Instant Pot Apricot Chicken

This delicious Apricot Chicken dish is so easy to make in your Instant Pot Pressure Cooker. I love this Sweet Apricot Sauce!

This Apricot Chicken dish is easily made in your Instant Pot Pressure Cooker. This recipe is a must for those of you that own a Pressure cooker like the Instant Pot.

I don't recall where I first saw this recipe but I've made it a few times now and my wife keeps asking me when I am going to make it again for her. Yes it's that good!

I make Chicken in my Instant Pot Pressure Cooker at least once a week. Sometimes I just use a little salsa and shred the chicken for tacos. Other times I make something a little more involved like my Instant Pot Lemon Rosemary Chicken & Potatoes dish.

This is the first time though that I add dried fruit to a chicken recipe in my Instant Pot. I wasn't worried about how it would taste when all is said and done. I was more curious about what the dried apricots would be like after being pressure cooked.

Well it turns out the dried apricots just get much softer. I like to chop the apricots into bite-size pieces before adding them to the pot but you can leave them as-is if you want. It won't change the overall flavor of this chicken dish.

Italian Parsley and Flat-Leaf Parsley are basically the same thing. Grocery stores may use either name.

🐓 How to Handle Raw Chicken

Leave the chicken in the fridge until ready to use.
Be careful of dripping juices. Clean up immediately.
Do not wash raw chicken (which prevents cross-contamination).
Wash all utensils and cutting boards (if applicable).
If marinating the chicken, make sure you toss the juices before you cook. Don't ever use the juice from the marinade.
Wash your hands after handling raw chicken.

While we like to serve the chicken with a side of pasta, you can also serve it on a bed of rice or all by itself. Some nice fresh vegetables would pair very well with this dish too.

💭 Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

The Instant Pot is a combination pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer with a few other capabilities.

With an Instant Pot, you can make some recipes in minutes compared to hours the traditional way. While not always the case, it's a very handy appliance if you are always on the run.

The Instant Pot comes with several safety features. If you happen to encounter an error message on the display of your IP, I suggest you visit Instant Pot's Official Customer Care Center.

If you frequently use your Instant Pot Pressure Cooker, you've probably experienced a "smelly" lid. Here's a simple way to get rid of the smell.

Fill the Instant Pot with 2 Cups of White Vinegar. Seal the lid. Use the steam setting for 2 minutes. Remove the rubber ring from the lid and let dry completely before using it.

📋 Gather your Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make this Apricot Chicken recipe in your Instant Pot Pressure Cooker (see recipe card for quantities): Chicken Breasts, Salt, Ground Black Pepper, Vegetable Oil, Yellow Onion, Low Sodium Chicken Broth, Fresh Ginger, Garlic Cloves, Ground Cinnamon, Ground Allspice, Diced Tomatoes, Dried Apricots, Saffron and Fresh Italian Parsley.

🥣 How to make Apricot Chicken

Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper.
Add the oil to the Instant Pot and press the Sauté button. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken and cook for about 4 minutes on each side or until the chicken has browned. Remove from the Instant Pot and set aside.
Add the onion and approximately 2 tablespoons of the chicken broth to the pot. Cook for approximately 5 minutes or until the onion is soft and translucent.
Add the ginger, garlic, ground cinnamon and allspice. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Stir in the tomatoes, apricots, the remaining broth and mix well. Return the chicken to the pot. Press down on the chicken to ensure it is covered in the liquid.
Secure the lid on the Instant pot and cook at high pressure for 11 minutes.
When cooking is complete do a quick release. Remove the chicken from the pot and season with salt and pepper to taste. Optionally garnish with parsley.

📖 Recipe