20-Minute One-Pan Marry Me Chicken with Herbs
A lightning-fast, aromatic dish featuring garlic, herbs, and sun-dried tomatoes in a creamy coconut sauce—ready before you can say 'Whole30 dinner'. This mediterranean-inspired chicken (whole30) ready in about 28 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken tenders, avocado oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz boneless skinless chicken tenders
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 1/2 tbsp, finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 3/4 cup full-fat coconut milk
- 1 tsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels and season evenly with 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until hot, then add chicken and cook for 3 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Step 2: Remove chicken and set aside. Add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant and tomatoes soften.
- Step 3: Pour in coconut milk, chopped thyme, and 1/4 cup water, bringing to a gentle simmer. Cook for 3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 4: Return chicken to skillet, spooning sauce over top, and simmer for 2 minutes until chicken is heated through. Stir in chopped basil and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does 20-Minute One-Pan Marry Me Chicken with Herbs take to make?
Total time is about 28 minutes (8 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover 20-Minute One-Pan Marry Me Chicken with Herbs?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep avocado oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in 20-Minute One-Pan Marry Me Chicken with Herbs?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale 20-Minute One-Pan Marry Me Chicken with Herbs for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is 20-Minute One-Pan Marry Me Chicken with Herbs whole30?
Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30 based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made exactly as written. Wouldn't change a thing.
- ★★★★★
I've tried many chicken recipes and this is hands down the best.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
