Dinner is about to get a lot more exciting with our Spicy Apricot Chicken Freezer Meal Recipe! A delightful fusion of sweet apricots and a gentle, inviting spice, this dish offers a taste sensation that’s equally comforting and exotic. It has the convenience of a freezer meal and the taste of gourmet, delivering exquisite flavor to your family table without the fuss.

The beauty of this make-ahead meal lies in its simplicity and convenience. Prep it on the weekend, toss it in the freezer, and you’re all set for those busy weekday evenings. It’s the perfect solution for busy families who value both nutrition and time, ensuring you enjoy more quality time with those you love the most.

Are you ready to say goodbye to last-minute cooking stress? We sure are! Let’s walk through the details of cultivating this mouth-watering Spicy Apricot Chicken Freezer Meal together, journeying toward more enjoyable weeknights. Let’s get cooking!

Why you’ll love this Easy Spicy Apricot Chicken Meal Prep

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Spicy Apricot Chicken

Hannah Stewart

A delightful fusion of sweet apricots and a gentle, inviting spice, this dish offers a taste sensation that’s comforting and bringing something fun and new to your kitchen table.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 4

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings

Calories 374 kcal

Equipment

1 Slow Cooker
1 gallon freezer bag
1 High speed blender/food processor

Ingredients

2-3 lb chicken breasts

Sauce (Blend Together):

2 habanero peppers
2 fresh apricots peeled and pitted
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp ginger
2 garlic cloves
2 tbsp coconut aminos or soy sauce
1/2 large onion chopped
2 tbsp raw honey

Instructions

Freezer prep directions:

Prepare a gallon freezer bag, labeling according to your preferred method.
Add sauce ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. (You may have to scrap sides once or twice).
Add all ingredients to labeled gallon freezer bag.
Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible and freeze for up to three months.

Slow Cooker directions:

Thaw freezer bag in fridge 12-24 hours before cooking.
Add freezer bag contents into slow cooker.
Cook on low 5-6 hours.
Serve and enjoy!

Instant Pot Directions

Dump the contents of the freezer bag into the Instant Pot, add 1/2 cup of water.
Set to High Pressure for 15 minutes, then allow a 10-minute natural release followed by a quick release.
Serve and enjoy!

Dietary Adjustments

Make it Gluten-Free:

Use coconut aminos or tamari, not soy sauce.

Make it Dairy-Free:

This recipe is naturally dairy-free.

Freezer Labels

Spicy Apricot Chicken Freezer Meal Printable Label

Notes

You do not have to deseed or deveign the peppers. Since you are only adding two it will not be overly spicy.
If you do not like spice just skip the peppers and enjoy a sweet tangy apricot chicken.
If you do not have fresh garlic use 1 tsp garlic powder as a substitute.
My kids tend to not like spicy food and this one was a bit too spicy for them, but my husband LOVED IT!

Nutrition

Calories: 374kcalCarbohydrates: 70.8gProtein: 16.2gFat: 4.9gSaturated Fat: 1.2gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 3505mgPotassium: 802mgFiber: 6.9gSugar: 33.7gCalcium: 147mgIron: 6mg

Keyword Apricot Chicken, Chicken Recipes, freezer meals, Slow cooker Chicken Recipe

Equipment needed to make Healthy Spicy Apricot Chicken Freezer Dinner

1 Slow Cooker
1 gallon freezer bag
1 High speed blender/food processor

Ingredients for a Quick and Delicious Apricot Chicken Freezer Recipe

2 lb Chicken breasts
Sauce (Blend Together):
2 Habanero peppers
2 Fresh apricots peeled and pitted
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Pepper
1 tsp ginger
2 Cloves garlic
2 tbsp Coconut aminos or soy sauce
1/2 Large onion chopped
2 tbsp Raw honey

How to make a Spicy Apricot Chicken

Prep/freezer directions:

Prepare a gallon freezer bag, labeling according to your preferred method.
Add sauce ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. (You may have to scrape sides once or twice).
Add all ingredients to the freezer bag.
Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible and freeze for up to three months.

Cooking directions:

Thaw overnight in the fridge or in the morning in some warm water (meal may not be 100% thawed but that is okay).
Add the freezer bag contents to the slow cooker.
Cook on low for 5-6 hours. (It may need an extra 30 minutes if completely frozen when placed in the slow cooker).
Serve and enjoy!

What to serve with your Apricot Glazed Chicken Freezer Meal

Sides:

Coconut Ginger Rice
Chopped Salad with Blue Cheese Vinaigrette
Steam-Fried Vegetables

Desserts:

Creamy Piña Colada Pie
Butterscotch No-Bake Cookies
Blueberry Lemon Trifle

Mocktails:

Citrus Mocktail
Chocolate Martini Mocktail
Light and Herbal Mocktail

Popular Substitutions and Additions

Substitutions:

Apricot Jam: If you don’t have apricots on hand, substitute ⅓ cup apricot jam for the 2 fresh apricots.
Lemon Juice: Swap an equal amount of lemon juice for the apple cider vinegar if desired or necessary.

