Apricot Glazed Pressure Cooker Chicken

Welcome to your new favorite weeknight dinner! This recipe for **Instant Pot Apricot Chicken with Apricot Jam** is an absolute game-changer. Requiring only 5 core ingredients, you can effortlessly create a perfect meal that’s both sweet and savory, and incredibly satisfying. Whether you use an Instant Pot or a Ninja Foodi, this pressure cooker apricot chicken delivers tender, succulent results every time. It’s not only incredibly delicious but also remarkably affordable, often costing around $20 to feed a family of five. Get ready to add this to your regular rotation!

If you’re on the hunt for a meal that genuinely pleases everyone, including the pickiest eaters in your household, this pressure cooker apricot chicken is the answer. Imagine tender, juicy chicken pieces bathed in a luscious, sweet, and tangy sauce, served steaming hot over a comforting bed of rice. It’s a delightful experience that has quickly become one of our go-to Instant Pot recipes for its simplicity and incredible flavor profile.

Irresistible Apricot Glazed Chicken: A Family Favorite

There’s something uniquely captivating about this apricot glazed chicken. It’s the kind of dish that sparks joy and prompts requests for seconds, and even for it to be made again next week! The sauce strikes a perfect balance: a delightful sweetness that satisfies cravings without being overwhelming. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients can create profound flavors. Beyond its fantastic taste, this recipe is a budget-friendly option that ensures your family will be well-fed and asking for more.

For those new to the world of pressure cooking, rest assured, this recipe is incredibly straightforward. You can use any electric pressure cooker you own, be it an Instant Pot, a Ninja Foodi, a Mealthy, or even a Crockpot Express. The beauty of this dish lies in its accessibility. Most ingredients can be found easily at your local grocery store, or you can even utilize frozen chicken if you remember to thaw it beforehand. It’s a versatile recipe designed to fit into busy lives.

Key Ingredients for Perfect Apricot Chicken

What makes this apricot chicken truly special is its minimal yet impactful ingredient list. With just five primary components, you achieve a depth of flavor that tastes far more complex. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need:

• **Chicken:** We recommend boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces for quick cooking and easy serving. However, if you prefer dark meat, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are an excellent alternative and will also yield incredibly tender results.
• **Apricot Jam:** This is the star of the show, providing the signature sweet and fruity apricot flavor. Look for a good quality apricot jam or preserves. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even make your own homemade apricot jam for an extra special touch.
• **Catalina or French Salad Dressing:** This might sound unconventional, but the tangy-sweet base of Catalina or French dressing adds an incredible depth and balance to the sauce. It provides a savory counterpoint to the apricot jam, creating a perfectly harmonious flavor profile that kids and adults alike adore.
• **Chicken Broth:** A crucial liquid component, chicken broth (or stock) helps thin out the sauce to the ideal consistency and infuses it with additional savory notes. Using broth instead of water prevents the sauce from becoming too thick and helps avoid the “burn” warning that some pressure cookers might display.
• **Onion Soup Mix:** For a powerful punch of savory, umami flavor, a packet of French onion soup mix is invaluable. It’s the secret ingredient that elevates the sauce from simple to sensational, adding a layer of rich, oniony goodness that complements the sweet apricot beautifully.

Optionally, you can add a sliced or diced fresh onion for more texture and a fresh onion kick. A bit of cornstarch can also be used at the end to achieve an even thicker sauce, though it’s not strictly necessary for a delicious meal.

Creative Substitutions and Variations

While the classic Instant Pot apricot chicken recipe is fantastic as is, feel free to experiment with substitutions to tailor it to your taste or what you have on hand:

• **Fruit Preserves:** If apricot jam isn’t available, orange marmalade is a wonderful alternative. It will shift the flavor profile closer to our popular Instant Pot orange chicken, offering a citrusy sweetness that’s equally delicious. Peach preserves could also work in a pinch, though the fruity notes will differ.
• **Adding Heat:** For those who enjoy a bit of spice, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of Sriracha to the sauce. Start with a small amount and adjust to your preferred level of heat.
• **Balancing Sweetness:** If you find the sauce a little too sweet for your palate, a tablespoon or two of soy sauce can help cut through the sweetness and add a savory, umami depth.

Cooking Apricot Chicken with Frozen Chicken

Forgot to thaw your chicken? No problem! You can still enjoy delicious apricot chicken using frozen chicken in your Instant Pot, though the preparation method will vary slightly. Instead of cutting the chicken into bite-sized pieces beforehand, you’ll need to cook the frozen chicken first:

1. Place the frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts (whole or in large pieces) into your pressure cooker with about 1 cup of chicken broth.
2. Cook on high pressure for 12-15 minutes (depending on thickness), followed by a natural release for 5 minutes, then a quick release.
3. Once cooked, carefully drain any excess liquid (you can reserve some for the sauce).
4. Remove the chicken, shred it using two forks, then return it to the pot.
5. Switch your Instant Pot to the Sauté function and add the apricot jam, Catalina dressing, and onion soup mix. Stir well to coat the shredded chicken.
6. Allow the sauce to bubble and thicken for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, before serving.

This method ensures that even frozen chicken can be transformed into a tender, flavorful meal. The entire process, including preparing a batch of fluffy Ninja Foodi white rice, typically takes around 20-25 minutes from start to finish. While rice is our go-to, this apricot chicken also pairs wonderfully with steamed broccoli, green beans, or even a simple side salad for a complete and balanced meal.

Achieving the Perfect Sauce Consistency

One of the beauties of this Instant Pot apricot chicken is its versatile sauce. While it thickens naturally as it cools, you might prefer an even richer, more substantial sauce. This is where a simple cornstarch slurry comes in handy:

If, at the end of the cooking cycle, you find the sauce to be thinner than desired, simply create a slurry by whisking together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of cold water in a small bowl until smooth. With your pressure cooker still on the Sauté function, slowly pour this slurry into the simmering sauce while stirring continuously. Within 1-2 minutes, you’ll notice the sauce begin to thicken to a beautiful, glossy consistency. Turn off the pot once your desired thickness is achieved, and let it sit for a few minutes; the sauce will continue to thicken as it cools slightly.

This easy Instant Pot chicken recipe is incredibly adaptable. You could even fold in cooked al dente egg noodles directly into the pot once the chicken is done and the sauce is thickened. There’s ample sauce to generously coat everything, creating a delightful one-pot-style meal that’s hearty and flavorful. The printable recipe card below provides detailed instructions, including estimated nutritional information (calculated automatically and based on the ingredients listed).

Once you’ve mastered this recipe, be sure to try our creamy pressure cooker chicken and rice for another consistently great meal!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Apricot Chicken