Coconut-Citrus Marry Me Chicken
Tender chicken breasts bathed in a vibrant coconut milk sauce infused with zesty citrus, sun-dried tomatoes, and briny capers for a bright, elegant dinner. This american-inspired chicken (dairy-free) ready in about 30 minutes pairs avocado oil, minced garlic cloves, packed, oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 382 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 4 (6 oz each), trimmed boneless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup, packed, oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
- 2 tbsp, drained capers
- 1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides with 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering (about 1 minute), then add chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F), transferring to a plate.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to medium, add 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, then stir in 1/4 cup packed sun-dried tomatoes and 2 tbsp drained capers, cooking for 1 minute until tomatoes soften.
- Step 4: Pour in 1 can full-fat coconut milk and add 1 tsp lemon zest, stirring to combine; bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 5: Return chicken to the skillet, spooning sauce over the top, and simmer for 3 more minutes until chicken is heated through and sauce coats the back of a spoon.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Coconut-Citrus Marry Me Chicken take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Coconut-Citrus Marry Me Chicken?
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 Coconut-Citrus Marry Me Chicken?
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 Coconut-Citrus Marry Me Chicken for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Coconut-Citrus Marry Me Chicken dairy-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged dairy-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
