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Apricot Balsamic Chicken

March 1, 2016 by Joy the Baker 31 Comments

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Apricot Balsamic Chicken Dinner

My maj* Tracy and I have a diet plan together.  It’s simple.  We text each other pictures of everything we eat in a day.  It’s called The Friend Diet and it keeps us accountable for all of the things we mindlessly eat.  Tracy has a thing for dried apple rings and I basically only eat tortillas stuffed with various eggs, beans, and greens.  It’s not so much a diet because we don’t actually restrict ourselves (as evidence by the picture of a giant slice of Drake on Cake cake I just texted to Tracy)… but it is our way of being accountable for… if nothing else, the amount of apple rings and tortillas we eat.

On one of the rare days that I was not eating a tortilla, I made this Apricot and Balsamic Glazed Chicken served with fluffy couscous and peppery arugula.  It’s a perfect recipe for those Tuesday nights when you’re like…. I need to be an adult, and make dinner like an adult, and eat it sitting on a chair like an adult. This is that dinner.

Other chicken dinners include:  Slight Fear of Commitment Roast Chicken (don’t worry, everything is great) and The Best Week Night Chicken Dinner and Chicken Spinach Meatball Soup with Broth and Rice.  I suppose what I’m trying to say is… I have no reason to eat as many tortillas as I do.

Here’s dinner.  Let’s do it.

*maj:  short for major.  As in, ‘Tracy is the major person in my life’.  Best friend.  Like the movie Beaches except (spoiler alert) we both live (hopefully, GEEZ).

Apricot Balsamic Chicken Dinner

This recipe is rather smash and dash.  That’s how I refer to a quick and easy weeknight meal.  I’m a big fan of boneless, skinless chicken thighs because they’re cheap, flavorful, and cook through quickly.  Some people haaaate chicken thighs and if you’re one of them…. it’s cool.  Go for the breast.  No shame in the game.

Season generously with salt and pepper.  Both sides.  Pan sear in a hot pan with olive oil.  There’s no stirring while pan searing.  It’s the quality time in the pan that gives chicken it’s golden brown crust.

Apricot Balsamic Chicken Dinner

What’s smash and dash about this chicken is the flavor.  We’re using a few bold ingredients to add a major amount of flavor in a flash.  Apricot jam (the good kind) and balsamic vinegar.  Sweet and sour, big and bold.

Jam, balsamic, and chicken stock are whisked together, poured over the sizzling chicken and simmered into a thin gravy.

Apricot Balsamic Chicken Dinner

With fresh greens, buttered couscous, and extra gravy… it’s dinner!  Add sparkling white wine because you’ve come this far.  Take a picture for The Friend Diet and tomorrow?  Tortillas!

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Apricot Balsamic Chicken Dinner

★★★★★ 5 from 2 reviews
  • Author: Joy the Baker
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 15
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
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Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/3 cup apricot jam
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock
  • cooked couscous
  • fresh arugula

Instructions

  1. In a large saute pan, heat the extra-virgin olive oil over medium-high heat.
  2. Season both sides of the chicken liberally with salt and freshly cracked black pepper. When the oil is hot, add the chicken and brown undisturbed for 5 minutes. Flip and sprinkle with fresh thyme. Cook until the chicken is tender and cooked through, about 5 minutes more.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the jam, vinegar and stock and pour over the chicken. Cook uncovered for 4 to 5 minutes or until the sauce has thickened and becomes a thin glaze.
  4. Serve with couscous and fresh arugula.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2

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Filed Under: Dinner, Recipes, Savory

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jenna R

    June 17, 2022 at 4:13 pm

    Making this recipe for the millionth time because my husband and I just love the taste and ease of this, especially for meal prep. I just thought that this older recipe needed a comment / reminder about how much it is loved!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  2. Laura T.

    December 9, 2020 at 12:14 pm

    Made this for dinner last night and it was a smashing success! Served it with couscous and balsamic bacon roasted Brussels sprouts. SO good! Thank you for the fabulous recipe!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  3. Rose

    August 19, 2018 at 4:53 pm

    I’m 59 and still need to be reminded to eat like an adult…..MORE recipes like this PLEASE! Yup, Jam+ protein= SO YUM! Know that you are really appreciated on Islands in western Canada :)

    Reply
  4. Morgan Brickey

    July 25, 2017 at 10:05 am

    I made this a few weeks ago and it was DELICIOUS! I used Trader Joe’s Peach Bellini Jam and it was just such a treat. I made it with barley this time, but will definitely do coucous next time. I also used bone-in thighs (what I had in the freezer) so they definitely took longer, but it turned out wonderfully. Thanks for such a great recipe!

    Reply
  5. Lina

    April 16, 2016 at 11:34 am

    I just made this and it is SO delicious!! Thank you Joy for bringing this amazing dish (and so many others) into my life! It was one of the best ways I have eaten chicken so far!

    Reply
  6. Margaret Q.

    March 19, 2016 at 3:29 pm

    Delicious and budget friendly! Used homemade peach jam instead of apricot (or the original orange mamelade). Love the way the balsamic vinegar accentuates the flavors in the jam!

    Reply
  7. Tracy | Pale Yellow

    March 7, 2016 at 3:25 pm

    I’ve tried the friend diet, it’s fun! This is a great recipe, easy and sticky and tasty!

    Reply
  8. Kendra

    March 7, 2016 at 11:56 am

    This looks so yummy and I sure miss your podcast with your Maj. I used to listen to you gals alllll the time and I am not kidding when I say the two of you got me through a break up and subsequent very lonely time in my life. Also. thank you for Drake on Cake. It is the best thing in the history of ever. <3

    Reply
  9. Rachel

    March 7, 2016 at 10:50 am

    This looks divine, and I can’t wait to make it.

    Also, what happened to the podcast!

    Reply
  10. Kristin

    March 6, 2016 at 8:14 pm

    Joy! I made this for dinner tonight and it turned out so delicious! I paired it with broccoli and rice, but holy moly that glaze ????????????????

    Reply
  11. Brasserie Louis

    March 4, 2016 at 6:50 am

    Delicious recipe !! This chicken recipe seems so tasty and I have noted this recipe for today’s dinner. Thanks Joy for sharing this post :)

    Reply
  12. ujjainilahiry1983

    March 3, 2016 at 10:13 am

    Looks beautiful!
    https://www.myhappynook.com

    Reply
  13. Jenna @ A Savory Feast

    March 2, 2016 at 3:33 pm

    Oooh! That sauce looks scrumptious. I would try this with boneless chicken instead.

    Reply
  14. Ashlyn @ The Pedantic Foodie

    March 2, 2016 at 11:07 am

    This looks so yummy and so simple! Can’t wait to try!

    Reply
  15. Erica

    March 2, 2016 at 9:44 am

    Delicious dinner idea! I made this last night for my family and it was a hit, thanks Joy : )

    Reply
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