Roasted Pepper Marry Me Chicken

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. Step 2: Roast for 25 minutes until golden and cooked through, then transfer to a plate. Pour any accumulated juices into the skillet.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

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.

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