Sticky apricot, honey chicken with almond rice

Prep time
20min
Cook time
30min
Serves
2

A great way to use up the last bit of apricot or peach jam in the jar.

Ingredients:

  • 2 Tbsp (30ml) olive oil
  • 1 x County Fair Chicken Thigh (4pcs)
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme, or dried
  • ¼ cup (60ml) apricot jam
  • ¼ cup (60ml) honey
  • 1 Tbsp (15ml) soy sauce
  • Juice of 1 orange
  • 1 cup (250ml) cooked jasmine rice
  • 50g flaked almond, toasted (can substitute for peanuts or leave out)
  • 2 Tbsp (30ml) parsley, roughly chopped, plus extra for garnish
  • Salt and milled black pepper

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
  2. Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a skillet or heavy-based pan. Season the chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper, then add to the heated pan, skin side down. Allow the skin to fry golden and crispy, then remove from the heat.
  3. Turn the heat down on the pan, and add the onion and thyme sprigs. Gently sauté for 8 minutes, until softened. Stir often to avoid too much colour. Discard the thyme stalks from the pan.
  4. In a bowl, whisk the apricot jam, honey, soy and orange juice together. Place the chicken back into the pan, skin side up, then tip in the jam mixture. Swirl the pan around, allowing the glaze to melt.
  5. Place the lid on the dish, or cover it with foil, and place it in the oven. Allow to cook for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
  6. Prepare your rice by gently stirring the almonds and parsley through it, then season with salt and pepper.
  7. Divide the rice between two bowls, top with two pieces of chicken each and spoon over some of the glaze and onion mix. Top with extra chopped parsley.
  8. Serve.