Apricotlemon Chicken Recipes

CHICKEN WITH APRICOTS, LEMON AND SAFFRON

Steps:

• Season chicken generously on both sides with salt and pepper. (If time permits, do this an hour before cooking or up to 24 hours in advance. Keep refrigerated, but remove from refrigerator 1 hour before cooking.)
• In a large skillet over medium heat, place chicken pieces skin-side down in one layer. Let chicken cook slowly to brown well on one side, about 15 to 20 minutes. When skin is crisp and lifts easily from the pan, it is ready. Flip and cook 2 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, make saffron water: In a small cup, combine saffron with lemon juice and 1/4 cup water. Set aside to steep.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Transfer chicken, skin-side up, to a baking dish. Pour off some fat from the skillet, reserving about 2 tablespoons. Add onions, salt lightly and cook, stirring, until softened and beginning to brown, about 10 minutes.
• Add saffron water and threads, tomato purée, cayenne, coriander, fennel, cardamom and wine to onions and bring to a simmer.
• Pour onion mixture over chicken. Tuck apricots and lemon slices among the chicken pieces. Cover tightly and bake for 1 hour. Remove cover and bake until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. (Recipe can be prepared to this point up to 2 days ahead. When ready to serve, reheat in a 350-degree oven, in a covered pot, 30 to 45 minutes.)
• To serve, garnish with cilantro and mint leaves. Sprinkle with pine nuts and serve hot.

APRICOT/LEMON CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine preserves, lemon juice, soy sauce, and zest in a bowl.
• Dip chicken pieces in mixture. The large chunks won't stick. Reserve the left-overs for a baste.
• Coat the dipped chicken pieces with bread crumbs, patting to adhere crumbs to chicken.
• Place chicken in greased 13x9 pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Drizzle with melted butter.
• Bake for 35 mins., then remove from oven and pour the reserved apricot mixture over the chicken.
• Bake until done, perhaps 30-mins. depending on the thickness of the chicken.
• Remove from oven and squeeze one whole lemon (or to taste) over the chicken.
• Serve with lemon edges, steamed rice and green salad.

APRICOT CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine preserves, salad dressing and ginger if desired; set aside. Place chicken in a greased 8-in. square baking pan; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with apricot mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until chicken juices run clear.

LEMON-APRICOT CHICKEN (LIGHTER)

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425°F. Spray 15x10x1-inch pan with cooking spray. In shallow bowl, beat egg product and water slightly. In another shallow bowl, mix Bisquick mix, lemon peel and garlic powder.
• Between pieces of plastic wrap or waxed paper, place each chicken breast smooth side down; gently pound with flat side of meat mallet or rolling pin until about 1/2 inch thick. Dip chicken into egg mixture, then coat with Bisquick mixture. Place in pan. Spray chicken with cooking spray.
• Bake uncovered 20 minutes. Turn; bake 10 minutes longer or until juice is no longer pink when centers of thickest pieces are cut. Cut chicken crosswise into 1/2-inch slices.
• In 1-quart saucepan, mix all remaining ingredients except lemon slices. Cook over medium-low heat until hot, stirring frequently. Cut chicken crosswise into 1/2-inch slices; pour sauce over chicken. Garnish with lemon slices.

CHICKEN WITH APRICOTS

Steps:

• Combine apricots in a bowl with vinegar, wine and 1/4 cup water. Let soak while you brown the chicken.
• Turn the heat to medium high under a 12-inch nonstick skillet, and add chicken pieces, skin side down. Cook, rotating but not turning pieces so they brown evenly. When they are nicely browned - take your time - turn them so they are skin side up. Make a little space to add the onion, and cook, stirring the onion occasionally until it has softened a bit, a minute or two.
• Add apricot mixture and bring to a boil; cook for a minute, then turn heat to low and cover. Cook until chicken is done, 15 to 20 minutes. Uncover, raise heat and season chicken well with salt and pepper. Boil away any excess liquid; sauce should not be too watery. Serve with white rice or any other cooked grain, or bread.