Baked Apricot Chicken Thighs (Easy Dinner)
Flavorful Baked Apricot Chicken Thighs (Easy Dinner) with dried apricots, apricot preserves, and fresh herbs.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 4 bone-in, skin on chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 shallots
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary
- 1 tbsp fresh sage
- 2 tsp fresh thyme
- 1 cup apricot preserves
- 1 cup chopped dried apricots
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- Salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the chopped pecans on a rimmed baking sheet and toast them in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned.
- Prepare the other ingredients while the pecans toast. Begin by thinly slicing the shallots.
- Chop the herbs.
- Give the dried apricots a rough chop.
- Measure out the low sodium chicken broth.
- Remove the pecans when they are toasted and set aside. Increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Pat the chicken dry and lightly salt and pepper both sides.
- Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken skin side down and cook until browned, about 5 minutes per side.
- Remove the browned chicken to a large plate or platter.
- Add the sliced shallots to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 3-4 minutes. There should be enough oil in the pan from the chicken and olive oil, but you can add a touch more olive oil if the pan appears to be too dry.
- Lower the heat to medium and add the herbs to the shallots. Cook until fragrant, stirring, about one minute.
- Add the apricot preserves and dried apricots and cook, stirring, until the preserves begin to melt, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in the chicken broth.
- Return the chicken to the pan and toss with the sauce.
- If you are using an oven-safe skillet, transfer it to the oven. If you are using a baking pan, add the contents of the skillet to the pan and place it in the oven.
- Cook until an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken reads 165 degrees, 30-40 minutes.
- Sprinkle with the toasted pecans. I also recommend serving Baked Apricot Chicken Thighs (Easy Dinner) over cooked orzo pasta or rice. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and the side dish.