Russian Apricot Chicken {Slow Cooker Monday}
Made with Russian dressing and apricot preserves, this recipe for Russian Apricot Chicken resembles Asian dishes such as Orange Asian Chicken. It’s also made in your slow cooker so you can just set it and forget it!
If you are:
- On a tight budget and tired of making meals such as Hamburger Helper for dinner, then this recipe is for you!
- A busy parent who is tired of going through the drive thru after every cheerleading or basketball practice, then this recipe is for you!
- Just starting out in the cooking/culinary world and looking for an easy dish to “wow” your family, then this recipe is for you!
I can’t help you with all of the above, however, I can help you when it comes to making this quick and easy dinner! It literally takes only 15 minutes for prep time and cooks all day in your slow cooker! Awesome right?!
Would you like to know how to make it??
When I first made this dish, I was brand new bride without a penny to her name! The hubby and I were literally living off of Ramen noodles and dried beans. You know how it is when you’re young!
I remember thinking to myself as I stirred hamburger meat for the hundredth time, “there has to be more to cook then just this stuff!” Even though those days are far behind us, I will always remember the meals that we made during that time. This recipe is one of them!
It’s the perfect meal to make if you are don’t have all the time in the world to stand near a stove all day. It’s also wonderful for those who are on a budget, as it only requires 4 ingredients!
If you are new to the art of cooking and looking for a recipe that is not only simple, but also will be a SUPER hit with your family? Then you MUST try making this!
When I came across this recipe so many years ago, my experience with cooking consisted of frozen foods and basically the grocery store aisle of boxed dinners. If I can make this recipe with little effort, you can too!
These pair well with our recipe for Lemon and Olive Oil Green Beans!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup peach apricot preserves
- 16 oz. bottle of Russian salad dressing
- 4 to 5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 an onion, chopped
Equipment You'll Need
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts inside slow cooker.
- In a bowl, place the half cup of peach apricot preserves with the entire bottle of Russian salad dressing. Stir together until well mixed and smooth.
- Stir in the chopped onions. Mix well.
- Pour the mixture over the chicken.
- Cook on low for 8 hours.
- Serve over a pile of white rice, with a side of green beans.
Libby's Notes
Adapted from Gooseberry Patch's 5-Ingredient Dishes in Minutes Magazine More Notes:
If you can't find Russian dressing, you can use Catalina or Italian dressing in it's place. You can also use Peach Apricot Preserves as a substitute for Apricot Preserves.
Nutrition
I remember my mother cooking this when I was a kid. She called it Tricia's Chicken. Not sure which Tricia she was talking about though. 🙂 From what I remember it's yummy.
I got this recipe from an old Italian friend. I call it, Mariah,’s chicken. I’ve always used Russian dressing then fill bottle half way with water, 1 envelope of onion soup mix, and apricot preserves. It’s cool reading the same recipe but different items to use.
Thank you for sharing Kerri 🙂
Can I cook in crock pot on high for 4 hours instead of 8 hours on low??
Yes Kathy. You sure can 😉
Ooohhh I am so going to make this tomorrow. Except I will use thights. Thanks for sharing.
how delicious, what fun flavors!
How yummy, and simple. Love recipes like these!! Thanks for sharing.
MMMM! Another amazing recipe from your kitchen! Can I come live with you??? =) You're such a smart mama. Terrific – soo glad you shared!
Absolutely yumm and love all you dessert recipes.
Thank you everyone 😉 Enjoy the recipe 😉
Hello Libby
Thanks for the russian apricot chicken recipe.
I'll create one for sure, my kids are gonna like it 🙂
If you don't mind, can you submit your russian apricot chicken slow cooker photo in http://www.foodporn.net ?
It's a food photography site full of all DIY food pictures from members around the world. Or perhaps you'd like to submit by yourself? Let me know when you did, so I can share it.
Thank you for the invite Nina 🙂 I will have to check it out 🙂
Will Dorothy Lynch work for the Russian dressing?
Dorothy Lynch may work. We have not tried it with that. If it works, please come back on here and let us know 😉
Libby, I couldn't find Russian dressing at Food Lion? Where did you find it? Would French dressing be a good substitute?
