Simple Baked Apricot Chicken Recipe Perfect for Shabbat (2024)

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By

Giora Shimoni

Giora Shimoni

A kosher food enthusiast and home cook with hundreds of published recipes, Giora Shimoni has worked in online publishing for over 20 years.

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Updated on 01/25/22

Tested by

Diana Rattray

Simple Baked Apricot Chicken Recipe Perfect for Shabbat (1)

Tested byDiana Rattray

Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.

Learn about The Spruce Eats'Editorial Process

Simple Baked Apricot Chicken Recipe Perfect for Shabbat (2)

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 90 mins

Marinate Time: 3 hrs

Total: 4 hrs 45 mins

Servings: 4to 6 servings

Yield: 8 pieces

19 ratings

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This kosher apricot chicken recipe is so simple and so good that it can become your family's go-to Shabbat lunch recipe quick.

It's a saucy dish is moist enough to serve the day after it's baked—perfect for Shabbat—and so easy to prepare. It also makes a good dinner for busy weeknights.

Just mix the marinade in the morning and let the chicken marinate in the fridge all day. When you get home from work, pop the dish in the oven, and prep your favorite sides or help with homework, do laundry, or any number of things while you wait for the chicken to cook.

"This simple kosher apricot chicken recipe was super easy to prepare and the chicken turned out juicy and full of flavor. I strained the juices through a gravy separator to remove the fat. The chicken was delicious with rice; noodles would work well, too." — Diana Rattray

Simple Baked Apricot Chicken Recipe Perfect for Shabbat (3)

A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • Oil, for the pan

  • 1 whole chicken, about 3 1/2 pounds, cut into eight pieces

  • 1 tablespoon paprika, or as needed to cover chicken

  • 1/2 cup apricot jam

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Simple Baked Apricot Chicken Recipe Perfect for Shabbat (4)

  2. Oil a13 x 9 x 2-inch or similarly sized baking dish. Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in the dish, and sprinkle generously with the paprika.

    Simple Baked Apricot Chicken Recipe Perfect for Shabbat (5)

  3. In a small bowl, mix the apricot jam, mayonnaise, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken.

    Simple Baked Apricot Chicken Recipe Perfect for Shabbat (6)

  4. Cover the baking dish with foil, and refrigerate. Let marinate for a few hours or up to overnight.

    Simple Baked Apricot Chicken Recipe Perfect for Shabbat (7)

  5. Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to350 F/180 C. Place the covered baking dish in the oven and bake the chicken for 45 minutes. Uncover the dish and bake for another 30 to 45 minutes, or until the chicken is lightly brown, cooked through, and registers 165 F on a thermometer when inserted in the thickest part of the chicken.

    Simple Baked Apricot Chicken Recipe Perfect for Shabbat (8)

  6. Uncover the dish and bake for another 30 to 45 minutes, or until the chicken is lightly brown, cooked through, and registers 165 F on a thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the chicken.

    Simple Baked Apricot Chicken Recipe Perfect for Shabbat (9)

  7. Serve it immediately.

    Simple Baked Apricot Chicken Recipe Perfect for Shabbat (10)

Tip

  • This recipe calls for bone-in, skin-on chicken, but you can take the skin off if you'd like. Use a meat thermometer to check that your chicken is fully cooked—the internal temperature should be 165 F.
  • While the recipe calls for a budget-friendly cut-up whole chicken, you may choose to use about 3 1/2 pounds of chicken breasts. thighs, leg quarters, or a combination.

How to Serve Kosher Apricot Chicken

  • For a weeknight meal, roast some baby potatoes while the chicken cooks, and make these sautéed green beans with red peppers and peanuts.
  • If you want to offer a wider selection of sides for a Shabbat meal or party, try thisrainbow slaw, some deliciousroasted broccoli with ginger, andIsraeli couscous with cherries and pine nuts.
  • For dessert, offer a crowd-pleaser like theultimate pareve chocolate cake.

How to Store

  • Refrigerate leftover apricot chicken within 2 hours and eat it within 3 to 4 days.
  • To freeze, put the chicken in an airtight container. Label the container with the name and date and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw the chicken in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
  • To reheat the refrigerated or frozen thawed chicken and sauce, place it in a baking dish and cover with foil. Reheat in a preheated 350 F oven for 20 to 30 minutes, or until warmed through.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
505Calories
34g Fat
18g Carbs
31g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4to 6
Amount per serving
Calories505
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 34g44%
Saturated Fat 7g34%
Cholesterol 109mg36%
Sodium 396mg17%
Total Carbohydrate 18g7%
Dietary Fiber 1g2%
Total Sugars 12g
Protein 31g
Vitamin C 2mg12%
Calcium 27mg2%
Iron 2mg11%
Potassium 310mg7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags:

  • chicken main
  • apricot chicken
  • dinner
  • kosher

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Simple Baked Apricot Chicken Recipe Perfect for Shabbat (2024)

FAQs

What is apricot sauce made of? ›

How to Make It. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, bring sugar, 1/2 cup water, and the apricots to a simmer. Cover and cook until apricots are completely tender, about 4 minutes. Carefully transfer apricot mixture and lemon juice to a food processor and pulse until sauce is blended but still slightly chunky.

