I made this Marry Me Chicken Soup on a weeknight when the fridge looked bare—and somehow, it tasted like I’d planned it for days. Creamy, cozy, and full of bold Tuscan flavor, it’s the kind of soup that gets “What’s in this?” reactions before the bowls are even empty. If you’re craving comfort with a side of wow, this recipe delivers.
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Why You’ll Love This Marry Me Chicken Soup
If you’ve tried the viral Marry Me Chicken, you already know the flavor hits different—this soup version carries that same rich, creamy, garlicky punch, but with a soul-warming broth and tender bites of pasta. It’s hearty without being heavy, and thanks to the spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, it feels just a little fancy. Whether you’re feeding a date or just yourself in sweatpants, it’s ready in under an hour and tastes like you cooked all day. Bonus: it makes a whopping 10 cups, so leftovers are locked and loaded.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This creamy Tuscan-inspired chicken soup uses simple pantry staples but still brings serious flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- Carrots, celery, and onion (classic mirepoix base)
- Garlic and Italian seasoning
- Sun-dried tomatoes (the secret to that deep umami flavor)
- Flour for thickening
- Tomato paste (optional for added richness)
- Chicken broth
- Small pasta like shells or ditalini
- Heavy cream and Parmesan Reggiano
- Fresh spinach
If you want to tweak things based on your pantry or diet, check out the swaps below.
Ingredient Notes & Swaps
No cream? Use half & half or even coconut milk—just know the thickness and flavor will vary. You can also sub rotisserie chicken to skip the browning step. Don’t have spinach? Kale works beautifully. For a gluten-free version, try rice or GF pasta. And if you’re skipping tomato paste, the broth stays white and creamy with no problem.
How to Make Marry Me Chicken Soup
This soup builds layers of flavor in just one pot—here’s how to do it:
- Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or large soup pot. Add diced chicken, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sauté 4–5 minutes until browned.
- Sauté the Veggies: Stir in onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook 3–4 minutes until soft and fragrant.
- Thicken with Flour: Sprinkle in flour and stir constantly to prevent clumps. Add tomato paste now if using.
- Add Broth & Pasta: Slowly whisk in 6–8 cups of broth. Bring to a rolling boil. Add pasta, the rest of the seasoning, more salt and pepper, and cover. Simmer 20 minutes.
- Finish with Cream & Spinach: Stir in cream, Parmesan, and spinach. Simmer another 5 minutes, until spinach wilts and soup is creamy.
- Taste & Adjust: Add more broth if needed for thinner consistency, or extra salt if your broth is low-sodium.
Pro Tips for Best Results
- For perfect pasta texture, cook it separately and stir it in just before serving.
- Add dairy and spinach at the end to keep them from breaking or wilting too much.
- Using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken saves time—just toss it in during the last 5 minutes.
Storage, Reheating & Freezing Tips
This soup keeps beautifully in the fridge for 3–4 days. Just reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth or water to thin it out. If freezing, skip the cream and pasta—add those fresh when reheating. Store in airtight containers, and always cool completely before refrigerating or freezing.
Flavor Variations & Add-ins
Want to turn this into something a little different next time? Try these twists:
- Add crisped bacon or pancetta for a smoky depth.
- Toss in Cajun seasoning or red pepper flakes for heat.
- Stir in mushrooms, kale, or even a handful of mozzarella cubes.
- A splash of white wine or lemon juice can brighten the flavor beautifully.
- Fresh herbs like basil or thyme? Always a good move.
FAQs
Yes! Use coconut milk or a dairy-free creamer in place of the heavy cream, and skip the Parmesan or use a dairy-free alternative.
Small shapes like ditalini, shells, or rotini work best. They soak up flavor without overpowering the broth.
Definitely. Just add it during the last 5 minutes of cooking to keep it from drying out.
Marry Me Chicken Soup
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
Creamy, cozy, and bold in flavor, this Marry Me Chicken Soup brings Tuscan vibes to your dinner bowl. Packed with chicken, pasta, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes, it’s a one-pot wonder that’s ready in under an hour and guaranteed to impress.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless chicken breasts or thighs, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 tbsp tomato paste (optional)
- 6–8 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup small pasta (like shells or ditalini)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan Reggiano
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced chicken, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until browned.
- Add onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Sprinkle in flour and stir constantly to combine. Stir in tomato paste if using.
- Gradually whisk in 6–8 cups of chicken broth. Bring to a boil.
- Add pasta, remaining seasoning, and adjust salt and pepper. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Stir in cream, Parmesan, and spinach. Simmer for another 5 minutes until spinach wilts and soup is creamy.
- Adjust thickness with more broth if needed. Taste and correct seasoning.
Notes
Cook pasta separately if storing for leftovers. Add cream and spinach at the end to preserve texture. Rotisserie chicken works well—just add during the last 5 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tuscan-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Final thoughts
If this one warmed your soul, you’ll love these too:
Try this hearty potato soup—a cozy comfort food favorite perfect for chilly days. Or check out this creamy sausage soup, loaded with cheese and savory sausage. For something bright and bold, this Sinigang soup is a tangy Filipino classic packed with vegetables and flavor.
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