Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe

Nothing says comfort like a warm bowl of Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe. This creamy, flavorful soup blends tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan, and fresh herbs into a dish that feels indulgent yet easy to prepare. With its rich broth and cozy texture, it’s the kind of recipe that can win hearts at first spoonful. Whether you’re cooking for family or planning a date-night meal, this soup brings both flavor and charm to the table. You’ll love how simple it is to create such a delicious bowl.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and easy: Ready in under an hour, with minimal prep.
• Everyday ingredients: Chicken, pasta, cream, and pantry herbs come together effortlessly.
• One-pot magic: Less cleanup means more time to enjoy the meal.
• Crowd-pleaser: Creamy, savory, and comforting flavors that everyone at the table will love.
• Restaurant-worthy finish: Sun-dried tomatoes and parmesan add a gourmet touch without extra work.

This soup stands out because it balances creamy richness with tangy tomato notes, creating a flavor that feels both indulgent and fresh. It’s hearty enough for dinner yet elegant enough to impress guests.

Ingredients Needed

For the Soup Base

• 1 tablespoon oil from sun-dried tomato jar (adds depth)
• 1 ½ cups chopped yellow onion (about 1 medium onion)
• 4 garlic cloves, minced (fresh for best flavor)
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste (for richness)
• 2 cartons (32 ounces each) chicken broth

For the Creamy Finish

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream (for silky texture)
• 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed, at room temperature (adds body and tang)
• 1 ½ ounces Parmesan cheese, finely shredded, plus more for garnish

For the Flavor Boost

• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil with herbs
• 4 teaspoons chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 ½ teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper, plus extra to taste

For the Hearty Add-Ins

• 8 ounces uncooked medium shell pasta
• 3 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
• 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken

Notes & Substitutions

• Chicken: Swap rotisserie with cooked chicken breast or thighs.
• Dairy-free: Replace cream with coconut milk and cream cheese with dairy-free alternatives.
• Gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta or omit pasta and add extra veggies.
• Extra flavor: Stir in crispy bacon or top with fresh parsley.

How to Make Marry Me Chicken Soup

Before You Start

Use a large Dutch oven or soup pot to hold all the ingredients comfortably. Gather everything in advance, since the recipe moves quickly once you begin.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Sauté the aromatics: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil from the sun-dried tomato jar over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and sun-dried tomatoes, cooking until the paste darkens slightly. This builds a rich flavor base.
2. Create the broth: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Add basil, salt, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
3. Cook the pasta: Add the shell pasta. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente, about 10 minutes. Taste as you go to avoid overcooking.
4. Add the hearty mix-ins: Lower the heat to medium-low. Stir in spinach, shredded chicken, cubed cream cheese, and Parmesan. Keep stirring until the cheese melts smoothly and the chicken is heated through.
5. Finish and serve: Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed. Ladle into bowls and garnish with extra Parmesan, basil, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat. Serve warm.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Expert Tips

• Balance the heat: Add crushed red pepper sparingly, then adjust at the end to suit your spice preference.
• Cheese trick: Grate Parmesan fresh pre-shredded often clumps and doesn’t melt as smoothly.
• Creamy finish: Add cream cheese at room temperature for easier melting and a silkier texture, and see these creamy sauce tips for ultra-smooth results.
• Timing pasta: Cook pasta directly in the broth so it absorbs the flavor, but stir often to prevent sticking.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• K-State Research and Extension advises tempering dairy and avoiding boiling after adding it to soup, which helps prevent curdling.
• Oversalting: Parmesan adds saltiness, so taste before adding extra salt.
• Mushy pasta: Don’t walk away while pasta cooks — check a minute before package timing.

Quick Fixes

• Soup too thick? Add a splash of broth or warm water to thin it out.
• Soup split? Whisk in a little extra cream or milk over low heat to bring it back together.
• Too salty? Add a squeeze of lemon juice or stir in more spinach to balance.

Serving, Storage & Variations

Serving Ideas

• Pair with crusty bread, garlic knots, or cheesy breadstick bones to soak up the creamy broth.
• Add a crisp green salad like Sonoma Chicken Salad for balance.
• Garnish with extra basil, parmesan, or red pepper flakes.
• Serve in bread bowls for a fun and hearty option and sip natural mounjaro green tea on the side.

Storage Guidelines

According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, leftovers keep 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator and 3 to 4 months in the freezer, so store the soup in airtight containers and thaw in the fridge for safety.

Reheating Methods

• Stovetop: Warm slowly over medium-low heat, stirring often. Add a splash of broth or water if it thickens.
• Microwave: Reheat in short intervals, stirring between rounds to prevent hot spots.
• Tip: As K-State Research and Extension notes, temper dairy and keep the soup below a boil when reheating; adding cream or cheese after thawing supports a smooth texture.

Variations

• Dairy-free: Swap heavy cream for coconut milk and cream cheese for dairy-free alternatives.
• Gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta or replace pasta with zucchini noodles.
• Meatball twist: Try chicken meatballs instead of shredded chicken for a heartier bite.
• Spicy version: Add extra crushed red pepper or a spoon of Calabrian chili paste.
• Slow cooker/Instant Pot: Simmer on low for 4–6 hours or pressure cook for 10 minutes with a quick release.

Nutritional Information

Per Serving (based on original recipe)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	655
Protein	33 g
Total Fat	44 g
Saturated Fat	21 g
Carbohydrates	36 g
Fiber	3 g
Sugars	8 g
Sodium	2247 mg
Calcium	198 mg
Iron	3 mg
Potassium	825 mg
Vitamin C	19 mg

Ingredient Highlights

• Chicken: Rich in lean protein that keeps you satisfied.
• Sun-dried tomatoes: WebMD notes they are a strong source of lycopene, an antioxidant.
• Spinach: USDA FoodData Central lists spinach as a source of iron and potassium.
• Parmesan and cream: Provide calcium and a silky texture.

Tip: If you swap ingredients or adjust quantities, use a nutrition calculator like Cronometer or MyFitnessPal to recalculate values.

Conclusion

This Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe delivers everything you want in a comforting meal creamy, flavorful, and loaded with hearty goodness. The combination of tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and parmesan creates a dish that feels both cozy and special. It’s the perfect recipe to warm up a weeknight or impress someone you love with a homemade touch.

If you try this recipe, leave a comment and star rating below your feedback helps others too. Don’t forget to share it on Pinterest or Facebook so more people can enjoy it. What variation will you try first? We’d love to hear your twist in the comments!

Frequently Asked Questions