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Sheet Pan 30 Minute Sticky Apricot Chicken and asparagus. It’s sweet, spicy, extra sticky, and so easy to make!
Back when my family would travel to Florida for spring break to soak up the sun and visit my grandparents, my Nonnie had a dish she called her “first night chicken”. It was the dinner she’d serve out-of-town guests on the first night they arrived. One, because it was delicious, and two, because it was beyond easy.
The thing about my Nonnie? She was an awesome cook, but her real secret was that she’d never make anything that was complicated or had too many ingredients. She was a woman of simplicity when it came to cooking and baking.
And you know something? It really worked for her. Every single one of her recipes was delicious. And her meatloaf is all my oldest brother, Creighton, ever talks about.
Her recipes were the “retro” kind that probably used far too many store-bought ingredients and one too many bottled and canned goods. But it was her style of cooking and it worked for her. And we loved the dishes she made.
Anyway, she’d serve this “first night chicken” often. It was always a hit every time she served it. Each and every guest they would welcome into their Florida home…which was a lot of guests…loved this dish! As you can imagine a south Florida home becomes very popular in the dead of winter and early spring. Family sure loved to visit them.
Nonnie would serve her roasted chicken with steamed asparagus and rice. I remember the dish being absolutely delicious. Nonnie shared the recipe with me about 5 years ago, and while I’m not revealing her secret just yet (though I will…very, very soon), this recipe today was inspired by hers. Just like my grandma’s chicken, the one I’m sharing today highlights a jar of apricot jam. The flavors in today’s recipe are not the same. But I just had to shout out to my Nonnie for inspiring this insanely easy and delicious sticky chicken.
Makes me miss her even more!
Here are all the details. My Nonnie always used chicken thighs with skin on, which helped her sauce stick. I used boneless skinless breasts. I didn’t want to bread the chicken, but I still wanted the sticky sauce to really stick.
So I toss the chicken with a beaten egg and dredge it through some flour. It’s a very, very light coating, but it’s just enough to help all that sticky sweet sauce actually stick to the chicken. Once you coat the chicken in flour, grease a baking sheet, and arrange the chicken to one side. Then drizzle with olive oil to help the chicken crisp up a bit.
Throw the pan into the oven and let the chicken get nice and crispy.
About halfway through cooking, pull the pan out, flip that chicken and add the asparagus.
First off, you can use broccoli if you hate asparagus, but since I have an abundance of asparagus this week…and since that’s the vegetable my Nonnie also used, that’s what I went for…and we found it delicious.
I kept the asparagus basic, just olive oil, salt, and pepper. But the real secret? Getting them tender and crisp in the oven. Since the chicken cooks at such a high temperature, the asparagus quickly softens, then crisps, and lightly chars. So very delicious. My favorite way to enjoy asparagus!
The truth? The sauce is truly why you should make this recipe. It’s honestly so addicting. Sweet, tangy, a touch spicy and once cooked down, super sticky. The secret ingredient is of course apricot jam. I know it might sound odd, but please, don’t doubt me here. The jam adds sweetness and gives the sauce that sticky texture we love so much. Soy sauce adds a touch of saltiness, and balsamic vinegar gives it a nice tang.
Once the chicken cooks, toss the sauce with the chicken, return to the oven for a few more minutes, and you’re done. I was shocked at how well the timing of everything ended up working out and how quickly this came together.
Nothing fancy here, just simple cooking, but very delicious.
My side dish suggestion…creamy coconut rice made with a pat of butter and lots of fresh basil. Trust me, this is a must, and adds so much to complete the dish. Then top the chicken with toasted sesame seeds and basil. Again, so simple, but really just so good too. It’s that sauce…it’s pretty hard to beat.
If you’re looking for something fresh and healthy…ish for dinner this week, make this sticky chicken!
