This Sheet Pan Honey Apricot Chicken and Asparagus is a healthy and fresh Spring dinner that cooks entirely on one tray! The easy weeknight meal requires just 10 minutes of prep for a simple, family-friendly dish that will make your tastebuds sing.
Hey, friends! Happy Friday to you! Is it spring yet where you live? Is your asparagus in season? According to my unscientific observations from the grocery store produce department (and the rainy week that we've had), I can tell you that it's definitely that time of year in Virginia!
When I noticed the asparagus on sale at my local grocery store last weekend, I scooped up multiple pounds of the green goodness to use in dinners for the week. Plus, it was the vegetable "special" when Keith and I went out to eat at a local farm-to-table restaurant last Saturday.
If it's cheap, fresh, and delicious, you better believe that I'm going to take advantage while it lasts!
Since my husband and boys wouldn't find a tray of asparagus to be an acceptable dinner on its own, I figured that I better add some chicken to bulk up our recent supper. With half a jar of apricot preserves in the refrigerator, this meal was born!
Sheet Pan dinners are the only way to go -- they're just SO easy. The best part is definitely at the end...when there is only ONE TRAY to wash. Can't beat that!
Serving Suggestions
I like to pair the chicken and asparagus with a simple side dish that doesn't require much effort, and that doesn't utilize any additional dishes. A few slices of crusty bread works perfectly for soaking up any of the extra apricot glaze, while microwaveable pouches of rice are another handy option.
You could also try serving this with roast potatoes, mash, roasted squash, green beans, broccoli or any veg you prefer!
You're going to love this preparation method for chicken and asparagus! Thanks to the sweet glaze, the chicken stays moist and tender on the inside while getting a nice, crispy char on the outside. The asparagus is tender, but still a beautiful shade of bright spring green. No mushy, bland veggies here!
Tips For Making Honey Apricot Chicken
- Cooking for Two? This is a perfect meal to scale down for smaller quantities. Just cook one or two chicken breasts on your tray and cut the rest of the ingredients in half as well!
- Want to Prep Ahead? Make the apricot sauce in advance and keep it in the refrigerator for up to one week. You can also trim and wash the asparagus ahead of time so that when you're ready to make dinner, there's absolutely NO prep work necessary -- just place on the tray and bake!
- If you're not a fan of parsley, basil is another herb that will go really well with this apricot chicken.
I hope that you love this new, simple dinner to add to your weeknight routine. It's a perfect way to welcome the warmer weather!
More Chicken Recipes You Might Like;
- Crispy Roast Chicken with Vegetables
- Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
- Maria's Ranch Chicken Kabobs
- Teriyaki Grilled Chicken Marinade
Sheet Pan Honey Apricot Chicken and Asparagus
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs. total)
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- ¼ cup apricot preserves
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce can substitute with tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free option
- ½ teaspoon salt or more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 lb. asparagus about 1 bunch, woody ends removed
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven 400°F (200C). Line a baking sheet with foil and coat with non-stick cooking spray.
- Place chicken breasts in the center of the prepared baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, apricot preserves, honey, garlic, soy sauce, salt and pepper. Pour about ½ cup of the apricot dressing over the chicken, reserving ¼ cup for later.
- Bake chicken for about 20 minutes, or until almost cooked through.
- Remove pan from the oven and switch oven setting to BROIL.
- Place asparagus on the tray around the chicken. Baste chicken and asparagus with remaining apricot dressing.
- Place tray under the broiler and cook for an additional 6 minutes, or until asparagus is tender and chicken is crispy.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley just before serving.
Notes
Tips For Making Honey Apricot Chicken
- Cooking for Two? This is a perfect meal to scale down for smaller quantities. Just cook one or two chicken breasts on your tray and cut the rest of the ingredients in half as well!
- Want to Prep Ahead? Make the apricot sauce in advance and keep it in the refrigerator for up to one week. You can also trim and wash the asparagus ahead of time so that when you're ready to make dinner, there's absolutely NO prep work necessary -- just place on the tray and bake!
- If you're not a fan of parsley, basil is another herb that will go really well with this apricot chicken.
