Instant Pot Apricot Chicken is a quick and easy dinner made with chicken breasts, Catalina dressing and apricot jam. Ready in 30 minutes with little prep!
This simple apricot chicken recipe is perfect when you need to feed the family but don't have a lot of energy to cook. Basically, you just add everything to your Instant Pot, press start and cook!
Super easy, right? If you like easy Instant Pot recipes, this pressure cooker chicken dinner is for you!
What You Need for Apricot Chicken
One of the best things about this recipe is you only need a few things to make it:
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Catalina salad dressing
- Apricot jam
- Onion soup mix or your own spice mix (what I do!)
- Water to help the pot reach pressure
You may know this dish as Catalina chicken -- because you use Catalina dressing. We always call it apricot chicken, but both recipes are essentially the same.
How to Make Catalina Chicken in the Instant Pot
All you do is place the chicken breasts in the Instant Pot. Then, sprinkle your onion soup mix or homemade seasoning mix over the chicken.
Pour the dressing over the chicken, and spoon the apricot jam on top. Then, pour a little water into the pot.
I tried to use as little water as possible here. Initially I added a quarter cup, but I had to increase that to a half cup to avoid the burn notice.
Next, you pressure cook the chicken, and allow a natural release for about 10 minutes. This helps keep the chicken from being too dry.
After 10 minutes, quick release the remaining pressure. And that's it! You're done and ready to eat!
Don't be alarmed if your chicken has a slightly pink tinge. This is just from the dressing!
Suggested Side Dishes
This apricot chicken recipe has a lot of sauce, so Instant Pot Jasmine Rice or mashed potatoes are good bets. Pasta or mashed cauliflower would be good too!
I sometimes serve a simple green salad or air fryer broccoli or Brussels sprouts! Pretty much whatever your family likes best!
Instant Pot Apricot Chicken Recipe
Recipe
Instant Pot Apricot Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts about 1.5 pounds
- 1 cup Catalina salad dressing
- ½ cup apricot jam
- 2 tablespoons dried minced onions
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 packet Lipton Onion Soup Mix optional
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in the Instant Pot, and sprinkle the seasoning packet (if using) or the sea salt, onions, garlic powder, and pepper over chicken
- Pour the dressing over the chicken, and spoon the jam over that. Do not stir
- Pour water over and around the chicken, and place lid on the pressure cooker
- Make sure vent is on Sealing position, then hit PRESSURE COOK for 10 minutes
- Pot will take a few minutes to reach pressure then will cook for 10 minutes. When pot beeps, allow a 10 minute natural release, then quick release remaining pressure after that
- Remove lid, then serve chicken, and spoon sauce over chicken when serving
Notes
Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.
Nutrition
JW says
Quick question, can this be a crock pot meal?
Dee says
Yes. Just don't add the extra water, as it isn't necessary for the crock pot.
Jo Jo says
I get a burn warning every time, what am I doing wrong?
Dee says
So sorry to hear this. Are you stirring everything together before cooking? Maybe there is some residue left on the pot from before? I've heard that some of the newer models are more sensitive. Sometimes, adding the water first helps.
Ramona says
I’m making this tonight for my husband and grandson. My husband (then boyfriend) made this for me on our third date 31 years ago, the recipe was on the box of soup mix. I’m so glad to see you turned it into an instant pot meal. Thank you so much!
Dee says
What a sweet story! I hope you like the recipe. 🙂
Bette Lorman says
I made this tonight on stovetop. Didn't have french dressing or Catalina, so used ranch with a squeeze of ketchup. browned the chicken until almost done and added sauce, covered and cooked while rice cooking. Pretty good! I will make it again.
Dee says
That's a wonderful way to improvise, Bette. Thanks for sharing!
Kimberly says
Oh yum, this looks and sounds finger-licking good! On the meal plan for next week!
Dee says
Thanks, Kimberly. Hope you like it!
Catalina says
Sounds and looks delicious! I am so curious to try it!
Dee says
Thank you so much! I hope you like it!
Toni says
Such a delicious weeknight meal! My family loved it.
Dee says
So happy to hear this, Toni! Thank you!
Chrissie Baker says
Loving the apricot flavor of this dish. It is perfect for busy weeknights.
Dee says
Thanks, Chrissie! I'm so glad you liked it!
Dorothy Reinhold says
Recipes like this make me love the Instant Pot more and more. The catalina dressing is a smart addition. I LOVE apricot.
Dee says
It's such a tasty combo -- I love apricot, too!
Sara Welch says
Another great recipe for my Instant Pot! Looking forward to enjoying this for dinner tonight; looks too good to pass up!
Dee says
Thanks, Sara! I hope you enjoy it!
Carrie Robinson says
I am loving the sweet & savory happening here! And bonus points for being made in the instant pot. 🙂
Dee says
It's so easy in the Instant Pot! Thanks, Carrie!