Baked Apricot Chicken and Rice Recipe 🍗🍚

Overview:

Baked Apricot Chicken and Rice is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed hot or cold, making it perfect for any time of year. With a sweet and savory flavor profile, this recipe combines tender chicken breasts with fragrant rice, all baked to perfection in a delightful apricot sauce. Whether served fresh out of the oven or chilled on a warm summer day, this dish is sure to please both your taste buds and your appetite for convenience. It’s a wholesome, one-dish meal that’s ideal for busy weeknights or leisurely family dinners.

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories per serving: 713.2
Recipe Category: One Dish Meal
Keywords: Poultry, Fruit, Meat, Healthy, Weeknight, Oven, Less than 4 Hours

Ingredients:

8 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1 cup rice
1 cup apricot preserves
1 packet dry onion soup mix
1 cup French salad dressing

Instructions:

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) to ensure it’s adequately heated before baking.
Prepare Baking Dish: Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray, ensuring an even coating to prevent sticking.
Arrange Chicken: Place the chicken breast halves evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish, arranging them in a single layer for even cooking.
Prepare Apricot Sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine the apricot preserves, dry onion soup mix, and French salad dressing. Stir until the ingredients are well incorporated, forming a flavorful sauce.
Coat Chicken: Pour the apricot sauce mixture over the chicken breasts, ensuring they are evenly coated for maximum flavor infusion during baking.
Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 1 hour, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Check for Doneness: To ensure the chicken is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F (74°C).
Prepare Rice: While the chicken is baking, prepare the rice according to package instructions, ensuring it’s ready to serve alongside the chicken.
Serve: Once the chicken is cooked through, remove the baking dish from the oven. Serve each chicken breast atop a bed of rice, spooning a generous amount of sauce over the top for added flavor.
Garnish (Optional): For an extra touch of freshness and visual appeal, consider garnishing the dish with fresh fruit, such as sliced apricots or berries, especially if serving cold in the summer months.
Enjoy: Whether enjoyed piping hot straight from the oven or chilled on a warm day, savor each bite of this delightful Baked Apricot Chicken and Rice dish.

Nutritional Information:

Calories: 713.2 per serving
Fat Content: 9.7g
Saturated Fat Content: 1.7g
Cholesterol Content: 68.6mg
Sodium Content: 649.1mg
Carbohydrate Content: 120.5g
Fiber Content: 2.4g
Sugar Content: 25.2g
Protein Content: 34.8g

Tips and Variations:

Make-Ahead: This dish can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until ready to bake, making it a convenient option for meal prep or entertaining.
Substitute: Feel free to experiment with different fruit preserves or dressings to customize the flavor of the sauce to your liking. Peach or mango preserves can be delicious alternatives to apricot.
Vegetarian Option: For a vegetarian twist, substitute the chicken with tofu or your favorite plant-based protein, adjusting the baking time as needed.
Side Dish Ideas: Serve this dish with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh garden salad for a well-rounded meal. Roasted sweet potatoes or grilled asparagus also pair beautifully with the flavors of apricot and chicken.

With its simple preparation and delightful flavor combination, Baked Apricot Chicken and Rice is sure to become a staple in your recipe repertoire. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or simply treating yourself to a flavorful meal, this dish offers a deliciously satisfying dining experience that’s both wholesome and convenient. Enjoy! 🍽️👩‍🍳