Need a hearty, truly mouthwatering, dairy-free chicken dinner recipe the whole family will love? Try my one-pan Creamy Dairy Free Marry Me Chicken Thighs

This post was originally published on November 9, 2017. It has since been re-tested several times over the years, and was updated with all new photos, updated recipe, and more helpful information and republished most recently on December 30, 2024.

pan with dairy free marry me chicken thighs in a rich mushroom sun-dried tomato sauce.
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If you’re looking for a cozy, comforting meal to warm up on a chilly night, this Dairy Free Marry Me Chicken recipe is it!

I developed this dairy free Tuscan chicken recipe several years ago when I first found out I had a milk protein intolerance. I longed for rich, creamy, velvety sauces and protein rich dishes, and this was one of the first dairy-free recipes I developed that my family enthusiastically gave their seal of approval.

Since then, we’ve made it dozens of times, and I’ve recently updated the recipe with new photos to give it the glow up it deserved. And to give you more cooking tips to help you make this delicious chicken dinner for your own family.

I hope you love it as much as we do!

Jump to:

❤️ Why you’ll love this recipe

pan with dairy free marry me chicken thighs in a rich mushroom sun-dried tomato sauce with a side of rice.

As a busy full-time working mom, I love sharing recipes here that are quick, easy, family-friendly, AND super tasty. I know how challenging it can be to get a home-cooked meal on the table, especially on busy weeknights!

This dairy free chicken recipe is IT, my friends. I can’t tell you how much I love this dish! It’s the perfect comfort food at the end of a long, stressful, chilly fall or winter day.

Reasons you’ll love this dairy free Marry Me chicken recipe too:

  • Dairy free goodness– It has healthier, dairy-free sauce, but it tastes so rich and creamy, you won’t miss any of the fat that most cream sauces contain.
  • Less time in the kitchen – You can make this in under an hour, making it great for weeknight family dinners.
  • Inexpensive – It’s made with chicken thighs, which are protein-packed and tender, but also inexpensive than other cuts of meat.
  • Great leftovers – I love chopping up the leftover chicken from this recipe and any leftover sauce and enjoying it the next day over pasta.
pan with dairy free marry me chicken thighs in a rich mushroom sun-dried tomato sauce.

🍗 Ingredient notes

ingredients to make dairy free Marry Me chicken thighs.

You can make this hearty family dinner in under one hour using pantry, fridge, and freezer-friendly simple ingredients that are easy to find in any local grocery store.

  • Chicken – I use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs because I love the rich flavor this cut adds to the dish. But you can substitute boneless chicken thighs or tender chicken breasts if you prefer. Check the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for cooking time adjustments if you use a different cut of meat.
  • Coconut milk – Use full-fat or low-fat canned coconut milk. Thai Kitchen organic coconut milk is my favorite to use in dishes where I want a creamy texture without the dairy. You can also use coconut cream if you want a really thick sauce.
  • Chicken stock or broth – You could use water instead but I prefer the added flavor you get from using chicken broth. Use our homemade Instant Pot chicken stock recipe or use your favorite store-bought chicken stock or chicken broth.
  • Sun-dried tomatoes – You’ll want to drain out the oil and give the sundried tomatoes a rough chop before using.
  • Mushrooms – Use fresh or frozen sliced mushrooms. I prefer baby bella (cremini) mushrooms, but you can use white button mushrooms instead.
  • Spinach – Use fresh or frozen spinach. If using frozen spinach, be sure to thaw it and squeeze out the excess liquid and pat the spinach dry before adding it to the pan. Otherwise, your sauce may end up too thin and liquidy.
  • Herbs and aromatics – I use minced fresh garlic, and a blend of fresh chopped thyme, rosemary, and sage. You can use oregano or a little bit of tarragon too if you like.
  • Salt and pepper – season the dish with kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste.

Optional:

  • Add nutritional yeast for vegan, dairy-free nutty flavor, similar to parmesan cheese.
  • Add fresh basil for a bright, herb flavor.

✅ Step-by-step instructions

Here are some step-by-step photos to help guide you as you cook this dinner. You’ll find a full list of ingredients with measurements, and more detailed instructions, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

  1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil then brown the chicken pieces on all sides until lightly golden brown.
  2. Remove the chicken from the skillet and transfer onto a plate. Set aside.

3. Add the garlic, mushrooms, and sun-dried tomatoes to the pan and sauté until they are slightly softened and the garlic is fragrant.

4. Add the spinach and herbs and sauté all together for a minute or two, until the spinach starts to wilt.

5. Add the chicken broth or chicken stock and slowly stir in the coconut milk to combine.

6. Lower to medium heat (or low-medium heat) and return the chicken to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally for another 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked. You’ll know chicken is done when a meat thermometer inserted into the chicken reads 165°F.

Recipe FAQs  

pan with dairy free marry me chicken thighs in a rich mushroom sun-dried tomato sauce.
What’s the best way to store leftovers?

Allow the chicken to cool down, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 or 4 days.

Can I use regular milk instead of coconut milk?

Yes! If you don’t need or don’t want to make a dairy free Marry Me Chicken version, you can easily substitute whole milk, heavy cream, 2% milk.

Why is this dish called Marry Me chicken?

According to the New York Times, Lindsay Funston, former editor at Delish in 2016, created a recipe video for a Tuscan-style chicken dish that attracted millions of views. When she was done cooking, Ms. Funston’s video producer took a bite and declared, “I’d marry you for that chicken!” She named the dish “Marry Me Chicken.”