Thanks,
Angela
Angela, I have never tried it with the French Dressing. If you have a Wal-Mart near you or Kroger or even a Super Target, I would try looking there first. If all else fails, you can always try it with the French Dressing and see what happens 🙂
Russian Dressing is also known as Thousand Island Dressing in a lot of places.
There is a huge difference between Russian and Thousand Island Dressing. Cannot imagine substituting Thousand Island for this recipe.
Russian Dressing is not even close to Thousand Island Dressing!
Don’t know where those places but Russian and Thousand Island dressings are to different things and in my opinion taste really different
I beg to differ Russian and 1000 Island are very different. However Russian is difficult to find in Northern Colorado for some reason. And after looking in 4 different stores I could only find the 8 oz size.
I am going to try this with pork for a church potluck tomorrow. After reading the post I want to try it again with pineapple apricot! That just sounds heavenly!
Since you could find only the 8 oz. size, buy two bottles since the recipe calls for a 16 oz. size bottle anyway OR–go online and Google ;’Russian Dressing Recipe and make your own. The ingredients are simple and you probably already have most, if not all, already in your pantry. Just a thought. I found my Russian dressing at the supermarket and it’s by Wish Bone. It came in the 15 oz. size, but close enough. Happy hunting.]
My best,
Vicki
Russian dressing is nothing like Thousand Island, or French. I love Dorothy Lynch when I'm not having Roquefort, which I prefer over Bleu 🙂
Big difference between Russian and Thousand Island but what I want to know is where do you find Roquefort I prefer it too but can’t seem to find here in Elko, NV.
Try Catalina dressing. I have a reciepe that calls for french onion soup mix and apricot perserves and I used Catalina dressing.
I make this but add Onion Soup mix , and every once in a while I will also add
a red , green, and yellow peppers. If I can’t find Russian dressing, I just use Catalina
dressing.
8 oz bottle of dressing
1 pack of onion soup mix
1/2 jar of apricot preserves ( 18 oz jar)
4 chicken breast or tenderloins
Optional: slice red, green and yellow peppers ( no need to sauté peppers )
Mix first 3 ingredients in a bowl
Add peppers if desired
Put chicken in the crockpot
Pour sauce over chicken and cook on low for 8 hours.
Serve over rice ( I use minute rice)
It can also be cooked in the oven, follow instructions above
Except put chicken in a baking dish , pour sauce over ,add peppers if desired
Cook on 350 for about 1 hour
Serve over rice
Recipe can be doubled.
I hope that it’s okay to post this please delete if not
Oops I also drain a can of pineapple chucks and add to crockpot or mix in with sauce to cook in the oven.
Any size can of your choice
Thank you for posting your version of the recipe 🙂 It sounds wonderful!
Yes, a whole bottle of Catalina with a package of dry onion soup, together with the apricot preserves is delicious.
And how much chicken?
We use about 4 to 5 chicken breasts.
Just make your own Russian dressing. M1x together mayo, sweet pickle relish and ketchup. It's good, super easy and cheap!
That’ll thousand island here in the Midwest and Texas.
I beg to differ. Mayo,relish and ketchup is Thousand Island, not Russian. Catalina is closest and has no mayo, relish or ketchup at all.
You can actually order that on walmart.com
I made this receipe but used pineapple and appricot preserves- onion soup mix and french dressing it came out great…i made quinoa instead of rice for change …you cannot make a mistake !
Great substitutes and what a wonderful twist to the original recipe! Thanks for sharing!
great idea but russian dressing is a hard find. disappointed. guess we'll have stir-fry
Try Italian dressing instead. I have never used it but it may be a good substitute.
French dressing is similar to Russian
Catalina Dressing is an excellent substitute for Russian. You can find either at King Soopers in their brand or Kraft here in Colorado Springs.
What size bottle of dressing? Sounds perfect for me to put in the crock tomorrow as I'm now working a really long day. Thank you so much!
The standard size…16 fl. oz. I would use a little over half and use your best judgement if you think it needs more 🙂
I make this frequently and often substitute French dressing. It is delicious. Like another reader, I used dry onion soup mix instead of onions. Sometimes I bake mine and it turns out very moist and delicious. This recipe is a keeper!
