4 Ingredient Sweet and Tangy Chicken is a go to family friendly recipe and one of the most popular on our site. The chicken cooks in a delectable sauce made from common pantry items.
I remember the day Angela told me the menu she’d planned for our church Share Group meal. The entree was a chicken recipe she’d recently tried and she and her family were crazy about it. Of course, I couldn’t wait to get the recipe details.
She explained that you need but a few simple, ordinary ingredients to make a sauce for the chicken that’s indescribably delicious. Yes, those words were used in a famous candy advertisement but they were the words she used.
I encouraged her to reveal the recipe ahead of time because I was dying with curiosity.
She said, “Oh, it’s nothing to it. You mix up Russian dressing, dry onion soup mix, and apricot preserves.
On the outside, my reaction was joyous and anticipatory.
On the inside, I was thinking something entirely different. Truth be told, I was downright disappointed because the combination sounded odd, to say the least.
The night of the share group meeting arrived. The Sweet and Tangy Chicken was still in the oven when we walked through the door. I convinced myself that anything with an aroma that appealing could never taste odd.
Man, oh man; was I right! That fateful evening was over 30 years ago and I’ve been making that chicken recipe ever since. It’s a departure from my usual scratch recipes because it relies on convenience items. But, it’s a keeper. Folks rave about. Make it one time and you’ll see what I’m talking about. I swanee to goodness.
4 Ingredient Sweet and Tangy Chicken
This is a 4 ingredient dish that will become one of your go-to dishes. You can make ahead first thing in the morning up to the point of baking, place in the refrigerator, then just pop in the oven for a little over an hour, add a side and a tossed green salad. Dinner is served!
8 chicken thighs – You can use a whole chicken or other parts. We love thighs the best. And we want them on the bone with the skin.
1 package dry french onion soup mix
1 (8 oz bottle) Russian dressing (I prefer Wishbone Russian dressing)
1 cup apricot preserves
salt and pepper for seasoning
Mix all ingredients, except chicken, in a bowl. Set aside.
Place chicken pieces in a baking pan. Sprinkle lightly with seasoning.
Pour sauce over chicken and make sure it’s coated well.
Roast uncovered at 400 degrees for 1 hour or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Baste several times during cooking.
Serve it up and act like you are worn slap out from working so hard. Take all the compliments gracefully. You deserve it.
Sweet and Tangy Chicken
Ingredients
- 8 chicken thighs You can use a whole chicken or other parts. We love thighs the best. And we want them on the bone with the skin
- 1 package dry french onion soup mix
- 1 8 oz bottle Russian dressing (I prefer Wishbone Russian dressing)
- 1 small jar of apricot preserves or about a cupful
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients, except chicken, in a bowl.
- Place chicken pieces in a baking pan. Sprinkle with pepper. No extra salt is needed.
- Pour sauce over chicken and make sure it’s coated well.
- Roast uncovered at 400 degrees for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes until chicken is done. Baste several times during cooking. This is the way the chicken will look when done.
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Brie Godfrey says
I made this for dinner tonight. I used a Kroger brand of Russian dressing. My family and I did not like it. I am wondering if it is because I used the Kroger brand. I will try it again with the Wishbone dressing and let you know!
Jackie Garvin says
Brie,
I’ve never used a store brand Russian dressing. As you can see from all the comments, this is a very popular recipe. You’re the first person who commented they didn’t like it. 🙁
Brie Godfrey says
It had rave reviews, thats why I had to try it! I will give it another go using Wishbone dressing!
Rebekah M says
I followed the directions exactly and the tops of my chicken turned black and were burnt. Thankfully I was able to just peel the skin off (which would have been slimy anyways, not crispy). The flavor of the chicken was awesome and I’ll probably do it the same way again knowing I won’t have crispy skin. Chicken was nice and moist. Next time I’m trying home made orange marmalade since I’ve canned so much of it. Served with mixed veggies and a side salad.
Jackie Garvin says
Rebekah,
Did you have your oven rack up to close to the heat source? I’ve never had the skin burn like you described and it always crispy.
Liz says
Hi Jackie I would so love to try this but we dont have russian dressing here 🙁 what are the main ingredients to dressing please thanks Liz
Jackie Garvin says
Russian dressing is very similar to French or Catalina. Do you have either of those?
Arlene Lea says
I had to go online to locate which stores had Russian dressing. It was worth it. This is my go to dinner when I want soething easy or want to impress.
