The beauty of this dish is that it relies on a handful of flavorful ingredients to create a rich, complex-tasting sauce.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch glass baking dish with nonstick spray or a little oil .
2. Arrange the Chicken
Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels and trim any large excess skin or fat. Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the prepared dish, skin side up, leaving a little space between each piece so the heat can circulate .
3. Make the Glaze
In a medium bowl, combine the peach preserves, chili sauce, and dry onion soup mix. Stir until the preserves are mostly dissolved and the sauce is thick, glossy, and a deep peachy-red color .
4. Coat the Chicken
Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken. Use a spoon or spatula to turn and coat the chicken so that every piece is well covered with the glaze .
5. Cover and Bake
Cover the baking dish loosely with foil and place it on the center rack of the oven. Bake for 25 minutes. This allows the chicken to gently poach in the sauce and start to become tender .
6. Uncover and Finish
Remove the foil, baste the chicken with some of the pan sauce, and return the uncovered dish to the oven. Continue baking for another 25 to 35 minutes, basting once more, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is bubbling and caramelized around the edges. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the meat .
7. Rest and Serve
Remove the baking dish from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 to 10 minutes. This allows the juices to settle and the sauce to thicken slightly. Serve warm, spooning some of the glossy pan sauce over each portion .
Pro Tips for the Best Chicken Martinique
The Chili Sauce Matters: Look for a smooth, tomato-based chili sauce (often found near the ketchup and BBQ sauces). It provides a distinct tangy depth that's key to this dish's flavor .
For a Little Extra Caramelization: If you'd like a deeper, stickier glaze, switch the oven to broil for 1 to 3 minutes at the end of cooking. Watch it closely so the sugars in the sauce don't burn—you're aiming for sticky, glossy chicken with darkened, flavorful edges, not blackened spots .
Adjust the Sweetness: The sweetness can be adjusted to your liking. For a slightly less sweet version, you can swap half of the peach preserves for apricot jam or orange marmalade, which add a lovely citrus edge .
Add a Little Heat: If you like gentle heat, choose a spicier chili sauce or stir a pinch of red pepper flakes into the sauce .
Serving Suggestions
This flavorful chicken is delicious served directly from the baking dish, with plenty of sauce spooned over each portion . For a complete meal, consider pairing it with:
