with the remaining glaze spooned over the top for maximum flavor. Enjoy your sweet and savory apricot baked chicken!
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider marinating the chicken in seasoned salt for 30 minutes before baking.
- Fresh thyme can be substituted with dried thyme if fresh is unavailable; use about 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme.
- Make sure to baste the chicken during the uncovered baking phase to keep it moist and enhance caramelization.
- You can use other fruit preserves like peach or orange for a different flavor profile.
- Serve with rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
Keywords: Apricot baked chicken, baked chicken breasts, apricot preserves chicken, easy chicken recipe, thyme chicken glaze
Find it online: https://freshrecipehub.com/apricot-baked-chicken-recipe/