Jackie Garvin says
Arlene,
It’s not as easy to find as if used to be, that’s for sure. I’ve substituted French before but Russian is better, in my opinion.
Enjoy!
Penny says
If you don’t like the onion soup mix can something else be used instead?
Jackie Garvin says
Penny,
Is it the taste of onion that you don’t like? Onion soup mix brings in the flavors of onion plus a hearty beefy flavor. Tell me what it is that you don’t like and we will try to figure out a substitute for you. Although, when the soup is mixed with the other flavors, you can’t differentiate it.
Amy says
Found this on Pinterest and made it for dinner tonight using skin on/bone in chicken breasts with mashed potatoes and green beans. Delicious. Used the Russian dressing, Apricot and Onion soup mix. It was amazing. My husband worked late and came home to this at 7:30 and gave it an A+. A keeper for sure.
Jackie Garvin says
Amy,
I’m so glad you enjoyed this. Thanks for letting us be part of your meal. 🙂
Kim says
Kim
Dina Newhard says
My Mother has been making this for years. But has never used the Russian dressing. Only soup mix and apricot. What the difference with using the salad dressing?
Julie says
I have made this recipe many time, except I use chicken wings for a terrific appetizer!! Make it exactly as you state. This is my go to Christmas, New Year’s Eve, tailgate or Super Bowl party “hit” appetizer! First appetizer gone. Love it.
Jackie Garvin says
Julie,
I bet wings are delicious cooked this way! So glad you enjoy them. Thanks for stopping by.
Angie says
I made this a couple of months ago and it was AWESOME!! I went to get the ingredient’s this past week to make it again and none of the grocery stores in my town sells the Knorr’s French Onion soup mix anymore. Can something else be substituted?
Jackie Garvin says
Angie,
I’ve used other brands, including a store brand, with good results.
Ed Gerrior says
Liptons Onion Soup will work well
Carolyn says
Girl I’m eating it right now! All I did was use Polaner Orange Marmalade instead. Love it, love it. Can’t talk no more have to eat. Thanks
Jackie Garvin says
LOL! So happy that YOU’RE happy.
B.B. Free says
Tested this in my lab (kitchen) tonight, and loved it! Shared it on my Facebook business page.
Jackie Garvin says
Thank you so very much!
Emily says
Wow I’ve pinned this for later, so many good reviews I need to try it!
Jackie Garvin says
I hope you try it, Emily. I need to update this post. The pictures are awful.
Tania says
Jackie, I keep Lipton onion soup mix around but it doesn’t say “French onion soup”. Are they the same or is there specifically a French onion soup mix?
Jackie Garvin says
Lipton’s dry onion soup is what you need.
Pam says
I have made this multiple times since I first found the recipe – I’ve had to switch to Catalina since King Soopers no longer carries Russian Dressing – but this is one of my absolute favorites — served over white rice with extra sauce!
Jackie Garvin says
I’ve done the same when I couldn’t find Russian dressing.
Sylvia Wallace says
Could this be done in a slow cooker? If so, how long to cook?
Jackie Garvin says
I’ve never tested it in a slow-cooker so I can’t advise you. It’s certainly possible. I, sure you’d want to remove the cover at some point otherwise the sauce will be very watery.
Sam says
We don’t eat meat, fish or chicken so tried the sauce mixed with Butler Soy Curls (protein strips) served over brown rice. Awesome!!
Jackie Garvin says
Hi Sam,
So happy to hear you modified it to suit your taste and lifestyle. That’s what cooking’s all about. ❤️
Aimee says
This look simple and yummy, I would like to start making it, but the problem is I went to the store and I can’t find the bottle Russian dressing, I would like to know if there’s a substitute or any dressing I can use? This will be a great recipe for the Family coming for this Summer. Thank you for sharing your video.
Jackie Garvin says
I’ve substituted Catalina before.
Amy says
Could you use irk chops with the sauce?
Jackie Garvin says
Yes! It goes well with pork.
Robert Freeman says
I really enjoyed the recipe. its ease of assembly. . what size jar of preserves did you use and could you use plain onion soup. the french onion was not available
Jackie Garvin says
I measured one cup of preserves out of an 8 ounce jar. Regular onion soup will work fine.
Mary Frances Vickery says
I cannot believe you said “swanee”! My aunt Florence used to say “Well, I’ll just swanee” to just about everything. I had never heard anyone else say it! Thanks for the lovely memory you invoked of my aunt. I will definitely be trying this recipe!
Jackie Garvin says
Thank you, Mary Frances! I’m so happy you stopped by.