Thank you for the input Cara. I'm going to have to try baking it next time 🙂
It's surprising to hear some stores don't carry Russian dressing. Where I live it is in every grocery store. The good news is it is the simplist dressing to make from scratch. Mix mayo and ketchup together until you have a pinkish color and a creamy consistancy…. that's basically it. If you want to make it into 1000 Island dressing, add some pickle relish. Sounds crazy but it's just that simple…. Even Rachel Ray makes it that way. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/icebergs-in-russia-salad-recipe.html
Yes…when all else fails, try making it homemade 😉
try the chili sauce (in a bottle by Heinz) instead of Russian dressing- it is superb !
Oh…we will have to try that next time Brenda! Thanks for the tip!
YUK !!! I tried this and it was TERRIBLE… A waste of good food.
I'm so sorry it didn't turn out well for you ;(
This was great–used all of the apricot, russian and onion. After the first meal I put the left over rice in with the chicken and it was even better the second day as there are only two of us. I will be doing this one again and soon.
I am glad you enjoyed it 😉
In this recipe is the chicken frozen?
No…it is not frozen. We used thawed chicken for this one. It is possible to use frozen chicken, however, it may make the dish watery.
Wondering if anyone has tried this with fat free dressing and all fruit preserves or sugar free preserves. Looking to lighten things up….
I have not tried it with these ingredients but it may work 😉 Let us know how it tastes if you do try it 😉
My mother's version of this recipe uses a can of cranberry sauce instead of apricot preserves. Yummy!
Re the salad dressing: If you can't find Russian dressing, you can substitute almost any standard salad dressing that is red in color — French, Catalina, etc. They all work. I've done it about a zillion times.
Cranberry sauce sounds interesting 😉 Thanks for the variation tip 😉
Can buttermilk be used?
We have never tried buttermilk with it. However, I wouldn't suggest it due to buttermilk being a dairy product and the risk of it going bad while in the slow cooker. You can maybe coat the chicken breasts in buttermilk and then in a bread crumb mixture…then bake in the oven. I wouldn't suggest substituting the buttermilk for the dressing though. Hope this helps 😉
Peach preserves or orange marmalade instead of apricot is fine, too. I almost always use then orange marmalade. It's awesome on pork roast, too. Oh, and you don't have to mix the preserves and the dressing, just pour it all over the top of the meat and let it cook.
This is my go-to recipe for company. The sauce is wonderful over rice.
Thanks for the tip Patricia! 😉
I make Kool aid pies all the time all flavors you all should also try strawberry one
We made the strawberry during July 4th this year and it was very good! 🙂
I have made this for years with one change…..I each chicken breast with a slice of WHITE cheese (of your choice, I use Muenster but swiss or provolone would work good) before topping with the sauce and I bake it at 350 for 35-40 minutes. The baked cheese on top of chicken seems like skin but it is not! Sometimes I throw in mushrooms too. This is one of my family's favorite meals!
Oh yummm! We're going to have to try that one day! Thanks for the idea 😉
I plan on making this tomorrow but since I found 2 types of Russian dressing and looking for advice on which one to use. Kens dressing (that looks more like a thousand island) or Wishbone that is more brick red in color. Thank you.
I am sorry I am late in answering this question. I would have went with the Wishbone, however, I have heard either one would work well 😉
I have made this dish in the oven and in the crockpot. I have used low-fat/fat-free and regular Dorothy Lynch, Catalina and French dressings along with fat free preserves. All are wonderful!!! I have also used the onion soup packet when I don't have an onion on hand. It is amazing also! Awesome easy recipe!!!
Thank you for letting us know 😉 So glad you enjoy the recipe 😉
Try onion soup mix instead of the onion with Russian salad dressing and Apricot Jam.
Didn't have apricot on hand, will try peach!
Peach should work just as well 🙂
I've had this recipe for many, many years, but I've only used one (1) pkg. of dry onions and I also add 1/4 cup of applesauce.
I added Madras curry to this — fantastic!
Can this be done in traditional oven? What temp? Covered, uncovered? Like that.
Yes Bake at 350 uncovered for 40 minutes.
If you areusing a slow cooker, it should always be covered.
I have made using pork roast and it is great also
I'm sure it is great with pork roast! Sounds awesome! 🙂
I had forgotten about this recipe! I made it when I was first married in ’72!! Will definitely get the “magic” when we go to the store next week. I’m thinking of serving it polenta (I’m from the south, we call it grits). I will let you know how it turns out.
