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I make no joke when I say THREE ingredients.
This chicken, this magic chicken, is everything. It’s the perfect, go-to meal for a busy weeknight, or maybe even better for a night when friends are coming over, but as of yet, nothing is planned for dinner. Yep, this would be your meal!
Simple as that.
In full disclosure, I did not include the cauliflower rice in the 3 ingredients with the chicken. You can make the rice if you please… and you really should because it’s delicious, AND it completes the meal in a healthy way, but the chicken is what this post is all about.
The recipe comes from my grandma who got the recipe from her sweet neighbor (hi Mrs. Gonzalez). My grandma is the queen of making simple yet delicious meals that everyone loves. I first had this chicken around this time last year when my family traveled to Florida for Spring Break and Easter. Nonnie served it the first night we arrived, and well, between my dad, my mom, Kai, Asher, my Nonnie and Grandpa, and me, the entire meal was devoured. Even my picky-eating, no chicken thighs please, mother loved this recipe. It’s all about the sauce, it’s a combo I would have never thought up, but man it is so good.
So you ready? The magic three ingredients? Fair warning they are kind of weird, but like I said, SO GOOD.
….skin on chicken thighs (you can use chicken breasts as well)
….apricot preserves (try really hard to find a high quality brand without any corn syrup or other weird ingredients)
…Russian dressing (I made a healthier homemade version, but store-bought is what my grandma uses!)
I know, kind of odd…totally DELISH though.
When Nonnie served this, she had steamed white rice, corn on the cob and bread. I am going the slightly healthier route with my cauliflower rice, but um guys, I promise I will SO not be offended if you just make a pot of rice and call it a day. Nothing beats real deal steamed rice.
However, if you’re willing to branch out a bit, I highly recommend the Cauliflower Rice. I made mine with some coconut milk and then tossed in roasted cashews… healthy and yummy!
Whatever you do, just give this 3 Ingredient Apricot Chicken a try. Honestly, it’s SOOOO good. I can’t figure out if it’s more of an Asian flavor or an Indian flavor or maybe even a Russian flavor, but I really don’t care. All I care is that it’s completely amazing and the EASIEST thing ever to make. Like add your three ingredients to a Pyrex pan and bake.
DONE AND DONE.
Oh, and really quick, thank you so much for you kind words on yesterday’s post. I am thrilled you guys are so excited about the Better Homes and Gardens Blogger Awards, THANK YOU!
Now, let’s all celebrate with a little feast and an easy + pretty, healthy Wednesday dinner.
Sweet and Sticky 3 Ingredient Apricot Chicken with Cauliflower Rice.
Ingredients
- 6-8 skin on chicken thighs or 4 breasts
- 1 (13 ounce) jar high quality apricot preserves*
- 2 cups store bought or homemade Russian Dressing, see my healthy recipe below
Cashew Cauliflower Rice
- 2 tablespoons coconut or olive oil
- 1 large or 2 small heads cauliflower, finely grated*
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- salt + pepper
- 1/3 cup canned coconut milk
- 1/2 cup roasted cashews, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Lightly grease a 9x13 inch pyrex pan. Add the chicken. In a medium bowl, mix together the apricot preserves and Russian Dressing. Pour over the chicken.
- Bake for 30-40, minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. The time will depend on the size of your chicken pieces. If the tops of the chicken are getting too browned, cover the pan with foil halfway through cooking. Serve the chicken along side the cauliflower rice (recipe below). Spoon the sauce left in the pan, over the chicken. EAT.
Cauliflower Rice
- Heat a large, high sided skillet over medium heat and add the oil. Add the cauliflower and season with cumin, salt and pepper. Cook for 2 more minutes. Stir in the coconut milk. Cook until the cauliflower is tender, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat, then add the cashews and cilantro.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Healthy Red Russian Dressing.
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup plain full-fat or 2% greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup organic ketchup
- 1/4 cup pickle brine/juice, the juice from the pickle jar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley + dill
- salt + pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl or glass jar and whisk to combine. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Keep stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Yes lets… and then maybe even help ourselves to another plate…or two. 🙂
P.S. Don’t forget, you can vote once a day through March 7th for your favorite food blogger!! Just click on the badge above to link you to the Better Homes & Gardens site to vote! THANK YOU for all your continuous support! 
This chicken sounds soo amazing. I’ve never had Russia dressing before so I’ll have to try it. And cauliflower rice would be perfect to pair with this.
Thank you, Andrea! Hope you are having a great week!
This looks so good! I love recipes that come from grandmas. Congrats on the nomination as well!
Thank you, Aimee!
Thank you for the nice recipe. I had to read it fully to appreciate it.
Thanks Liz!!
This. Looks. AWESOME! I just had to vote for you because you create amazing recipes and I love your blog and personality so much! Congratulations and best of luck! <3<3
Cassie!! Thank you SO much! it means so much that you took the time to vote, it is greatly appreciated!! 🙂
Congrats on the nomination! You deserve it, my dear. Your photography inspires me every day!
THANK YOU!! It means so much, Sarah!!
Voted again!! Thanks for having the link at the end. It reminded me.
Wow, THANK YOU! I am so grateful for your votes and your kind comments! 🙂 Hope you are having a great week!
Sounds great! Is your recipe for bone in or out thighs?
Thanks Donna! I used bone-in. 🙂
I’ve made this before – really looking forward to trying your russian dressing recipe instead of the store bought variety!
Thanks Kathy! Hope you love it!
I LOVE apricot chicken! And I love you’re healthy Russian dressing!
Thanks Rebecca!
We make this except we add onion soup mix to the dressing and apricot jam and call it All Gone Chicken. I’m going to try your version without it!!
YUM! I bet your version is amazing! Thanks Nancy!
Three ingredients, two are expensive; although, I would try this after a few people have prepared the recipe and I hear the feedback 🙂
Thanks!
Whoa I can’t believe this has only three ingredients! Sometimes those odd combinations are just what works best! My mom always made the best pork chops with just ketchup and sweet soy sauce. Love this idea too, will have to try!
Thank you so much!
oooooh looks sooo wonderful, this I would gobble down in two seconds!!
http://bloglairdutemps.blogspot.pt
Thank you! 🙂
I couldn’t agree more, the rice is a must! This meal and these photos is just making me drool! 🙂 I could definitely have this meal at least once a week! You’re killing it girl!
Awe! Thank you so much, Taylor! I cannot tell you how much your kind comments mean! 🙂
This sounds fantastic! But why *Russian* dressing? I swear to God we have nothing even remotely similar in Russia 😀
Probably because of the “rassol” 😀
Hmm, no idea really! Thanks!