Dried cherriesMy major complaint with baked chicken -- it always comes out of the oven tasting like my son's Nerf ball. For me, the words "moist and tender" and "chicken" just don't go together  ... until the other night! I found a baked chicken recipe that melted in my mouth.

Not only was it moist but it has fruit. This is my secret weapon in getting my toddler to eat meat: cook it with something sweet and juicy. Of course, it's a challenge not to eat all the dried cherries from the bag as you're cooking this. I could eat those by the bushel ...

Try this easy Baked Chicken with Dried Cherries and Apricots recipe and let me know  if it comes out as juicy as mine did.

Baked Chicken with Dried Cherries and Apricots

Prep time: 10 mins.

Cook time: 50 mins.

You'll need:

4 bone-in chicken breasts, skin on

1/4 cup orange juice

1/4 cup apple juice

1/2 cup orange marmalade

1/2 cup dried cherries

1/2 cup dried apricots, sliced

1 teaspoon oregano

salt and pepper to taste

Make it:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Rinse and place chicken in a shallow baking dish. Season with oregano, salt and pepper. Spread marmalade over the top.

3. Add orange and apple juices to the dish. Bake for 20 minutes.

4. Remove from oven and sprinkle dried fruit. Return to oven and bake another 25-30 minutes, basting occassionally to brown the top.

5. Let cool and serve sliced, doused in the juices and dried fruit.


Past Toddler Meals:

Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rice Meatballs

Easy Tofu Stir Fry

Cheesy French Toast

Savory Zucchini Pie

Beans with Sausages

Chicken and Apple Sandwiches

Magic Vegetable Soup

Healthy Brown Rice Crispy Treats

Simple Tuna Casserole

4 Smoothies for Picky Eaters

Chicken Georgia

Mini ham and cheese calzones

Penne with Spinach Sauce

Soft Wraps Idea

Macaroni and Cheese Cupcakes

Breakfast Pizza

Peanut Noodles and Broccoli

Savory Cheddar Bread

Whatever's-in-the-Fridge Smoothies

Israeli Couscous Salad

Oscar's Gross Green Popsicles

Turkey Burgers with Sneaky Veggies

Red Noodles from the Hillbilly Housewife

Confetti Potatoes

Mini Meatloaves

Alex Guarnaschelli's Homemade Granola

Happy Face Baked Pancakes

Yogurt Fruit Salad

Fruit Salsa With Cinnamon Crisps

Sweet-and-Sour Chicken

Italian Goulash

Parmesan Risotto

Chicken Sausages

Barbecue Cups

Healthy Ketchup

Cinnamon Raisin Roll-Ups

Hot Dogs with Mashed Potatoes

Leftover Baby Food Idea