This easy apricot chicken recipe is sweet, savoury and packed with flavour. Made with simple ingredients like French onion soup mix, apricot nectar and bacon, it’s the perfect family dinner served with rice and veggies.
There’s something about apricot chicken that just feels like home.
It’s one of those old-school dinners that people either absolutely love… or have very strong opinions about 😅
But if you’re on team love it, this version is going to be right up your alley.
It’s sweet, savoury, ridiculously easy to make, and has that rich, sticky sauce that soaks perfectly into a bowl of fluffy rice. I’ve added bacon (because bacon makes everything better), and the result is a comforting, budget-friendly dinner that feeds a crowd.
This is the kind of recipe you make once… and then it quietly becomes part of your regular rotation.
Why you’ll love this apricot chicken recipe
- Super easy to make – minimal prep, no fancy steps
- Budget-friendly – made with simple pantry ingredients
- Big on flavour – sweet, savoury, and perfectly balanced
- Family-approved – even picky eaters tend to love this one
- Makes lots of sauce – perfect for spooning over rice (the best part!)
- Great for leftovers – tastes even better the next day
- Customisable – use drumsticks, thighs or whatever chicken you have
How to cook this easy recipe
- Cook the onion and bacon
In a large pan or pot, melt the butter over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and bacon, and cook until softened and lightly golden.
- Brown the chicken
Add the chicken drumsticks to the pan and cook for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until lightly browned on the outside.
- Make the sauce
In a jug, mix together the apricot nectar and French onion soup mix.
Pour this over the chicken, then add the chicken stock.
(Or do what I do and just throw it all in separately… it works just fine 😅)
- Simmer until cooked
Bring everything to the boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for about 30 minutes.
Stir occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly. - Serve
Serve the apricot chicken over fluffy white rice with steamed broccoli on the side.
Don’t forget to spoon plenty of that sauce over the top.
Apricot chicken & bacon recipe
Ingredients
- 1 large brown onion, chopped
- 2 rashers bacon, chopped
- 1 tbsp butter
- 6–8 chicken drumsticks (or thighs)
- 1 packet French onion soup mix
- 1 can (420g) apricot nectar
- 1 cup chicken stock
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- White rice, to serve
- Steamed broccoli, to serve
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add onion and bacon, cook until softened and lightly golden.
- Add chicken and cook for 5 minutes, turning to brown slightly.
- Mix apricot nectar with French onion soup mix and pour over the chicken. Add chicken stock.
- Bring to the boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through.
- Season with salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve over rice with steamed broccoli and plenty of sauce.
Want more deliciously easy recipes? Browse through hundreds of my tried and tested recipes, or take a look at my free recipe eBook filled with budget-friendly dinner ideas. You can also keep up-to-date by following along on Instagram or Facebook.
