Whole30 Marry Me Chicken

Posted on January 30, 2026

The Best Whole30 Marry Me Chicken Recipe – Comfort Food Magic!

Ever had one of those days? You know, the kind that starts with your coffee splattering on your favorite shirt and ends with a traffic jam that adds an extra hour to your commute? Yeah, I’ve been there too. But you know what? When I finally step into my kitchen, wearing a slightly crumpled shirt and a hint of chaos in my hair, I find solace in cooking. There’s something magical about bringing together simple ingredients to create a dish that warms your heart and soul.

One of my go-to recipes for those kinds of evenings is Whole30 Marry Me Chicken. The first time I made it, I was a totally rookie cook — swathed in olive oil and joyfully splashing coconut cream everywhere. My kitchen looked like a scene from a cooking show gone wrong, but this dish saved the day. The aroma of garlic and sun-dried tomatoes wafting through my home was intoxicating, and I thought, “Yep, this is what love smells like.”

I mean, who doesn’t love a dish that pairs easily with a cozy sweater and a movie night? It feels like a big warm hug on a plate; every bite is pure comfort, reminding me of simpler times spent around the dinner table with family. Plus, let’s face it, no one ever complained about having leftovers. They make the perfect easy weeknight dinners packed with flavor and high protein meals without the guilt!

So, why is this recipe so special to me? Well, aside from its deliciousness, it has a way of bringing everyone to the table — even my picky eaters, who generally side-eye anything green. There’s just something about that creamy sauce and tender chicken that feels like home.

Ready to dive into this culinary adventure? Let’s do this!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy Peasy: You can whip this up in about 30-40 minutes. Seriously, easy weeknight dinners don’t get better than this!
Comfort Food Nirvana: The rich, creamy sauce feels like a warm embrace — perfect for chilly nights.
Leftover Love: Make a big batch and enjoy this healthy comfort food for lunch the next day. It tastes just as amazing reheated!
Family Approved: Picky eaters will become advocates when they experience the magic of Marry Me Chicken. Who knew healthy eating could taste so good?
Meal Prep Win: This dish is the star of any meal prep plan, fitting right in with your high protein meal routines and ready-made meals for two!
Versatile Base: Serve it over cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, or simply on its own. The possibilities are endless!

What Makes This Recipe Special?

A big part of what makes this dish shine is the combination of the rich coconut cream with zesty sun-dried tomatoes and flavorful nutritional yeast. As I stirred the sauce for the first time, I had a moment of pure glee when I realized it was thickening up beautifully; my taste buds were already doing a happy dance at the thought of that first bite.

Plus, I have to rave about the nutritional yeast. Honestly, who would have thought that such a simple ingredient could pack such a punch of flavor? It gives the sauce a cheesiness without any dairy — which is a total win for Whole30 followers. And the basil? Oh, let’s not get me started! It elevates everything into a fresh garden celebration.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need for your Whole30 Marry Me Chicken:

2 tablespoons olive oil (or avocado oil): The base for sautéing the chicken, giving it that gorgeous golden brown color.
1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast (cut into 1" cubes): The star of the show, high in protein and just so good!
2 teaspoons garlic salt (or salt, divided): To season the chicken; garlic salt makes everything better.
1/2 teaspoon black pepper: For a hint of spice.
1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic: Because more garlic is a good thing, right?
1 13.66-ounce can full-fat unsweetened canned coconut cream (chilled; solid part only): This gives the dish its creamy goodness.
1 cup chicken broth: For depth of flavor; I love a good quality organic brand.
1/4 cup nutritional yeast: Adds a cheesy flavor without dairy—my secret ingredient!
1 teaspoon dried oregano: Because I can’t resist a little herby goodness!
1-2 tablespoons arrowroot or potato starch: This is your thickener, but don’t overdo it.
1 8-ounce jar sun-dried tomatoes (drained, blotted dry, and chopped (about a 1/3 cup chopped)): Sweet and tangy, and they add that gorgeous color.
0.5 ounces fresh basil (Optional but recommended): Fresh herbs make everything taste better!

Pro Tip: Don’t be tempted to skip the sun-dried tomatoes; they add an essential depth of flavor! And as for the coconut cream, the solid part is key — trust me, the liquid is great for smoothies but kinda doesn’t fit here — oops!

How to Make It Step-by-Step

Okay, let’s get cumin and cocoa. (Okay, maybe just one ‘C’ word at a time.) So, here we go — my precious Marry Me Chicken journey!

