• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Meatloaf and Melodrama logo
  • Home
  • About
  • Collaborate
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
    • Collaborate
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About
      • Collaborate
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Recipes » Recipes

    Instant Pot Apricot Chicken

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Mar 4, 2020 · Modified: Feb 25, 2021 by Dee

    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!

    Jump to Recipe -
    apricot chicken breasts over rice on a white platter

    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.

    chicken breasts with apricot jam and catalina dressing in the instant pot pressure cooker

    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!

    catalina chicken in the pressure cooker

    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!

    apricot chicken on a platter next to instant pot and bowl of salad
    close up of instant pot apricot chicken

    Instant Pot Apricot Chicken Recipe

    apricot chicken breasts over rice on a white platter

    Instant Pot Apricot Chicken

    Published by Dee
    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!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    pressure time 5 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 264 kcal

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

    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

    You can use a packet of soup mix OR mix your own seasoning from the ingredient list.
    To thicken sauce, mix a cornstarch slurry of 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon cold water. Use the saute setting after pressure cooking, and when it starts to bubble, stir in the slurry and allow to thicken.
    Serve sliced for approximately 6 servings or unsliced for 4 servings.

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 264kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 16gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 999mgPotassium: 327mgFiber: 1gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 63IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!
    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    Pin
    Share
    Tweet

    More Recipes on the blog

    • Everything Bagel Dip Recipe
    • Valentines Rice Krispie Treats
    • Valentine's Day Snack Mix
    • Steak Quesadilla Recipe

    You May Also Like

    grandma's one pan no peek chicken and rice on a black plate with parsley
    No Peek Chicken and Rice Recipe
    slow cooker teriyaki chicken with broccoli and rice on plate
    Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
    mayo parmesan chicken breast on a plate with egg noodles
    Easy Mayo Parmesan Chicken

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Review Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Jo Jo says

      September 07, 2021 at 7:08 pm

      I get a burn warning every time, what am I doing wrong?

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 07, 2021 at 8:10 pm

        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.

    2. Ramona says

      September 16, 2020 at 1:32 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 16, 2020 at 3:40 pm

        What a sweet story! I hope you like the recipe. 🙂

    3. Bette Lorman says

      August 11, 2020 at 5:58 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        August 11, 2020 at 8:22 pm

        That's a wonderful way to improvise, Bette. Thanks for sharing!

    4. Kimberly says

      March 07, 2020 at 2:18 pm

      Oh yum, this looks and sounds finger-licking good! On the meal plan for next week!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 10, 2020 at 3:53 pm

        Thanks, Kimberly. Hope you like it!

    5. Catalina says

      March 06, 2020 at 1:35 pm

      Sounds and looks delicious! I am so curious to try it!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 10, 2020 at 3:47 pm

        Thank you so much! I hope you like it!

    6. Toni says

      March 06, 2020 at 10:55 am

      Such a delicious weeknight meal! My family loved it.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 06, 2020 at 11:09 am

        So happy to hear this, Toni! Thank you!

    7. Chrissie Baker says

      March 06, 2020 at 2:26 am

      Loving the apricot flavor of this dish. It is perfect for busy weeknights.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 10, 2020 at 3:47 pm

        Thanks, Chrissie! I'm so glad you liked it!

    8. Dorothy Reinhold says

      March 05, 2020 at 7:23 pm

      Recipes like this make me love the Instant Pot more and more. The catalina dressing is a smart addition. I LOVE apricot.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 05, 2020 at 9:25 pm

        It's such a tasty combo -- I love apricot, too!

    9. Sara Welch says

      March 05, 2020 at 4:54 pm

      Another great recipe for my Instant Pot! Looking forward to enjoying this for dinner tonight; looks too good to pass up!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 05, 2020 at 9:24 pm

        Thanks, Sara! I hope you enjoy it!

    10. Carrie Robinson says

      March 05, 2020 at 2:50 pm

      I am loving the sweet & savory happening here! And bonus points for being made in the instant pot. 🙂5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 06, 2020 at 11:09 am

        It's so easy in the Instant Pot! Thanks, Carrie!

    Primary Sidebar

    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

    More about me →

    Trending Recipes

    • Baked Breaded Pork Chops
    • Best Dutch Oven Beef Stew Recipe
    • Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage
    • Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
    • Grandma's Kielbasa and Sauerkraut Recipe
    • Maple Brown Sugar Overnight Oats
    • How to Cook Ramen Noodles in the Microwave
    • Easy Chicken Stuffing Bake

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • All About Dee
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As Seen On

    as seen on buzzfeed delish country living forbes southern living

    Copyright © 2023 Meatloaf and Melodrama