Print

Sticky Apricot Chicken Thighs Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 55 reviews

This Sticky Apricot Chicken Thighs Recipe features tender, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs with a crispy golden skin glazed in a sweet and savory sticky apricot sauce. Made with simple pantry ingredients such as apricot jam, soy sauce, and garlic, this dish is perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner. The chicken is pan-seared for crispiness, then simmered gently in a homemade glaze until perfectly sticky and flavorful. Serve it over rice or mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 2 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil

Glaze

  • 3/4 cup apricot jam
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce (use reduced-sodium if preferred)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons water

Garnish (Optional)

  • Thinly sliced green onions

Instructions

  1. Prep the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs very dry with paper towels to ensure crispy skin. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
  2. Brown the Chicken: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down and cook without moving for 6 to 8 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Flip and cook the other side for 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
  3. Make the Glaze: Reduce heat to medium in the same skillet. Add apricot jam, soy sauce, minced garlic, and water, whisking and scraping up the flavorful browned bits from the pan bottom. Let the glaze simmer for 2 minutes until it thickens slightly.
  4. Finish the Dish: Return chicken to the skillet skin-side up. Spoon some glaze over the top. Cover with a lid, reduce heat to low, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through and sauce becomes a thick, sticky coating.
  5. Serve and Enjoy: Spoon extra glaze from the pan over the chicken. Garnish with sliced green onions if desired. Serve over fluffy white rice or mashed potatoes to enjoy every bit of the sauce.

Notes

  • Patting the chicken dry is key for crispy skin—do not skip this step.
  • Use reduced-sodium soy sauce if watching salt intake.
  • The glaze can thicken further if simmered slightly longer, but be careful not to burn it.
  • Leftover chicken reheats well; store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Green onions add fresh flavor and a pop of color but are optional.

Keywords: Sticky Apricot Chicken, Chicken Thighs, Apricot Jam Glaze, Easy Dinner, Pan-Seared Chicken, Sweet and Savory Chicken

Find it online: https://foodbylina.com/sticky-apricot-chicken-thighs-recipe/