Apricot Chicken Thighs Over Rice
This easy apricot chicken thigh recipe is bursting with bold, comforting flavors thanks to the warm notes of baharat seasoning. It’s the perfect sweet-and-savory dish for busy weeknights—and with the Instant Pot, you get a hands-free, one-pot meal that feels elevated but totally effortless.
Be sure to make my Instant Pot Whole Chicken and Gravy recipe next!
In just 30 minutes, apricot chicken thighs over rice is on the table with zero stress and minimal effort. No pre-cooking, no fuss—just toss everything (except the dried apricots) into the Instant Pot, press start, and let it cook dinner while you handle everything else.
Introducing my new Book
The Ultimate Kitchen Guide
TO FOOD STORAGE, FREEZER ROTATION, & ZERO FOOD WASTE
Take back your kitchen’s purpose and reformulate the way you manage your kitchen. If you have an unorganized pantry, food going bad in your refrigerator, and you have no idea what’s at the bottom of your freezer, then let me help you create unity and purpose when grocery shopping and planning. We want to fill your freezer with foods that will help on those busy nights, to keep you from eating out and overspending.
What is baharat seasoning and what does it taste like?
We’re always up for trying new flavors around here, and the other day I saw someone on Instagram (from the Middle East) making the most amazing fava bean and rice dish with Lebanese 7 Spice. I couldn’t find it locally, but I did spot baharat—and after a quick Google search, I found out they’re super similar and can be used pretty much the same way. Now that I’ve got baharat in the pantry, I’m always looking for ways to use it so it doesn’t just sit there. This apricot chicken recipe gives major Tagine vibes with that sweet-savory spice blend, but it’s got its own twist—so we’ll just call it inspired, not traditional.
Apricot chicken thighs is a fantastic dish to add baharat spice to. It gives it such a wonderful warm flavor, like what you experience when tasting a curry chicken recipe. The depth of flavors is unmatched, and something you’ll crave many times throughout the year.
Baharat seasoning includes:
- Allspice
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Nutmeg
- Black pepper
- Coriander
- Cumin
You might be thinking this doesn’t sound like a kid-friendly dish—but trust me, it totally is! My four kids are obsessed and ask for it on repeat. They especially love the little pops of sweetness from the apricots—sweet + savory is always a win around here. And if you’re feeling unsure about the baharat spice, no worries—just use half, or skip it altogether. The dish still turns out delicious either way!
How to make apricot chicken thighs
I offer two cooking methods, so choose your favorite one. The instant pot method makes this a quick dish, while the stove-top method offers just a little more labor of love.
Directions:
- Instant Pot Cooking Method: Add chicken, onions, carrots, and garlic to the inner pot of the Instant Pot. In a bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, almond butter, coconut cream, turmeric, baharat seasoning, salt, and pepper. Pour over the chicken mixture. On MANUAL high pressure, cook for 8 minutes. Let it naturally release, or do a 10 minute quick release. Add the apricots, close the lid and let it set in the broth for 10-15 minutes. Serve over rice.
- Stove-Top Cooking Method: In a large dutch oven over medium heat, add 1 Tbsp olive oil to the basin. Add chicken and onions, and cook until lightly browned on both sides. Add carrots and garlic. In a bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, almond butter, coconut cream, turmeric, baharat seasoning, salt, and pepper. Pour over the chicken mixture. Bring to a boil, then lower the temperature to medium-low. Cover with a lid, and let it cook for 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. Turn off the burner and add the dried apricots. Let the mixture sit on the stove for an additional 10 minutes, then serve over rice.
Other recipes you might enjoy:
- Instant Pot Whole Chicken and Gravy
- Lazy Night Korean Beef and Broccoli Bowls
- Melt In Your Mouth Meatballs
- Healthy Reese’s Cups
Apricot Chicken Thighs Over Rices
Ingredients
- 6-8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 onion, sliced
- 4-6 carrots, sliced into 2 inch pieces
- 4 garlic cloves, minced or 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup almond butter
- 1/2 cup coconut cream
- 3 Tbsp baharat seasoning
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 package (16oz) soft dried apricots Trader Joe's are my favorite!
Instructions
- Instant Pot Cooking Method: Add chicken, onions, carrots, and garlic to the inner pot of the Instant Pot. In a bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, almond butter, coconut cream, turmeric, baharat seasoning, salt, and pepper. Pour over the chicken mixture. On MANUAL high pressure, cook for 8 minutes. Let it naturally release, or do a 10 minute quick release. Add the apricots, close the lid and let it set in the broth for 10-15 minutes. Serve over rice.
- Stove-Top Cooking Method: In a large dutch oven over medium heat, add 1 Tbsp olive oil to the basin. Add chicken and onions, and cook until lightly browned on both sides. Add carrots and garlic. In a bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, almond butter, coconut cream, turmeric, baharat seasoning, salt, and pepper. Pour over the chicken mixture. Bring to a boil, then lower the temperature to medium-low. Cover with a lid, and let it cook for 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. Turn off the burner and add the dried apricots. Let the mixture sit on the stove for an additional 10 minutes, then serve over rice.