Additions:

Pineapple Juice: Incorporate ¼ cup of pineapple juice to the marinade to add a sweet complement to the spicy and apricot flavors.
Bell Peppers: For additional color and nutrition, toss in ½ cup of finely chopped bell peppers. Our personal suggestion would be to use red, because of their mild yet sweet flavor.

How to Reheat and Store Spicy Apricot Chicken

Best way to store Spicy Apricot Chicken Make Ahead Meal leftovers?

Leftovers are best stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Before selecting your container, allow the leftover chicken to cool to room temperature. This prevents moisture building up in the fridge as it stores, which changes the consistency and texture of the leftovers. If you plan to consume your leftovers quickly, store in the fridge. If you need extended storage, the freezer is a great option!

How long will Spicy Apricot Chicken last in the fridge?

With proper cooling and storage practices in place, your leftover Spicy Apricot Chicken leftovers will remain fresh in the fridge for 3-5 days.

Can I freeze Family-Friendly Spicy Apricot Chicken?

Our prefered method is to freeze this recipe as a raw freezer meal before cooking and to consume leftovers within the designated time frame. To make this a raw freezer meal, label your gallon freezer bag, blend all sauce ingredients in a high speed blender, and add all ingredients into your gallon freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible, seal and freeze for 3-6 months.

If you have already cooked your meal, and are looking to freeze leftovers, follow the same cooling procedures as you would to store in the fridge, then place desired leftovers in a labeled freezer bag or freezer safe container, remove as much air as possible, seal and freeze for up to 3 months.

How to reheat Simple Spicy Apricot Chicken?

Easily reheat your leftover Apricot chicken using your microwave or stovetop. To reheat in the microwave, place leftovers on a safe dish, and reheat in short intervals of 30-60 seconds. Make sure to stir your leftovers between each interval for even heating.

When using the stovetop, select your saucepan and lay out your leftovers evening on the stovetop. Give yourself a splash of water or broth to prevent sticking and a little bit of moisture, which may have been lost in the storage process. Heat your leftovers over medium heat, stirring occasionally until desired temperature has been reached.

Spicy Apricot Chicken Freezer Meal for Busy Weeknights FAQs

What is apricot glaze made of?

Apricot glaze generally consists of sieved apricot jam, sugar, and cognac. Stir them together in a saucepan, cooking over moderate heat for 3 to 5 minutes until thick, sticky, and about 225°F on a candy thermometer.

What enhances the flavor of apricots best?

Citrus fruits, like lemon and orange, complement the sweetness of the apricot while enhancing its tangy flavor. Together, they make a vibrant, refreshing combination of flavor.

Which meat goes well with apricots?

The sweetness of apricots pairs well with many meats. Ham, both baked or served cold, is one of the most popular pairings. Apricots also add a scrumptious flavor and texture to pork burgers. Beef, which has a stronger flavor, is complemented well with the sweetness of apricots, too.

Are apricots a superfood?

Apricots are in the top fifteen superfoods for many reasons. First, they’re full of beta-carotene and other antioxidants, which means they help prevent a number of chronic illnesses. They also have carotenoids and xanthophylls, which are known to improve vision and night and help halt age-related eyesight issues. They’re also an anti-inflammatory good because they contain catechins.

Are canned apricots as good as fresh?

When it comes to flavor, it is generally a personal preference. Healthwise, canned apricots initially were equal to fresh with antioxidant levels but had greater beta-carotene and phenols. The only thing they lacked in comparison to fresh apricots was vitamin C.

Which is better: boneless, skinless chicken thighs or regular (bone-in) chicken thighs?

Bone-in chicken thighs bring robust flavor that boneless chicken thighs cannot because the flavor is housed deep inside the bone. While cooking, it spreads into the meat, leaving a deep, rich chicken flavor. However, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are great if you’re short on time and looking for a healthier option for your dish.

How do I prevent freezer burn?

The best way to prevent freezer burn is to remove as much air as possible from the container or bag you’re using to freeze, and to seal it tightly.

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Don’t forget to come back and let me know how your Spicy Apricot Chicken Turned out!

Jerk Chicken Freezer Meal Recipe – My Family Dinner says:

10 months ago

[…] February 17, 2024 […]
- Reply
Kolaylezzet says:

5 years ago

Thanks for this different recipe.
- Reply

Hannah Stewart says:

5 years ago

You’re so welcome! ???? Enjoy!
- Reply

NEHA KATIYAR says:

5 years ago

wow very nice recipe
- Reply

Spicy Apricot Chicken Freezer Meal Recipe