Serving ideas

plate of dairy free marry me chicken thighs in a rich mushroom sun-dried tomato sauce with rosemary sprigs and side of rice.

We love serving these dairy free Tuscan Chicken thighs with Instant Pot Basmati Rice or Instant Pot Garlic Rice. It’s also delicious served over a bed of pasta.

For side dishes, consider adding a Broccoli Crunch Salad, Arugula and Pear Salad, or a simple Cucumber Tomato Salad.

If you want to add a side of vegetables, consider making Mushroom Marsala or Instant Pot Broccoli.

Wine pairings

plate of dairy free marry me chicken thighs in a rich mushroom sun-dried tomato sauce with rosemary sprigs and side of rice and glass of white wine.

You can serve this dairy-free Marry Me Chicken dish with either white wine or red wine. It’s very versatile!

  • For white wine: go for a lightly oaked Chardonnay or a Sauvignon Blanc.
  • For red wine: choose a light-bodied red wine such as a Pinot Noir or a Beaujolais.

More chicken recipes

Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken with Spinach and Mushroom Sauce (Dairy-Free)

5 from 21 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
This Chicken with Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato, Spinach, and Mushroom sauce is a delicious hearty family dinner!
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Ingredients 

  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 6 chicken thighs, see instructions for using other cuts of chicken
  • 2 Tablespoons minced garlic
  • 2 cups sliced mushrooms
  • ½ cup julienned sun-dried tomatoes, drained and roughly chopped
  • 2 cups spinach, de-stemmed
  • 1 tablespoon chopped sage
  • 2 teaspoons finely chopped rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped thyme
  • 1 cup chicken broth or chicken stock
  • 1 can (14.5 ounce) full-fat coconut milk

Instructions 

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken.
  • * If using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs: cook for 4-6 minutes each side, until the outside is a nice golden brown.* If using skinless, boneless chicken thighs: cook for 3-4 minutes each side, until the outside is a nice golden brown.
    * If using boneless, skinless chicken breasts: cook for 2-3 minutes each side, until the outside is a nice golden brown.
  • Remove chicken from the skillet and let rest on a plate.
  • Add garlic, mushrooms, and sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring regularly.
  • Add spinach, sage, rosemary, and thyme. Stir to combine.
  • Slowly add chicken broth and coconut milk to the skillet, stir, and bring to a low boil.
  • Reduce heat to low-medium and return the chicken to the skillet.
  • Cook on the stove for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, just until the chicken is cooked through.

Video

Notes

Makes 4-6 servings.
You can substitute heavy cream, half and half, or whole milk for the coconut milk, if you prefer.
You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of thighs. You will need to adjust the cooking time slightly as they cook a little faster than bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, so watch the chicken breasts carefully for doneness when cooking. 

Nutrition

Calories: 330kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 21g, Fat: 24g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 112mg, Sodium: 297mg, Potassium: 730mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 1391IU, Vitamin C: 8mg, Calcium: 45mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe?Please leave a star rating and comment! Then snap a pic of your dish and share it on social media. Tag @UrbanBlissLife and #UrbanBlissLife!

This post was originally published on November 9, 2017. It has since been re-tested several times over the years, and was updated with all new photos, updated recipe, and more helpful information and republished most recently on December 30, 2024.

Marlynn Jayme Schotland 2021 profile pic

About Marlynn

I'm a cookbook author, recipe developer, photographer, WSET 2 Certified wine pro, mom of two, and dog lover. I'm here to help you with fast, easy, and delicious recipes, food & wine pairings, cooking & baking tips, plus food and wine travel guides.

5 from 21 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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18 Comments

  1. Lynda robertson says:

    5 stars
    Really good recipe! Added twice the amount of spinach as it cooks down so much

  2. Joanie @ One Dish Kitchen says:

    5 stars
    What a great looking meal! I love the flavors and I know my family would love to see this on our dinner table!

    1. Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says:

      Thanks so much, Joanie! It’s a hit with my family! :)

  3. Jane Murguia says:

    5 stars
    That looks easy enough and very delicious! I want to try it!

    1. Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says:

      It really is fairly easy and fast to make and I love it! Thanks, Jane!

  4. Belle says:

    5 stars
    Yum! That looks really good! Will absolutely try this!

    Belle |One Awesome Momma

    1. Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says:

      Thank you! Let me know how you like it! :)

  5. Erin says:

    5 stars
    Oh my goodness – That SAUCE looks absolutely amazing!!! I cannot wait to give this recipe a try!

    1. Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says:

      Thanks so much for the nice comment, Erin! :)

  6. Eva says:

    5 stars
    This looks delicious! I’m always looking for more dishes with sundried tomatoes.

    1. Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says:

      Me, too! I love sundried tomatoes. Thanks, Eva! :)

  7. Ilene says:

    5 stars
    Looks so amazing – will try this one soon. How did you do the amazing job on the recipe? I love how it looks on the blog. Would love for you to share your secret. Great site!!

  8. Ashley Stephenson says:

    5 stars
    I am a pretty picky eater but this is delicious!

    1. Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says:

      Thank you, Ashley! :)

  9. Michelle says:

    5 stars
    This looks so good, I can’t wait to make it

    1. Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says:

      Let me know how you like it! :)

  10. Melissa Chee says:

    5 stars
    This looks absolutely delicious!!! What a great meal. I know my family would love it.

    1. Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says:

      Thanks so much, Melissa! :)