Ingredient Meat & Poultry Chicken Chicken Thighs Apricot-Glazed Chicken with Quinoa Pilaf 4.0 (2) 2 Reviews A bitter-tasting compound called saponin coats the outside of quinoa seeds, requiring a quick rinse to remove it. But check the package: some brands come pre-rinsed, saving you a step. By Adam Dolge Adam Dolge Adam Dolge is an award-winning journalist, writer and recipe developer. He is the author and food photographer for the blog The Real Recipes, where he shares recipes inspired by his experience working for food magazines and professional test kitchens. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 18, 2024 Reviewed by Dietitian Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD Reviewed by Dietitian Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H, RD, is a Chinese and Jewish chef and dietitian who has worked in all facets of the food world. She is a recipe developer, culinary nutritionist and marketing specialist with more than 15 years of experience creating editorial and digital content for top food and kitchen brands. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Save Rate PRINT Share Close Credit: Photographer / Jacob Fox, Food styling / Sue Mitchell, Food Styling / Kelsey Bulat Active Time: 40 mins Total Time: 40 mins Servings: 4 Nutrition Profile: Dairy-Free Soy-Free Heart-Healthy High-Protein Egg-Free Gluten-Free Low-Calorie Jump to Nutrition Facts Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients 2 cups water 1 cup quinoa ¼ cup apricot jam 2 tablespoons cider vinegar Pinch of cayenne pepper 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger ½ cup sliced almonds, toasted ½ cup chopped dried apricots (see Tip) ¼ cup chopped pitted Castelvetrano olives ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley ½ teaspoon salt, divided 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed Directions Bring water and quinoa to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer, cover and cook until just tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork. Meanwhile, whisk apricot jam, vinegar and cayenne in a medium bowl. Transfer 3 tablespoons to a small bowl and stir in ginger; set aside. Add almonds, apricots, olives, parsley and 1/4 teaspoon salt to the medium bowl and stir to combine. Stir in the quinoa and cover to keep warm. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook, turning occasionally, until well browned on both sides, 6 to 8 minutes total. Add the reserved jam mixture and reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook until the chicken's internal temperature reaches 165°F and the sauce glazes the chicken, about 3 minutes more. Serve the chicken with the quinoa and drizzled with any drippings from the pan. Tip Depending on where they come from, dried apricots can taste quite different! Turkish (or Mediterranean) apricots are dried and then pitted, resulting in a plumper fruit with an almost gel-like texture. California apricots are halved, pitted, then dried, which produces a flatter, firmer fruit that's more tart. No matter where they hail from, most dried apricots have added sulfur to retain their bright hue; unsulfured ones are browner. Originally appeared: EatingWell Magazine, April 2022 Save Rate Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 558 Calories 22g Fat 61g Carbs 32g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 4 Serving Size 3 oz. chicken & 1 1/4 cups quinoa Calories 558 % Daily Value * Total Carbohydrate 61g 22% Dietary Fiber 7g 25% Total Sugars 26g Added Sugars 9g 18% Protein 32g 64% Total Fat 22g 28% Saturated Fat 3g 15% Cholesterol 107mg 36% Vitamin A 1424IU 28% Vitamin C 7mg 8% Vitamin D 1IU 0% Vitamin E 7mg 45% Folate 97mcg 24% Vitamin K 66mcg 55% Sodium 588mg 26% Calcium 13mg 1% Iron 4mg 22% Magnesium 155mg 37% Potassium 977mg 21% Zinc 4mg 36% Vitamin B12 1mcg 42% Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate. * Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.) (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.