Roasted Pepper Marry Me Chicken
A colorful twist on the classic with sweet roasted bell peppers and smoky paprika in a coconut cream sauce, perfect for pairing with steamed greens. This mediterranean-inspired chicken (dairy-free, whole30) ready in about 40 minutes pairs (bone-in, skin-on) chicken thighs, olive oil, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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 (bone-in, skin-on) chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 (roasted, diced) red bell peppers
- 2 tbsp (packed) sun-dried tomatoes
- 3/4 cup coconut milk
- 3 (minced) garlic cloves
- 1 tsp (chopped) fresh thyme
- 3/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Pat chicken thighs dry and rub with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp sea salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Arrange skin-side up on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Step 2: Roast for 25 minutes until golden and cooked through, then transfer to a plate. Pour any accumulated juices into the skillet.
- Step 3: Heat the same skillet over medium heat, add 3 minced garlic cloves, and cook for 1 minute until aromatic. Stir in 2 tbsp sun-dried tomatoes and 1/2 cup diced roasted bell peppers, sautéing for 2 minutes.
- Step 4: Pour in 3/4 cup coconut milk and bring to a gentle simmer, scraping up browned bits. Add 1 tsp chopped thyme and 1/4 tsp black pepper, cooking for 5 minutes until sauce reduces slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 5: Return chicken to the pan, spooning sauce over the top. Simmer for 3 minutes until chicken is heated through and sauce is glossy.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Roasted Pepper Marry Me Chicken take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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 Roasted Pepper 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Roasted Pepper 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 Roasted Pepper 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 Roasted Pepper Marry Me Chicken dairy-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged dairy-free, 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
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.