I’ve been making these sweet and savory baked chicken thighs for years, and they never fail to impress my family and dinner guests. The magic happens when that unique three-ingredient glaze transforms ordinary chicken thighs into something truly special. The combination of apricot preserves, Russian dressing, and dry onion soup mix creates a perfect balance of flavors that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. Want to know my secret for getting that perfectly glazed exterior while keeping the meat incredibly juicy?
Key Takeaways
- Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs bake best at 400°F for 1½-2 hours until caramelized outside and juicy inside.
- Sweet-savory glaze made from apricot preserves, Russian dressing, and onion soup mix creates exceptional flavor.
- Turn chicken thighs every 20 minutes while baking for even coating and optimal flavor absorption.
- Arrange chicken in a single layer in a 9×13-inch baking pan with sauce for proper cooking.
- Pair with rice, couscous, or potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce that forms during baking.
Why You’ll Love this Sweet & Savory Apricot Chicken
Once you’ve tried these baked chicken thighs, you’ll understand why this recipe has become a family favorite in countless households. The magical combination of apricot preserves, Russian dressing, and dry onion soup mix creates a glaze that’s both tantalizingly sweet and remarkably savory.
I love how the chicken develops a beautiful caramelized exterior while remaining juicy inside. The sauce thickens as it bakes, coating each thigh with a glossy, flavor-packed glaze that’s impossible to resist. What’s more, the preparation couldn’t be simpler—just mix the sauce ingredients, pour over the chicken, and let your oven do the work. The periodic turning guarantees even cooking and helps the thighs absorb that incredible flavor. It’s the perfect balance of convenience and gourmet results.
What Ingredients are in Sweet & Savory Apricot Chicken?
This sweet and savory baked chicken thigh recipe brings together the perfect combination of fruity, tangy, and savory flavors. The secret lies in its simple yet effective sauce, which caramelizes beautifully during baking to create a glossy, flavorful coating that transforms ordinary chicken thighs into something special. It’s the kind of dish that makes people think you spent hours in the kitchen, when really, the oven does most of the work.
- 10 to 12 chicken thighs
- 1 (12 oz.) jar apricot or peach preserves
- 1 (8 oz.) bottle Red Russian dressing (Wish-Bone brand recommended)
- 1 package dry onion soup mix
- 9×13-inch baking pan
When shopping for these ingredients, the quality of your preserves matters—look for ones with visible fruit pieces for the best texture and flavor. While the recipe specifically calls for Red Russian dressing from Wish-Bone, in a pinch, you could substitute another tangy, slightly sweet dressing, though the flavor profile might change slightly. The chicken thighs can be bone-in or boneless, skin-on or skinless, depending on your preference, though bone-in, skin-on thighs tend to stay juicier during the long baking process. And don’t skip that final step of tilting the pan to remove excess fat—it makes a big difference in the final presentation.
How to Make this Sweet & Savory Apricot Chicken
To prepare these deliciously sticky baked chicken thighs, start by creating your sweet and tangy sauce. In a 9×13-inch baking pan, combine one 12-ounce jar of apricot or peach preserves (your choice, both work beautifully), one 8-ounce bottle of Wish-Bone Red Russian dressing, and one package of dry onion soup mix.
Gently heat this mixture until it’s just warm enough to blend seamlessly together. The preserves give a wonderful sweetness, while the dressing and onion soup mix create that perfect savory balance. Who knew three simple ingredients could create such a mouthwatering glaze?
Once your sauce is ready, arrange 10 to 12 chicken thighs in a single layer in the pan. Don’t stack them, or they won’t cook evenly—nobody wants that disappointment!
Pop the uncovered pan into a 400-degree oven and let the magic happen. You’ll want to turn the chicken thighs every 20 minutes or so to guarantee they’re evenly coated in that gorgeous glaze. The total cooking time runs about 1½ to 2 hours, depending on the size of your thighs.
For faster and more consistent preparation, a Commercial Food Processor Deluxe can help you quickly chop onions or other ingredients you might want to add to this recipe.
The sauce will gradually thicken and caramelize around the edges, creating little flavor bombs that might’ve you sneaking bits from the pan. Before serving, tilt the pan to remove excess fat, which makes for a cleaner, more concentrated flavor in that irresistible sauce.
Sweet & Savory Apricot Chicken Substitutions and Variations
While this classic recipe is wonderful as written, let’s explore how you can customize it to suit your preferences and pantry inventory.
I’ve found that peach preserves work beautifully when apricot isn’t available, creating a slightly different but equally delicious flavor profile.
Don’t have Red Russian dressing? Try Catalina or French dressing instead—they’ll provide that same tangy-sweet balance.
For those watching sodium, I recommend using just half the onion soup packet. You can supplement the flavor with fresh minced garlic and herbs like thyme or rosemary.
If you prefer a spicier kick, add a tablespoon of sriracha or a teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture.
Boneless thighs will work too, but reduce the cooking time by about 30 minutes.
What to Serve with Sweet & Savory Apricot Chicken
Pairing the right side dishes with this tangy-sweet apricot chicken elevates your meal from simple weeknight dinner to memorable feast.
I recommend serving it with fluffy basmati rice or couscous to soak up the delicious sauce. The nutty flavor of wild rice also creates a wonderful textural contrast against the tender chicken thighs.
For vegetables, consider roasted Brussels sprouts, steamed green beans, or a crisp cucumber salad with dill. The freshness cuts through the richness of the chicken beautifully.
If you’re looking for something more substantial, try garlic mashed potatoes or honey-glazed carrots.
A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette rounds out the meal perfectly, adding brightness to balance the sweet and savory elements of the main dish.
Final Thoughts
Although simple in preparation, this baked chicken thigh recipe has become one of my most requested family meals. The magic lies in how the apricot preserves caramelize during the long baking time, creating a glossy, sweet-savory coating that transforms ordinary chicken thighs into something extraordinary.
I’ve found that the occasional turning guarantees even cooking and helps the sauce adhere perfectly to every piece. Don’t be tempted to reduce the cooking time—those full two hours develop deep flavor while rendering the fat, resulting in meat that’s incredibly tender inside with that slightly sticky, caramelized exterior we all crave.
After making this dish countless times, I’m still amazed at how three simple ingredients combine to create such a memorable meal that pleases both sophisticated palates and picky eaters alike. Similar to how fresh thyme leaves are added at the end of cooking in mushroom risotto to preserve their aromatic qualities, I sometimes garnish these chicken thighs with fresh herbs just before serving.
