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–+ servings
Sweet Sour Chicken
This Sweet-Sour Chicken is a classic mid-century American casserole-style dish that reflects the convenience cooking era, when bottled dressings and soup mixes were cleverly repurposed into reliable family meals. The combination of Russian dressing, onion soup mix, and apricot preserves creates a tangy-sweet glaze that bakes into the chicken, keeping it tender and flavorful with almost no prep work. Often served with rice and green vegetables, this dish became popular for potlucks, buffet tables, and busy weeknight dinners because it could be assembled quickly and scaled easily. Its balance of savory and fruity flavors makes it comforting, familiar, and surprisingly satisfying even decades later.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 420 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 broiler-fryer chicken (2½–3 lb, cut up)
  • ½ cup Russian dressing (dark red variety)
  • 1 env onion soup mix (about 1 oz)
  • ½ cup apricot preserves
  • 2 to 3 tbsp water

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Arrange chicken pieces in a shallow baking dish.

Step 2: Mix the Sauce

  • In a bowl, combine Russian dressing, onion soup mix, apricot preserves, and water.
  • Stir until smooth and well blended.

Step 3: Sauce the Chicken

  • Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken pieces.
  • Turn pieces slightly to coat.

Step 4: Bake Until Tender

  • Bake uncovered for 1¼ hours, or until chicken is tender and fully cooked.
  • Baste once or twice if desired.

Step 5: Serve

  • Serve hot with cooked rice and green vegetables.

Tips

  • Use chicken thighs for extra juiciness
  • Add pineapple chunks for a tropical twist
  • Serve over egg noodles instead of rice
  • Reduce sodium by using low-sodium soup mix
  • Add sliced onions to the pan for more depth
  • Make ahead and reheat gently for potlucks
  • Use peach preserves if apricot is unavailable
  • Double the sauce for extra spooning over rice
  • Finish with fresh parsley for color
  • Try in a slow cooker on low for 6 hours

Nutrition

Calories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 32gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 980mgPotassium: 420mgFiber: 1gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 850IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 2.1mg
Keyword baked chicken, comfort food, easy dinner, potluck, retro cooking, sweet and sour, vintage recipe
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