Looking for other weeknight dinners? Here are a few to try:
Healthier 25 Minute Kung Pao Chicken
30 Minute Creamy Thai Turmeric Chicken and Noodles
30 Minute Spicy Indian Butter Chicken
Lastly, if you make this Sheet Pan 30 Minute Sticky Apricot Chicken be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Do you think you could make this in a sautee pan? Just four the chicken and sautee in olive oil?
Hi Stefanie,
Sure, that will work well for you! I hope this recipe turns out amazing, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
This was so good! I had to improvise a little and used duck sauce because I didn’t have any apricot preserves. It still turned out great and will definitely be making it again!
Hey Carol,
Happy Friday!! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xT
I just made this recipe out of the new cookbook and it is totally different. Made with the billion dollar dressing not soy sauce or ginger at all. and not sticky at all. I had to look up to see what the difference was. Still good.
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try and sharing your feedback, the recipe in the cookbook and this recipe are not meant to be the same:) xTieghan
This is delicious! The chicken is tender and flavorful, overall the recipe comes together very quickly.
Hi Kaitlyn,
Love to hear this!! Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback! ☀️xTieghan
Delicious blend of flavors! My family enjoyed every bite.
Hey Colleen,
Fantastic!! Thanks so much for trying this recipe, I am thrilled to hear that it was enjoyed! xxT
I made this tonight and it was pretty good. I made it with broccoli and served with plain white rice. I love that it was a sheet pan meal (part of why I made it), but I question if it was the best pan for this meal. I think a casserole dish would have been better for the chicken since it could of baked in the sauce as opposed to it all just spreading out on the sheet pan. The sauce was yummy but didn’t have enough heat for me, so I would add more hot pepper flakes next time. Overall, it was enjoyable but I would make some tweaks if made again.
Hey Gina,
Happy Friday!! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks so much for making it! Thanks for sharing your feedback:) xTieghan
I’ve tried using a glass Pyrex dish before and the sauce didn’t get sticky! It was still delicious but I had to pour the sauce over each serving. Baking sheets with edges/walls have worked best for me. That way it gets sticky and doesn’t slide off the sheet.
Good to know, thanks for the tip Christina!!
Made this last night. Super easy, super yummy. Ran out of Apricot preserves so added some honey. Loved it!
Hey Johanna,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a go and sharing your feedback!! I love to hear that it was a winner:) xTieghan
We made this recipe tonight and it was so good! We went with broccoli because we already had asparagus this week. This is the third recipe we have had from the site and we continue to be impressed!
Hey Kylie,
Happy Friday!! Thanks so much for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xx
Tieghan, I just made this with cod because it’s what we had, and it was so delicious. I feel like I once read that you don’t love fish other than salmon, but if you have a change of heart, I highly recommend this!
Hey Shana,
Wonderful!! Thank you so much for trying this recipe out, I am so glad to hear that it was a winner! xxT
Love this quick, easy, delicious! I used peach mango preserves and did roasted bok choy. Thank you
Hi Barbara,
Thank you so much for trying this recipe, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
This was an awesome recipe! When my husband says “Make it again” you know it is a keeper!
I’d like some advice on how I could make this for a crowd of 20??? Cook chicken in oven and add to sauce in a crockpot???
Hey Kim,
Happy Friday!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for making it! Sure, that would work well for you! xxT
I’ve made this recipe a few times and each time it gets better! I’ve recommended to many family & friends.
Hey Caitlin,
Happy Sunday!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it and sharing your feedback! xx
This turned out delicious! Will definitely make this again!
Hey Jodi,
Awesome!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed. Have a great weekend:) xTieghan
We made this recipe last night and thought it was excellent. We used the broccoli and added some onions to the dish. We also doubled the sauce and poured it all over the veggies and served with mashed cauliflower. Another excellent 30 minute meal and can’t wait to try another of your recipes.
Hey David,
Wonderful!! Love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for making it! ☘️xx
This was delicious!! I forgot basil and sesame seeds but it was still quite yummy!
Hey Sheila,
Wonderful!! Love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for making it! ☘️xx