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[Jennifer Leos]

How to Make Nancy Polinsky's Apricot Chicken

If you are looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal that is also delicious and elegant, you might want to try Nancy Polinsky's apricot chicken recipe. Nancy Polinsky is a cookbook author and a contributor to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, where she shared this recipe in 2020. It is a family favorite that uses simple ingredients like apricot preserves, Russian dressing, and dry onion soup mix to create a flavorful sauce for the chicken. You can use any cut of chicken you like, such as breasts, thighs, legs, or a combination of them. The chicken comes out moist and tender, with a crunchy coating of apricot and onion. You can serve it with rice, noodles, or salad for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 Â - 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts (or other cuts of chicken)

• 1/2 cup apricot preserves or jam

• 1/2 lemon, juiced (about 2 Tbsp)

• 2 Tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce

• 1 teaspoon minced garlic (about 2 cloves)

• 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

• 1 Tbsp. olive oil

• 6 dried apricots, coarsely chopped

• 1 package dry onion soup mix

Directions

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

• Lay the chicken flat in an oven-safe dish with sides that is just large enough to hold it in a single layer.

• In a large measuring cup or medium bowl, whisk together the apricot preserves, lemon juice, soy sauce, garlic, mustard, and olive oil.

• Pour the mixture over the chicken. Top it with the chopped dried apricots.

• Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix evenly over the chicken and sauce.

• Bake the chicken for 20-25 minutes until it is just cooked through (chicken should no longer be pink in the middle of the thickest part), or marinate it in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 24 hours before baking it.

• Enjoy your apricot chicken with your favorite side dish.

This article is based on information from PressReader, PBS Food, and WQED Pittsburgh.

Benefits of Apricots

Apricots are not only delicious but also nutritious. They are rich in antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, that help protect your cells from oxidative stress and inflammation. Antioxidants also support your skin health by preventing UV damage and improving skin elasticity ( 1 ).

Apricots are also a good source of vitamin A, which is essential for your eye health. Vitamin A helps prevent night blindness and reduces the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts. Lutein and zeaxanthin are other carotenoids that are found in the lenses and retinas of your eyes, where they protect them from free radicals ( 1 , 2 ).

Another benefit of apricots is their high fiber content. Fiber helps improve your digestion by adding bulk to your stool and preventing constipation. Fiber also feeds the beneficial bacteria in your gut, which can improve your immune system and metabolism. Moreover, fiber can help lower your cholesterol and blood sugar levels by slowing down the absorption of fats and carbs ( 1 , 3 ).

Benefits of Chicken

Chicken is a lean protein that can help you build and maintain muscle mass. Protein also helps you feel full and satisfied, which can prevent overeating and aid weight management. Chicken is also a good source of several B vitamins, such as niacin, riboflavin, and vitamin B6, which are important for energy production, DNA synthesis, and nerve function ( 4 ).

Chicken also provides minerals like phosphorus, selenium, and zinc. Phosphorus is essential for bone health and acid-base balance. Selenium is a powerful antioxidant that protects your cells from damage and supports your thyroid function. Zinc is involved in many enzymatic reactions and plays a role in wound healing, immune system, and taste perception ( 4 ).

One of the benefits of chicken is its potassium content. Potassium is a mineral that helps regulate your blood pressure and fluid balance. It also supports your nerve and muscle function and helps nutrients move around your body. According to studies, potassium can help maintain egg production in chickens ( 5 , 6 ).

How to Enjoy Apricot Chicken

Apricot chicken is a simple and tasty dish that you can make with fresh or dried apricots. You can use any cut of chicken you prefer, such as breasts, thighs, legs, or a combination of them. The sauce is made with apricot preserves or jam, lemon juice, soy sauce, garlic, mustard, olive oil, and dry onion soup mix. The sauce gives the chicken a sweet and tangy flavor that goes well with rice, noodles, or salad.

To make apricot chicken, you need to preheat your oven to 325ÂF (163ÂC) and lay the chicken flat in an oven-safe dish. Then you need to whisk together the sauce ingredients in a bowl and pour it over the chicken. Sprinkle some chopped dried apricots and dry onion soup mix on top of the chicken and sauce. Bake the chicken for 20-25 minutes until it is cooked through.

You can enjoy apricot chicken as a main course or as a sandwich filling. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months and reheat it when you want to eat it again. Apricot chicken is a great way to use up any leftover apricots or jam you have in your pantry.

This article is based on information from Healthline, WebMD, Joy of Keeping Chickens, and Backyard Chickens Mama.

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