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Apricot-Mustard Baked Chicken

Image may contain Food Meal Dish and Pork
Photo by Jennifer Causey
  • Total Time

    40 minutes

This chicken takes about 10 minutes to pull together and then about a half hour of mostly hands-off time in the oven. In theory, you could time things so the chicken is ready as soon as the kids go to sleep. But if you can't for the life of you figure out a way to steal the few minutes needed for prep while the kids are awake, then just take care of step 1: Preheat the oven.

Ingredients

6 to 8 skin-on chicken pieces (thighs or drumsticks), rinsed and patted dry
Salt and pepper
3/4 cup apricot jam
1 tablespoon grainy mustard
1/4 cup water
Leaves from 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  1. Step 1

    Preheat the oven to 400°F.

    Step 2

    Place the chicken on a rimmed cookie sheet or baking dish lined with foil or parchment paper, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and bake for 10 minutes.

    Step 3

    While the chicken is baking, whisk together the jam, mustard, water, thyme, and a little salt and pepper in a small saucepan over low heat for about 3 minutes. It should be slightly syrupy.

    Step 4

    Pull the chicken out of the oven and pour the sauce on top. Continue baking for another 15 minutes. For the last 3 minutes, place the chicken under the broiler on the top rack so it gets golden and crispy looking.

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Reviews (12)

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  • Came out well using sugar-free apricot jam as well. I am always looking for low carb and low sugar recipes due to my husband's diabetes. This was very good.

    • Woofmommy

    • Indianapolis, IN

    • 4/24/2022

  • Have made this several times and it's always a hit. Can be served room temp, so good to bring to backyard parties. One trick I found- pouring the sauce on the chicken wastes a lot of it, so I pull the pan out and with a fork, dunk each piece into the apricot/mustard mixture and return it to the pan. It coats the chicken top and bottom.

    • mamazoni

    • New Haven, CT

    • 10/20/2019

  • We loved this. It is fast enough for a weeknight dinner and good enough for weeknight company. I used bone-in skinless breasts (increased the cooking time slightly). Seasoned potato wedges roasted on the oven rack below. Offered a lovely 15 minute window to enjoy a glass of wine with the guests.

    • annerodgers

    • Winnipeg, MB

    • 1/12/2018

  • This has been made repeatedly at my house. Yes it is quick and the sauce can roll off but what stays on is wonderful. All of my adult children are making this as well

    • jg1206

    • Albuquerque

    • 11/22/2016

  • I made this last night for dinner. My husband liked it, I loved it. The recipe was super easy and super quick to make. It's not in my nature to follow recipes exactly, so there were a few small tweaks for what I had on hand and personal preferences. I used dijon mustard, because that's what I had, and instead of water, I added a splash of white whine (maybe a tablespoon) to the glaze before cooking it down. I also seasoned the chicken w/ garlic and onion power and with thyme, instead of adding thyme to the glaze. Next time, I think I'll try adding ginger to the glaze. I think it'll kick things up a notch. And yes, I'll definitely be making this again. Thanks!

    • Anonymous

    • CT

    • 8/10/2016

  • Easy and fast, but not very exciting. The chicken stayed very moist and tender, but most of the glaze flowed off, and the flavor didn't penetrate at all.

    • sitagaki

    • 7/16/2016

  • 好,不是很好。It was fine for a quick, weeknight meal (which does seem to be the point here). If I make it again , it will be with a small change to the glaze. It was too watery so I'll skip that 1/4 cup next time to get a thicker glaze that I can brush on the meat rather than pour over. Served with some couscous and roasted sweet potatoes sprinkled with za'atar.

    • annanacho

    • Chicago, IL

    • 3/30/2016

  • SO good! I doubled the mustard, and cooked maybe 5 min longer. I took the leftover sauce on the cookie sheet and boiled it down into a thicker glaze with a half stick of butter (so obviously delicious). Easy, fast, delicious and all ingredients I had on hand. Making this again for sure.

    • alliedickson

    • Philadelphia, PA

    • 1/14/2016

  • Easy and tasty! I brought a big batch of these to a casual NYE party- better than wings! Agree with previous post on timing- mine took longer than the recipe stated. Just have to keep an eye on them.

    • mamazoni

    • New Haven, CT

    • 1/6/2016

  • Super easy and yummy. I used boneless skinless thighs and they were nice and moist. Kids loved it.

    • christinetasche

    • Long Beach, CA

    • 12/31/2015

  • Easy and delicious. Gauge baking time based on size of chicken pieces.

    • jolar101

    • 9/11/2015

  • I made the apricot-mustard-thyme mixture, let it cool and then marinated the chicken in it overnight and just popped it in the oven. Delicious!

    • Mia

    • Los Angeles, CA

    • 9/3/2023

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