Bethany @ athletic avocado
Yay for asparagus season! I'm in love with sheet pan dinners as it is, and this recipe only adds on to my list of ones to make! Mmmm that sweet sticky sauce!
Blair
Thanks so much, Bethany! I agree -- LOVE asparagus season (and one tray dinners)!
mary
do you think you could freeze this after step 4 and then defrost and proceed with the rest of the recipe?
Blair
Hi, Mary! I'm honestly not sure -- I've never tried that. I also don't know how the asparagus would freeze. I worry that the texture would be mushy or watery when it thaws again...but I'm not sure! 🙂
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
What a fun use for apricot preserves, Blair! I'm always on the hunt for more sheet pan meals, so this chicken and asparagus dish is calling my name. Love the flavors of this too...sounds perfect for dinner!
Blair
Thanks so much, Gayle! I'm always up for an excuse to eat apricot preserves -- especially if it doesn't require too many dishes! 🙂
Kristy from Southern In Law
What a delicious combination! I know my Dad would LOVE this as he loves any kind of savoury dish that uses apricots! It always grossed me out when I was a kid - but now I totally get it!
Blair
Thanks, Kristy! I'm a huge fan of using apricots in savory dishes too...you Dad is a wise man. 🙂
Melanie
Have you ever marinated chicken in this and then baked it? Does the sauce caramelized and get gooey and burn?
Blair
Hi, Melanie! I have not tried marinating the chicken in the sauce first. I think that would work fine. The sugars in the sauce definitely caramelize on the pan as it cooks, but it does not burn on the chicken. I like how the broiler finishes it off and makes it crispy at the end, but just keep an eye on it -- the broiler works fast and you'll want to take it out when it reaches the desired finish.
Melanie
I used as a marinade and cooked according to directions. I made this for 150 people and it was AMAZING!!! Rave reviews, great recipe, so simple. It's a keeper! I did use simply orange juice, pulp free to simplify process.
Blair
That's great, Melanie! I'm so glad that it was a hit! Thank you for letting me know! 🙂
lee
Hi Blair,
I love this one! I have had apricot chicken and honey chicken but to mix them both? Had not thought do do that! It looks absolutely amazing, your photography skills are bang on! You can almost smell and taste the chicken!
I will definitely be adding this one to my to do (and enjoy) list!
Many thanks for the great recipe
Blair
Thanks so much, Lee! It's a great combo!
Abigail
Should I broil in low or high? Looking forward to trying tonight!
Blair
Hey, Abigail! I'd broil on high, but be sure to keep your eye on it because it can burn quickly if you get distracted. 🙂
Callie
I saw this recipe in a Buzzfeed article and had to try it! So glad I did, it was delicious! My husband and daughter loved it as much as I did. And the quick prep and clean-up made me even happier. Thanks! I’ll be browsing through your other recipes now!
Blair
Hey, Callie! I'm so glad that you found the recipe and that you've stopped by the blog. Hopefully you'll discover many more easy recipes to add to your rotation. 🙂
Pam
So glad I found this recipe! It was so tasty and easy to make. All 3 of my kids are it and asked for more, that is a big deal!!!
Blair
Yay! Thanks, Pam! I'm so glad that you found it, too!
Julie
Is there another vegetable you could substitute for the asparagus?
Blair
Hey, Julie! Yes, you can use broccolini (thin broccoli) or green beans!
John Klasen
This was a fantastic dish, I doubled the sauce and added some ginger paste (gave it a bit of bite)! A note for those using extra chunky preserves though, make the sauce in a blender or small food processor, it makes the mixture a lot smoother.
Blair
Great tip, John! Thanks for your note. 🙂
Lexi
My Oven doesn’t have a broiler option. Will this still be good if it only bakes?
Blair
Hi, Lexi! Yes -- it just won't have that crispy finish. You can crank up the heat on your oven to the highest temp (usually about 500 degrees F) and essentially achieve the same effect at the end, if you want. Enjoy!
Kelly
this was delicious and easy!
Blair Lonergan
Thank you, Kelly!