Apricot Chicken with Charred Scallions

Apr 29, 2025 - 14:04
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Apricot Chicken with Charred Scallions
Apricot chicken on a sheet pan with charred scallions on top.

Well, That Was Unexpected.

Lindsay Ostrom headshot.

If you described this meal to me, I’d raise my eyebrows at you. Chicken on a sheet pan, with a few basic sauce elements poured right over the top? Like, really?

But every time I’ve made this apricot chicken, both Bjork and I and our friends have literally said outloud – Wow. Why is this so good? It’s humble, it’s low-key, but it has absolutely incredible flavor.

Sesame oil, soy sauce, with a bit of sweetness (our buddy apricot jam! 😍) are an excellent flavor base – but the thing that deserves most of the flavor credit here is that tangle of charred scallions. They give a nice oniony flavor, but also a roasty depth feels like you spent a few hours on this instead of just 15 minutes.

The chicken stays tender and juicy thanks to a short bake time, the scallions are fun and pretty, and if you can scrape up any browned bits or juices from the pan to spoon over your rice bowl, you’re in for a treat. It’s so good.

Of all our SOS recipes this season, I think this might be the easiest.

I hope you love it! And for more of our most popular easy dinner recipes, click here!

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Watch How To Make This Apricot Chicken

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A picture of Sesame Apricot Chicken with Charred Scallions

Sesame Apricot Chicken with Charred Scallions


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  • Author: Lindsay
  • Yield: 4 servings

Description

This apricot chicken, made on a sheet pan, is so easy and SO GOOD! Just a few simple ingredients, minimal cleanup, and a major flavor boost from the roasty charred scallions on top.


Ingredients

Units

Sesame Apricot Chicken with Charred Scallions

  • 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt + 10 cracks of freshly ground pepper
  • 1/4 cup toasted sesame oil
  • 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • 10 scallions, sliced in half lengthwise
  • 1/4 cup apricot preserves
  • a few tablespoons of chili crisp

For serving:

  • Rice
  • Any other vegetables – I like cucumbers

Instructions

  1. Preheat: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Place a oven rack near the top.
  2. Prep Scallions: Cut the scallions in half lengthwise.

    Slicing scallions on a cutting board.

  3. Prep Chicken: Cut the chicken into thinner pieces horizontally. Place chicken on a sheet pan; season with salt and pepper. Drizzle sesame oil and soy sauce directly over the chicken.

    Raw chicken on a sheet pan with oil over top.

  4. Add Scallions: Toss the scallions in some of the oil.

    Tossing scallions in oil on a sheet pan.

  5. Bake: Place the scallions on top of the chicken. Bake for 6 minutes near the top of the oven.

    Scallions arranged over chicken on a sheet pan.

  6. Broil: Turn the broiler on; broil for 1-2 minutes – the goal is to get the chicken cooked through (165 degrees) a small amount of charring on the scallions. There is tons of yummy flavor in those charred bits! Immediately spoon apricot jam and chili crisp over the top of each piece so it kind of melts in.

    Baked chicken and scallions on a sheet pan.

  7. Serve: Serve chicken and a tangle of the charred scallions with rice, spooning extra pan juices over the top (or just drizzling with extra sesame oil and soy sauce). Humble method, max flavor!

    Apricot chicken in a bowl with rice and cucumber.

  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Bake
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: apricot chicken, sheet pan chicken, chicken dinner recipe

Frequently Asked Questions For This Recipe

Can you use a different cut of chicken, like chicken thighs?

I didn’t try it with thighs, but I think it would work – I would just leave them whole, and you’d just need to bake it a bit longer since they are thicker.

Could you grill this recipe?

Yes, and maybe just use sesame oil and soy sauce to marinate the chicken or brush it as it’s grilling.

Are there any other jams/preserves that could work in a pinch?

Orange would work great, or a drizzle of honey could be used in a pinch too!

What veggies can I add to this?

I love this with the fresh cucumber pictured, but you could also add some air-fried broccoli or green beans.

What could you substitute for the scallions?

Thinly sliced shallots would be delicious here!

Could you make this vegetarian with tofu?

Yes! Use this sesame apricot tofu recipe. Same flavors and also very very delicious!

The post Apricot Chicken with Charred Scallions appeared first on Pinch of Yum.

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