Apricot Pine Nuts Chicken Skillet

Apricot Pine Chicken Skillet is a sweet-and-savoury one-pan dinner made with tender chicken, dried apricots, and toasted pine nuts, finished with herbs and warm spices. Cooked entirely in a single skillet, this dish balances gentle sweetness with savoury depth and a touch of smokiness. Simple, comforting, and full of flavour, it’s an easy weeknight meal that still feels a little special.

Hey folks – this is one of those skillet recipes that quietly surprises you with how well everything comes together. The apricots soften and melt into the sauce, the chicken stays juicy, and the pine nuts add just the right crunch at the end. It’s straightforward, deeply satisfying, and perfect when you want something different without overcomplicating dinner. So, let’s dive into this Apricot Pine Chicken Skillet.

Why You’ll Love This Apricot Pine Nuts Chicken Skillet Recipe

• One-skillet simplicity. Everything cooks in one pan for easy cleanup.
• Sweet–savoury balance. Dried apricots add gentle sweetness that complements the chicken.
• Great texture contrast. Soft chicken and fruit finished with crunchy pine nuts.
• Aromatic and warming. Herbs and smoked paprika bring depth without heaviness.
• Flexible serving options. Works well with rice, couscous, or crusty bread.

Flavour and Texture Profile

This apricot pine chicken skillet is tender, gently saucy, and warmly spiced. The apricots soften as they cook, creating a subtle sweetness that coats the chicken, while herbs and smoked paprika add savoury complexity. Toasted pine nuts bring nuttiness and crunch, and optional jalapeño adds a fresh, mild heat at the finish.

Ingredients You’ll Need for This Apricot Pine Chicken Skillet

• Chicken breasts. Cut into even strips for quick, uniform cooking.
• Dried apricots. Pitted and sliced, they soften into the sauce and add natural sweetness.
• Pine nuts. Toasted for crunch and nuttiness at the end.
• Olive oil. Used to sauté the onions and start the dish.
• Butter. Adds richness and helps bind the flavours together.
• Onion. Thinly sliced onion provides sweetness and depth.
• Dried herb blend. Italian or Greek seasoning works well here.
• Fresh oregano. Adds brightness and a fresh herbal note.
• Smoked paprika. Brings warmth and subtle smokiness.
• Salt and black pepper. Essential for balancing flavours.
• Jalapeño. Optional, for a fresh and slightly spicy finish.

Possible Additions and Variations

• Add garlic. A clove or two sautéed with the onions deepens the flavour.
• Use chicken thighs. Boneless thighs stay especially juicy.
• Add citrus. A splash of lemon juice brightens the sweetness of the apricots.
• Swap herbs. Thyme or rosemary work nicely in place of oregano.
• Make it spicier. Add chili flakes or extra jalapeño.

How to Make Apricot Pine Chicken Skillet

To make this Apricot Pine Chicken Skillet, start by heating the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook until soft and translucent, then remove them from the pan.

In the same skillet, cook the chicken strips over high heat until no longer pink. Lower the heat, return the onions to the pan, and add the butter, apricots, dried herbs, fresh oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cover and cook until the chicken is tender and lightly golden.

Finish the dish by sprinkling with toasted pine nuts and sliced jalapeño if using, then serve immediately.

More Hearty Skillet Recipes

Are you looking for more easy comfort main recipes, like this Apricot Pine Chicken Skillet. Be sure to check more recipes below:

• Creamy Chicken with Prunes (One-Skillet Recipe)
• Skillet Gnocchi with Ham and Tomatoes
• Shawarma-Inspired Skillet Chicken
• Crispy Skillet Gnocchi with Caramelized Onions and Chestnuts

I’d love for you to try this Apricot Pine Chicken Skillet. If you give this hearty recipe a go, please share your results in the comments, message me on Instagram, or post your photos with the hashtag #havocinthekitchen. I look forward to seeing your creations and hearing your thoughts.

Cheers!

Apricot Pine Nuts Chicken Skillet

Recipe by Ben | Havocinthekitchen

Apricot pine chicken skillet made with tender chicken, dried apricots, herbs, and toasted pine nuts. A sweet and savoury one-pan dinner.

Course: Mains and Comfort DishesDifficulty: Easy

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Servings

3-4

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Cook Mode

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Ingredients

• 1 tbsp. (14 ml.) olive oil

• 2 tbsp. (30 gr.) butter

• 1 medium onion, finely sliced

• 3 large (~600 gr. total) skinless chicken breasts, sliced long even strips about 2-3 cm thick

• 2/3 cup(170 gr.) dried pitted apricots, halved or sliced

• 1 tbsp. dried herbs like Italian/Greek seasonings

• 1 tbsp. fresh oregano

• 1 tsp. smoked paprika

• salt and black pepper, to taste

• 1/4 cup (35 gr.) pine nuts, toasted

• jalapeno (seeded and sliced), optional

Directions

• In a large skillet/pan heat the olive oil over medium heat and cook the onions, about 5 minutes, until soft and translucent. Remove from the skillet.
• To the same skillet add the chicken breasts and cook 5 minutes or until no longer pink, over high heat.
• Decrease heat to medium to low-medium. Return the onions, add the butter, apricots, Italian or Greek seasoning, fresh oregano, smoked paprika, salt and pepper to taste. Cover and cook for about 10-12 minutes or until the chicken is soft and golden.
• When serving, sprinkle with the pine nuts and jalapenos, if desired. Enjoy!