Polenta would be an interesting twist to this! Please let us know how it turns out 🙂
Instead of the package of onion soup mix, do you have a recipe for homemade onion soup mix? The mix that you can get at the store has a lot of salt in it. Trying to watch salt intake. All of the variations of this recipe sound great. Thanks for any suggestions.
Stan
Hello Stan.
Unfortunately I do not have a recipe for homemade onion soup mix. Hopefully someone on this thread will reply with one.
YOU CAN HAVE 12-15 DIFFERENT MEALS FROM THIS BASIC RECIPE USING PEACH, APRICOT, ORANGE, PINEAPPLE OR MANGO PRESERVES, MARMALADE OR NATURAL FRUIT. ALL VARY DUE TO SUGAR CONTENT. TRY 2 FRUITS TOGETHER LIKE PINEAPPLE AND MANGO OR PINEAPLE AND PEACH. ALL OF THESE WORK GREAT ON CHICKEN AND PORK.
ALSO GREAT HAM GLAZE FOR SPIRAL OR BONE IN SLICE
JUST DONT’T OVERCOOK PORK
ALSO CAN BE DONE IN OVEN
RESERVE LEFT OVER SAUCE FOR DIPPING. BON APPETITE’
Thank you for those tips Roy! I love the idea of using natural fruit. I will have to try that one day 🙂
What do you think works best for this recipe? Dried onion soup or chopped onions?
We always use just a plain onion. We have never tried it with Dried Onion Soup mix.
There are 2 different types of Russian dressing one is Tomato based the other Mayo based and is quite similar to thousand Island. The Russian mayo base has the addition of hot sauce which makes it spicier than Thousand Island. I had found recipes for both types and can be made easily from scratch. So if you can’t find it in the stores make your own.
Russian dressing is made by Wishbone
Also vary fruit component (marmalade, or preserve, or natural fruit
You can have almost 15-18 different dishes and favors varying this part of dish
Apricot, orange, peach, pineapple, mango all have slightly differing favors due to sugar content
Add 2 packs of onion soup mix, not one
Great for chicken, pork chops, ham glaze or even peeled/cooked shrimp!
Do not overlook pork or shrimp
Ir you cannot find the Russian, use BBQ sauce instead
You can get Russian dressing at Walmart centers
As for the onio component!
Cut up an onion and grid same in a blender or food processor
Reserve liquid through strainer of emulsified onion
Pour liquid into dressing/fruit mixture to intensify onion flavor
Misspelled onion
Sorry
Similar recipe that I have used for years. Chicken: Can Whole Cranberry sauce: Catalina or French dressing: envelope of onion soup mix, put in crock pot. Variations, Orange marmalade; other preserves, has never failed!! Makes fancy no work company dish. Also have done frozen winglets for appetizers.
That sounds wonderful Milton! Thank you for sharing!
You should see how beautiful this sauce makes a whole roasted chicken look! Picture perfect and wonderful presentation for guests.
I’m happy to hear this Julie 🙂 Take a picture and e-mail it to me! I’d love to see it 😉
Next time I make it, I will.
Sounds great!
Hi Libby, Thanks so much for ‘re-introducing’ the slow cooker ! I use mine a lot & don’t plan on getting all the “new” counter top appliances coming out every day. My “closing in on 80” age has a lot to do with it, but I must tell you I love your recipes for all things that go in it. I am definitely going to try the Russian Apricot Chicken recipe with ONLY 4 ingredients ! ! Again I thank you for ALL your delicious recipes you bring to us. Blessings, Judy
Hi Judy 🙂 You are very welcome for all of the recipes 😉 I enjoy sharing them with you guys! I am glad you still use your slow cooker. It seems those who use them are few and far between these days.
What is the sodium count on this dish? My Mom is on a low sodium diet.
Hi Debbie! I recommend going to myfitnesspal.com. You can place the ingredients in there and it should calculate it. Hope this helps!
This sounds delicious, but chicken breasts for 8 hours even on low sounds too long. I just made a dish and cooked breasts on low for 4 hours and they were too dry. Is there a way to prevent them being dry?
They aren’t dry when we make this. However, if you are worried about this, you can always put it on high for 4 hours instead of low for 8. Hope this helps!