First, let’s warm things up. Grab your favorite large skillet (remember the one that’s a bit battered but has seen better days? Yeah, that one!). Over medium heat, add the olive oil (or avocado oil, but I hear they’re practically cousins). Wait until it’s sizzling, and whisper sweet nothings to it, telling it how much you love cooking with it.
Time for the chicken! Toss in those beautiful cubes of boneless skinless chicken breast. Make sure to sprinkle them with 1 teaspoon of salt and the black pepper. As you hear the chicken sizzle, smile — it’s like a tiny orchestra warming up for the main event. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until they’re golden brown and staged for the big show.
Add the garlic! In the last minute of cooking, throw in that minced garlic. I mean, who doesn’t enjoy an irresistible garlic aroma wafting through the house? It’s basically food magic!
While that’s happening, let’s conjure the sauce. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, nutritional yeast, dried oregano, the other teaspoon of salt, and just 1 tablespoon of your starch. This part feels like creating your own potion, and I can’t tell you how rewarding it is when it comes together.
Now, it’s tomato time. Drain and blot your sun-dried tomatoes, then chop them up. You know your family best — if they’re a bit picky about big chunks, go wild with the chopping! (Just remember, less oil on the tomatoes equals a less oily final dish.)
Back to the chicken! Once it’s beaten and browned beautifully, add the sun-dried tomatoes to the pan. Give it a good stir, and watch as the little gems get incorporated into the glorious chicken medley.
Let the coconut cream shine! Now, scoop out only the white solid part from your chilled coconut cream. Mix it into the pan and watch it melt like magic. (Seriously, it’s like having a cooking show moment at home.)
Pour in your chicken broth mixture. Bring this beautiful concoction to a boil, then gently lower the heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes or so until it thickens to your desired consistency. Adjust the thickness with more starch or broth as needed.
Taste test! At this point, you should really give it a taste. A little more salt? Sure! Who doesn’t love a tad more seasoning? You want every bite to sing!
Serve it up. Dish your Marry Me Chicken over a bed of steamed cauliflower rice or alongside your favorite veggies. This is comfort food at its finest — and honestly, it pairs perfection with a rom-com.

Seriously, every step of this process is aromatic chaos and joyful creation. There may be a bit of flour or a splatter of something on your counter, but hey, that’s the thrill of cooking, right?

Tips for Best Results

Don’t rush your chicken. Searing it properly gives you those flavorful bites you crave.
If you find the sauce too thin, remember: a little goes a long way! Don’t dump in heaps of starch at once; start small and adjust.
Feel free to swap in veggies like spinach or bell peppers for an extra serving of greens.

Ingredient Substitutions & Variations

Are you looking to shake things up a bit? Here are a few ideas to consider:

Chicken Alternatives: If you’re not in the mood for chicken, you could absolutely use shrimp or even tofu (if you love exploring plant-based options).
Coconut-Free: Swap in a different dairy-free cream, like cashew cream if that works better for your taste.
Herbs Galore: Instead of oregano, you could use thyme or a zesty Italian herb blend to keep things fresh.

Directions

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken cubes, sprinkling with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Cook until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring, for another minute.
In a medium bowl, whisk together chicken broth, nutritional yeast, oregano, remaining salt, and 1 tablespoon of starch.
Drain, blot, and chop the sun-dried tomatoes. Add them to the skillet.
Scoop out only the solid part of the coconut cream and add it to the pan, stirring until melted. Then pour in the chicken broth mixture.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring, until thickened, about 5 minutes.
Adjust consistency as necessary and add salt to taste before serving over your favorite sides.

Pairing Ideas (Drinks, Sides, etc.)

To elevate your Marry Me experience:

Drink: A refreshing sparkling water with fresh lemon is a light companion to the richness of the dish.
Sides: Steamed broccoli or sautéed zucchini with a sprinkle of salt add that extra crunch we all crave.
Desserts: If you have room, a light fruit sorbet would perfectly cut through the creaminess — your taste buds will thank you!

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Honestly, this dish tastes just as amazing the next day, if not better! Here’s how to keep it fresh:

Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. (Though, between you and me, it rarely lasts that long!)
Reheat: Microwaving in 30-second intervals works great. Just add a splash of chicken broth if it thickens too much.

Make-Ahead and Freezer Tips

Thinking about meal prep? I’d recommend making this ahead of time! Here’s how:

Make-Ahead: You can cook the chicken and the sauce separately ahead of time. Just store them in airtight containers until ready to serve.
Freezer Tips: This dish freezes nicely, too! Portion out your chicken and sauce in freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Trust me, I’ve learned the hard way:

Don’t skip the step of blotting the sun-dried tomatoes; they can make the dish oily.
Adding too much starch at once can lead to gluey sauce. Take it slow!
Lastly, overcooking the chicken can make it tough. Chicken should always be tender and juicy!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of sun-dried tomatoes?
While fresh tomatoes have their allure, they lack the concentrated flavor of sun-dried. You can use them in a pinch but consider reducing the amount of broth to compensate for extra moisture.

2. Is there a vegetarian version of this recipe?
Absolutely! Substitute the chicken with firm tofu or chickpeas, and you’re golden.

3. What should I do if my sauce is too thick?
Simply stir in some additional chicken broth or coconut cream to thin it out until you reach your desired consistency.

Cooking Tools You’ll Need

Large Skillet: Your foundation for all that delicious simmering.
Whisk: For combining those lovely sauce ingredients smoothly.
Bowl: For mixing; trust me, you’ll want it spacious.
Chopping Board and Knife: For all that chopping action — let’s keep it safe!

Final Thoughts

There you have it — my recipe for Whole30 Marry Me Chicken, full of family warmth, aromatic chaos, and a hint of love. This dish isn’t just about food; it’s about the memories you create around the table and the wonderful conversation that often follows.

I’ll admit, there’s something a little extra special about cooking from the heart. It inspires me to try new combinations and see where those culinary adventures lead. I’d love to hear how you made this recipe your own, and what little tweaks turned this dish into a household favorite!

If you enjoyed this recipe, don’t forget to save it on Pinterest or share it with a friend! Let’s spread the love of cooking together!