How to Make It: Step-by-Step
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 40-45 minutes | Servings: 4-6
1. Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a -inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Pat your chicken pieces dry with a paper towel and arrange them in a single layer in the dish.
2. Mix the Magic Sauce
In a medium bowl, combine the apricot preserves and the dry onion soup mix. Stir them together thoroughly until the dry soup mix is completely incorporated into the jam.
3. Coat the Chicken
Spoon the apricot-onion mixture evenly over the top of each chicken piece, using the back of a spoon to spread it so the chicken is entirely blanketed.
4. Bake to Golden Perfection
Place the dish uncovered into the preheated oven. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes. As it cooks, the preserves will liquefy, bubble up with the chicken juices, and slowly reduce into a thick, sticky glaze.
5. Broil and Serve
For an extra-deep color, turn your oven to Broil for the last 2 to 3 minutes of cooking. Watch it closely so the sugars don’t burn! Remove from the oven, let it rest for 5 minutes, and spoon the extra glaze from the bottom of the pan right back over the chicken before serving.
What to Serve with Your Chicken Bake
Because this recipe yields a gorgeous, sweet-and-savory pan sauce, you’ll want to pair it with sides that can catch every drop:
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Fluffy White or Jasmine Rice: The ultimate vessel for soaking up the sticky apricot-onion glaze.
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Roasted Broccoli or Green Beans: The slight bitterness of green veggies cuts through the sweetness of the glaze beautifully.
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Garlic Mashed Potatoes: A classic comfort food pairing that pairs wonderfully with the savory onion notes of the sauce.
