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Homemade Easy Apricot Chicken Recipe photo

Easy Apricot Chicken Recipe

Crispy breaded chicken tossed in a sweet-tangy apricot sauce for a quick and flavorful weeknight meal.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 lb chicken breasts cut into 1" pieces
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tsp salt plus garlic powder and onion powder (1 tsp each total)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder see salt note
  • 1 tsp onion powder see salt note
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger plus paprika and black pepper (1/2 tsp each total)
  • 1/2 tsp paprika see ginger note
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper see ginger note
  • 3 tablespoons olive, canola, or vegetable oil plus more as needed for frying
  • 2/3 cup apricot preserves or jam
  • 3 tablespoons Asian sweet chili sauce
  • 1-2 tablespoons hot sauce such as Frank’s Original, adjust to taste
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch for slurry

Equipment

  • large nonstick skillet
  • 3 freezer or resealable bags
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Paper Towels
  • Slotted Spoon

Method
 

  1. In one large resealable bag, combine the chicken pieces and eggs; toss to coat evenly.
  2. In a second large resealable bag, mix the 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1/2 tsp paprika, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  3. Remove the chicken from the egg bag, dab off excess egg with paper towels, then add the chicken to the flour mixture. Seal and shake the bag, pressing the coating onto the chicken so pieces are well coated.
  4. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Working in two batches, shake off excess breading and place chicken in a single layer. Cook about 4–6 minutes per batch, flipping once, until cooked through and golden. Transfer cooked chicken to a paper towel–lined plate and add more oil if needed for the second batch. Wipe out the skillet when done.
  5. Whisk 1 teaspoon cornstarch with the 2 tablespoons soy sauce until smooth. Add this slurry to the wiped skillet along with the apricot preserves, Asian sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, and balsamic vinegar.
  6. Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat and stir until it thickens, about 2 minutes.
  7. Add the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the sauce. Serve immediately and garnish with green onions if desired.

Notes

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • To freeze, flash-freeze cooked chicken on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag; freeze sauce separately.
  • Freeze chicken and sauce for up to 3 months.
  • Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Reheat gently in the microwave at 20 second intervals to avoid toughness.
  • Leftovers reheat best in a skillet with a drizzle of oil.