What is the secret to cooking chicken? ›

Chicken breasts must be at room temperature before going in the pan as cold chicken can cook unevenly and tends to be tough. Allow the chicken breast to sit out for 20 minutes. That should do the trick.

What goes well with apricots? ›

On the other hand, berries, particularly strawberries and raspberries, bring out apricot's natural sweetness, creating a flavor profile that's sweet and slightly wild. For a touch of exotic flair, pair apricot with tropical fruits like mango or passionfruit.

How do you prepare apricots? ›

To remove the skins dip the apricots in boiling water for 30-60 seconds until skins loosen. Then immerse the apricots in cold water and remove the skins. Cut the apricots in half and remove and discard the pits. To prevent darkening, place peeled fruit in an ascorbic acid solution (see directions above).

What is apricot glaze made of? ›

Apricot glaze is a thin sauce made from apricot jam, apricot preserves, or very ripe apricots. To make apricot glaze, cooks combine apricot jam or preserves, water, liqueur, and sugar and cook the mixture on the stovetop over medium heat until it has a loose, pourable consistency.

Are canned apricots as good as fresh? ›

The routine addition of citric and ascorbic acid to fruit prior to freezing resulted in significantly higher antioxidants, vitamin C, and phenols. Consumers eating canned or frozen apricots can feel confident of similar or superior nutritional content as compared to fresh apricots.

What makes chicken taste the best? ›

Here are the best ways to make chicken breast taste good, every time!
  1. Make sure your Chicken is Properly Defrosted Prior to Cooking. ...
  2. Buy a Meat Thermometer. ...
  3. Marinate, Marinate, Marinate! ...
  4. Buy High Quality, Pasture Raised Chicken.

How do you make chicken taste more flavorful? ›

Italian seasoning, a mix of rosemary, oregano, thyme, basil, and dried parsley, pairs well with chicken. Marinades: Tenderize the meat with a marinade, which will also infuse the chicken with flavor before you cook it.

Why do you cover chicken when baking? ›

When chicken is covered while baking, it traps steam and moisture within the dish, resulting in juicier results. The covering helps prevent excessive evaporation and keeps the chicken moist throughout the cooking process. Preventing dryness. Chicken tends to dry out more quickly when exposed to direct heat.

What seasonings go well with apricot? ›

Apricots work well in many savory dishes, particularly next to lamb and poultry, as well as in desserts and confections. Complementary spices include curry, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon, and star anise. For a real treat, try apricots in any recipe combined with pistachios or almonds.

What season is best for apricots? ›

Apricot season typically spans from late spring to early summer, depending on the region. This period is when the fruits reach their peak ripeness, offering the best flavor and texture.

What are the best flavor apricots? ›

Blenheim is considered to be the most flavorful, best tasting apricot in production. The fruit is medium to large, yellow with orange cheek and firm, juicy, pale orange flesh and delicious flavor.

How do you enhance apricot flavor? ›

Add a bit more sugar, vanilla, or thyme to enhance the flavor of the apricots. Lemon Juice and Zest: I have meyer lemons but any lemon will work.

Should you peel apricots before baking? ›

When cooked, however, apricots turn from shy, somewhat bland orbs into luscious bits of sweet-tart, jammy goodness. They soften without getting too watery. They give up their pits with barely any effort, and you don't even need to peel them. Add a little sugar, and you have a surprising hero of summer bakes.

Why do you soak apricots? ›

Dried apricots are rich in iron, potassium, vitamins A and E, and fiber, but drying may cause nutrient loss. Soaking them in water softens and revives their flavor while reducing sulfur dioxide levels. Use filtered water, avoid oversoaking, and store in the fridge for freshness.

What are the main ingredients in apricots? ›

Fresh apricots contain a variety of vitamins and minerals, including:
  • Vitamin A.
  • Vitamin C.
  • Pantothenic Acid (B5)
  • Vitamin E.
  • Beta-carotene.
  • Potassium.
  • Lutein.
  • Zeaxanthin.

Is sweet and sour sauce apricot sauce? ›

So you can imagine how we responded to discovering that perhaps one of McDonald's most sought-after sauces: sweet and sour, was made with... (prepare yourselves) apricots. No – really, it's not pineapple, it's not mango. It's apricot.

Is apricot made from peach? ›

Peaches and apricots are two different species, but they're both stone fruits, members of the genus Prunus, which means they have a rock-hard pit in the center, along with a few other similarities. 1 Both have velvety skins, although peaches are more often fuzzy (and fuzzier) than most apricots.

What is the flavor of Chinese apricot? ›

The fruit of this Apricot is juicy with a sweet, mild flavor. Grows well in full sun and planted in well-draining soil. Needs 700 chill hours.

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