Skillet Chicken with Apricots and Capers

An easy dinner with the tangy-sweet flavor of California apricots

10 ingredientsPrep: 30 minsCook: 55 mins
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Samantha Seneviratne

Jan 5, 2025

In the realm of one-skillet wonders, this Mediterranean-inspired dish transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary. The magic unfolds as chicken skin crisps to golden perfection, while Israeli couscous pearls drink in rich chicken broth beneath. Sweet dried apricots slowly release their honey notes, creating a perfect counterpoint to briny capers that burst with salty brightness in each bite. It's the kind of recipe that fills your kitchen with an inviting aroma that draws everyone to the table, yet requires just a brief time at the stove – making it ideal for those evenings when you want to create something special without spending hours cooking. The dish tells a story of culinary crossroads, where North African couscous meets Mediterranean capers and Middle Eastern dried fruit traditions, all harmonizing in one satisfying skillet.

Ingredients (10)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 450°F.

  2. In a large straight-sided, oven-safe skillet, heat oil (1 Tbsp) over medium-high.

  3. Season chicken (3) with salt and pepper. Cook chicken until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.

  4. Add onion (1 small) and saute until translucent, about 4 minutes.

  5. Stir in couscous (1 ½ cups), apricots (½ cup), and capers (¼ cup) and cook until couscous is lightly toasted, 3 minutes.

  6. Add broth (2 ½ cups) and bring to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper.

  7. Add chicken, skin side up, and transfer to oven. Bake until couscous is tender and chicken is cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.

  8. Serve with cilantro.