Marry Me Chicken

Blog by Laura Hearn, CNE in The Clear Skin Solution + Recipe by Katie Stewart, RHN

Are you ready to say ‘I do’ to glowing skin? In the culinary world, the classic Marry Me Chicken has long been a heart-stealer with its rich, indulgent flavors; a love affair for the palate that, while winning over hearts, could play havoc on your skin. But why should we sacrifice the love of our skin for a fleeting taste? Fear not, for our reimagined version is a love story that doesn’t compromise your skin’s happiness, ensuring that every bite is a vow to your health with skin-loving ingredients.

Onion and Garlic: The Power Couple

Onions

Rich in quercetin, an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties, onions help combat oxidative stress and promote a radiant complexion. Plus, their sulfur content supports collagen production, keeping your skin supple and youthful. 

Garlic

With its potent anti-inflammatory compound allicin, garlic is the equivalent of a love letter to your immune system. Plus, garlic supports a healthy gut, and we all know that gut health and skin health go hand in hand.

Protein: Our Knight in Shining Armour

Protein is required for the repair and regeneration of skin cells. It also plays a crucial role in the production of collagen and elastin, which are vital for skin’s structure and elasticity.

Additionally, protein-rich foods help stabilize blood sugar levels by slowing down glucose absorption, preventing energy crashes, and hormonal imbalances that can trigger breakouts.

Dairy Free Devotion

Conventional dairy can often be a culprit in aggravating acne due to its inflammatory properties and the presence of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which is linked to causing breakouts. By opting for dairy-free alternatives like coconut milk and nutritional yeast in this recipe, we’re not only avoiding potential triggers for breakouts but also providing our skin with nourishing ingredients. 

Coconut milk

Contains lauric acid which combats acne-causing bacteria and reduces inflammation, while its rich content of vitamins C and E provides antioxidant support for skin healing and protection against oxidative stress.

Nutritional Yeast

Rich in essential B vitamins and complete proteins, supports overall health and skin vitality by promoting energy metabolism, tissue repair, and immune function. 

Antioxidants: The Romantic Duo

Antioxidants are vital for skin health as they shield skin cells from oxidative stress caused by free radicals, thus preventing inflammation and supporting a radiant complexion. By neutralizing harmful molecules, antioxidants can contribute to overall skin protection and promote a healthy complexion.

Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Loaded with flavour but also lycopene, a potent antioxidant that shields your skin from UV damage.

Basil and Parsley

Rich sources of antioxidants including vitamins A, C, and E, as well as flavonoids and polyphenols, these herbs are like a proposal to your senses and a pledge to support skin health.

Now, it’s time for you to experience this culinary romance for yourself. Ready to tie the knot with simplicity and glowing skin? This Marry Me Chicken recipe is a perfect match!

Marry Me Chicken

This delicious dairy-free Marry Me Chicken recipe is packed with antioxidants and skin-loving ingredients including onions, garlic, and herbs.

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Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 2 large chicken breasts (boneless and skinless, sliced into cutlets)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• Avocado oil (for cooking)

For the Sauce:

• Avocado oil (for cooking)
• 1 onion (diced)
• 2 cups Cremini mushrooms (sliced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tbsp arrowroot starch
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup full-fat coconut milk
• ½ cup nutritional yeast
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• ⅓ cup sundried tomatoes (chopped)
• 1 tbsp fresh basil leaves (chopped)
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken:

• Season the chicken cutlets with salt and pepper.
• Warm a generous drizzle of avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add the chicken and cook in the centre until golden and no longer pink, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Sauté the Veggies:

• Add more avocado oil in the same skillet if needed.
• Add the diced onion and sliced mushrooms, sautéing until they're soft and the onions are translucent (about 5 minutes).
• Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Create the Sauce:

• Sprinkle the arrowroot starch over the sautéed onion and mushrooms. Stir to coat the veggies evenly.
• Gradually pour in the chicken broth, stirring constantly to prevent any lumps.
• Add the coconut milk, nutritional yeast, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning.
• Bring the mixture to a simmer, letting it thicken slightly (about 5 minutes).

Combine and Simmer:

• Return the chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the sauce.
• Add the sundried tomatoes. Reduce the heat to low and simmer everything together for about 10 minutes to let the flavours meld and the chicken to soak up the sauce.

Final Touches:

• Just before serving, stir in the chopped basil and parsley. Adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.

Notes

• Serve this dish over rice, gluten-free pasta, or our Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Mash