Apricot Chicken Thighs with Olives (Marinated Overnight & Oven-Baked)

Apricot Chicken Thighs with Olives (Oven-Baked Recipe)

Apricot Chicken Thighs with Olives (Marinated Overnight & Oven-Baked)

These apricot chicken thighs with olives are marinated overnight in lemon, honey, and warm spices, then baked until tender with a savory-sweet pan sauce. The apricots go savory, the olives add bite, and the marinade does all the work up front. Serve it with rice or couscous and don’t skip the sauce.

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Mediterranean-Inspired

Keyword apricot chicken thighs, baked apricot chicken, chicken thigh dinner recipes, chicken with apricots and olives, Mediterranean chicken thighs, Oven Baked Chicken Thighs with Apricots and Olives, oven baked chicken thighs with dried apricots, savory apricot chicken

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 50

marinade 1

Total Time 1 1

Servings

Calories 395kcal

Author Cathy Pollak

Equipment

measuring cups and spoons For accuracy.
mixing bowls To whisk up the marinade.
whisk For a smooth marinade result.
Ziploc bag For marinating the chicken.
baking dish 8x8 (20 cm) Keeps the sauce close to the chicken while baking.
Meat Thermometer To check for doneness. (165°F / 74°C)

Ingredients

⅓ cup (80 ml) fresh lemon juice
⅓ cup (113 g) honey
2 tsps. (5 g) ground cinnamon
1 tsp (1 g) red pepper flakes
1½ tsps. (9 g) kosher salt
1 tsp. (2 g) freshly ground pepper
2 tsps. (4 g) ground cumin
1 tsp. (2 g) smoked paprika (do not substitute)
½ cup (75 g) pimento-stuffed green olives, coarsely chopped
⅓ cup (55 g) dried apricots, coarsely chopped
⅓ cup (8 g) chopped fresh cilantro or parsley, plus extra for garnish if you want
1½ lbs. (680 g) skinless, boneless chicken thighs (4 large thighs)

Instructions

In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, honey, cinnamon, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, cumin, and smoked paprika. Stir in the olives, apricots, and cilantro.
⅓ cup (80 ml) fresh lemon juice, ⅓ cup (113 g) honey, 2 tsps. (5 g) ground cinnamon, 1 tsp (1 g) red pepper flakes , 1½ tsps. (9 g) kosher salt, 1 tsp. (2 g) freshly ground pepper, 2 tsps. (4 g) ground cumin, 1 tsp. (2 g) smoked paprika , ½ cup (75 g) pimento-stuffed green olives, coarsely chopped, ⅓ cup (55 g) dried apricots, coarsely chopped , ⅓ cup (8 g) chopped fresh cilantro
Trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs and place them in a large zip-top plastic bag. Pour the marinade over, seal the bag, and turn to coat the chicken evenly. Refrigerate for 24 hours (do not skip the 24-hour part), turning occasionally.
1½ lbs. (680 g) skinless, boneless chicken thighs
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Arrange the chicken thighs in a single layer in a shallow 2-quart (8-inch / 20 cm square) baking dish. Don’t use a larger pan—there won’t be enough sauce around the chicken. Pour the marinade, along with the olives and apricots, over the chicken.
Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the chicken registers 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer and the juices run clear. (I place my thermometer in the thickest part of one of the thighs toward the middle of the dish.)
Garnish with extra chopped cilantro or parsley, if using. Serve over couscous or rice with the pan sauce spooned over top.

Notes

A splash of orange juice or a bit of zest in the marinade adds citrusy depth.
Dried figs or chopped dates can stand in for the apricots for a different sweetness.
A drizzle of pomegranate molasses or balsamic glaze before serving adds a nice contrast.
Fresh parsley works just as well if cilantro’s not your thing.

For optimal outcomes when making these apricot chicken thighs, I recommend referring to the details within the post. The recipe post commonly includes valuable notes, expert tips and frequently asked questions, that are not presented in the recipe card, often including how to make this recipe dairy-free, gluten free or vegan and ideas for healthy ingredient substitutions or variations.

The provided nutrition information is merely an approximation, as variations can arise depending on the specific ingredients/brands you select.

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Nutrition