Cranberry Apricot Chicken

Chicken  |  Published Nov 30, 2021  |  Updated Feb 27, 2023  |  By Tawnie

chicken on a white plate with veggies, cranberries and apricots

This apricot chicken made with dried cranberries was an all time favorite of mine growing up! The excitement I have about this chicken recipe is a little over the top but you’ll see why once you try it!

My mom shared with me that this was a recipe my dad fell in love with one year when she made it for him on Valentines Day. Ever since then, we’ve been making it for weeknight dinners!

We are big fans of easy chicken recipes, like this pesto stuffed chicken, healthy orange chicken, and these baked sesame chicken strips.

But I’ve never made anything like this recipe with dried fruit! I love it because it requires such few ingredients but it delivers big on flavor.

It’s a delicious back pocket dinner recipe for busy nights and takes 15 minutes or less to gather ingredients and get on the stove.

chicken breast made with dried cranberries and dried apricots on a white plate

Most cranberry chicken or apricot chicken recipes use apricot jam/apricot preserves or dry onion soup mix to make a sauce but this recipe uses just a few simple ingredients to make a tasty sauce!

Ingredient Notes

Most cranberry chicken or apricot chicken recipes use apricot jam/apricot preserves or dry onion soup mix to make a sauce but this recipe uses just a few simple ingredients to make a tasty sauce!

ingredients to make chicken in small bowls
  • Chicken: I’ve only ever made this recipe with boneless, skinless chicken breasts but chicken thighs will work just as well for this recipe too.
  • Cranberry Juice: this recipe gets a lot of flavor from the juices. Be sure to use a 100% cranberry juice.
  • Orange Juice: freshly squeezed for best flavor, but a store bought juice is just fine in a pinch!
  • White wine: a dry white wine works best.
  • Chicken broth: more liquid to make the sauce.
  • Dried apricots and dried cranberries: I love how the fruit cooks and softens as the chicken is cooking. It’s perfect for spooning over the chicken.
  • Orange zest: adds the perfect orange touch!
  • Cornstarch: needed to thicken the sauce.
step by step photos of making apricot chicken in a large frying pan

Step by Step Directions

  1. Pour chicken broth, juices, white wine, and zest into a large frying pan. Stir to gently combine.
  2. Add chicken to pan. Bring to a boil.
  3. Reduce heat to low, cover with a lid and cook for ~20 minutes or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
  4. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
  5. Bring sauce to a boil. Whisk in cornstarch slurry to thicken sauce. Allow to simmer so sauce can thicken, about 3-5 minutes.
  6. Spoon sauce over chicken. Serve with rice, couscous and your favorite vegetables.
chicken in a black cast iron skillet with a cranberry apricot sauce

Tips and Variations

  • The cornstarch is key to thickening the sauce. I’ve found 1 Tbsp. cornstarch + 1 Tbsp. water is enough to thicken the sauce to our liking, but feel free to add a little more to get the sauce to the consistency you prefer.
  • Use chicken thighs in place of chicken breasts, if preferred. You’ll likely need at least 2 lbs. chicken thighs.
  • Serve with roasted broccoli, asparagus, sweet potatoes, couscous, rice pilaf, orzo pasta, dinner salad, etc.
  • Seasonings: add salt and pepper as desired and red pepper chili flakes for a spicy finish!
  • Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. It’s delicious to have for leftovers!
chicken breast made with dried cranberries and dried apricots on a white plate

HUNGRY FOR MORE? If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback! You can also follow me on Pinterest or InstagramSign up for my email list, too!

chicken on a white plate with veggies, cranberries and apricots
kroll\'s korner logo

Cranberry Apricot Chicken

This dish is quick and easy, yet looks elegant so it will impress your guests or loved ones!
4.89 from 9 reviews
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 214kcal

Ingredients

  • 3-4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1/2 cup cranberry juice
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine, such as a chardonnay
  • 1/2 cup slivered dried apricots
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 2 tsp. orange zest
  • 1 Tbsp. cornstarch mixed with 1 Tbsp. water
  • Garnish: green onions and slivered orange peel, optional

Instructions

  • In a large frying pan, combine broth, orange juice, cranberry juice, white wine, apricots, cranberries and zest. Whisk gently to combine.
  • Add the chicken to this mixture and bring to a boil. Cover with a lid, reduce heat to simmer until the thickest part (the middle usually) of the chicken is no longer pink. (15-20 minutes).
  • Transfer chicken to a plate and cover to keep warm.
  • Bring the liquid in the pan back to a boil, uncovered. Next stir in the cornstarch and water mixture and whisk until thickened. (Season to taste with salt and pepper if desired).
  • Spoon sauce over the chicken. Garnish with green onions and slivered orange peel if desired. Serve with couscous, pilaf, pasta, etc. and your favorite veggies.

Video

Notes

  • I like to serve this chicken with couscous or rice and a veggie – like asparagus or broccoli!
Find Kroll’s Korner on Instagram!Mention @krolls_korner or tag #krollskorner

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (chicken only) | Calories: 214kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 425mg | Potassium: 679mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 699IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg

Last Post

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Cookies

Next Post

One Bowl Peppermint Brownies

I’d love to see what you made!!

Share it with me on Instagram or Facebook and tag me @krolls_korner or use the hashtag #KrollsKorner!

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

18 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
1 year ago

I love sweet and sour dishes, especially those with chicken so this seems the perfect dish for me. Lovely presentation by the way 🙂

Dannii
1 year ago

I love cranberry chicken and the addition of apricot sounds delicious.

Nart
1 year ago

Never thought about using apricots with chicken but they sound like a great combo and the dish looks really good. I’m definitely going to have to try this when I find dried apricots in my local supermarket again!

Maria San Juan
1 year ago

Oh my goodness, I can imagine the taste just by reading this recipe! Thanks for sharing this! Will definitely add this on my menu!

Mirlene
1 year ago

This chicken dinner is perfect for the weeknights. I know I can sip a little wine then throw it into this one pan delight with the rest of the apricots and cranberries!

I love adding sweet condiments to chicken! I usually add mango salsa so adding cranberry and apricots just seems appropriate!

Such a stunning flavor combo!! I love pairing fruits with chicken!

This sounds seriously delish! I love a good sweet/savory combo. I’m definitely scheduling a Pin for later 😀

What a pretty and delicious dish. And easy too! Love adding dried fruit to recipes – apricots, cranberries, and plums (aka prunes) are my faves!

« »
18
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x