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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.
This worked out really well for us last night. My son even asked for thirds, which pretty much never happens. You are the queen of sauces!
Hey Carl,
Happy Wednesday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a go!! ☘️Tieghan
I have made this several times. Making it again tonight! So good and easy!
Hey Amy,
Happy Wednesday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a go!! ☘️Tieghan
Made this for my husband and I tonight… wow! It’s truly perfect. Quick, easy, delicious! 10/10!
Hey Whitney,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback! Love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
Made this tonight, it’s so good! Made it with both broccoli and asparagus and threw in some baby carrots because I had them. It was so delicious with the coconut rice and basil. Will def make again ?
Hey Naomi,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback! Love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
Tieghan, this sounds yummy! Should the chicken breast be skinless as well as boneless?
Thanks very much!
Hi Margaret,
Yes, for this recipe, I would use boneless, skinless. Please let me know if you give it a try, I hope you love the recipe!! xTieghan
Hi Tiegen! I love all the positive comments and will definitely try this as presented but I was wondering how I might adjust to make it as orange chicken?
Use Orange Marmalade instead of Apricot.
Hi Debra,
Here is my recipe for orange chicken:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/orange-sesame-chicken/
Please let me know if you have any other questions!! xTieghan
Thank you! I will try both!
This was absolutely DELICIOUS. Adding this into my favorite recipes that I keep on rotation! My husband could not stop eating it- good thing I doubled the recipe!! The basil was surprisingly so good!
Hi Megan,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for trying it out! Have the best weekend❄️ xTieghan
My dinner plans fell through tonight and i’m thinking of making this. I don’t have apricot preserves but do have peach. Thoughts?
Hey Jenn,
Sure, peach would be great! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Delicious recipe! Totally love it! Is the calorie count with or without the coconut sticky rice?
Hey Charlotte,
Fantastic!! Love hearing that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it:) It is with the rice. Have the best day! xxT
This is such a perfect weeknight dinner! I absolutely loved it and can’t wait to make it again!
Hey Rebecca,
Fantastic!! Love hearing that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it:) Have the best day! xxT
Made this twice in the past week—so good! Used gluten free flour, and turned out fantastic. I made the coconut rice as well, and served it with green beans. The fresh basil is what takes it to the next level—thanks for sharing!
Hi Jess,
Fantastic! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have a great weekend:) xxT
I made this with broccoli tonight for dinner. It was delicious! The prep actually took me about 30 min. not 10. I don’t know how you cut everything up & dredge the chicken & get it all on the pan in 10 min. Next time I will have as much pre prepped as possible. The coconut rice was PERFECT!! Thank you!
Hi Nena,
Awesome!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan
This was delicious! 10/10 and I’m so excited for the leftovers!
Hey Jeannine,
Awesome!! I am so glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! Have the best weekend! xTieghan
This has become one of our absolute favourite dinners. Make it once a week and it never fails to please! It’s delicious and everyone loves it. Thank you.
Hey Louise! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for trying it out! xTieghan
Loved it, will make again.
Thanks so much! xTieghan