Marry Me Chicken Soup: A Cozy, Creamy Soul-Warming Bowl Recipe
Marry Me Chicken Soup is a comforting and creamy Italian-inspired soup that combines tender rotisserie chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, and spinach in a flavorful tomato-cream broth. This hearty bowl of goodness is perfect for chilly days or when you need a warm hug in a bowl.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 36 minutes
- Total Time: 46 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (julienne-cut, packed in oil with herbs)
- 1 tbsp oil from sun-dried tomato jar
- 1 ½ cups chopped yellow onion
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 32 oz or 2 packages chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 4 tsp fresh basil (plus more for garnish)
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 ½ tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper (or more if you like heat)
Pasta & Greens
- 8 oz uncooked medium shell pasta
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
Chicken & Cheese
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 8 oz cream cheese, cubed (room temperature)
- 1 ½ oz Parmesan cheese, finely shredded (plus more for garnish)
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat 1 tablespoon of the sun-dried tomato oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic, cooking them for 3-4 minutes until they become soft and fragrant, forming the flavor base.
- Build the Base: Stir in the tomato paste and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, to intensify the tomato paste’s color and flavor.
- Simmer the Broth: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, then add fresh basil, kosher salt, dried Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Let it simmer for 12 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the uncooked medium shell pasta to the pot, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for 12 minutes while stirring occasionally until the pasta is tender and cooked through.
- Make It Creamy & Delicious: Lower the heat to low and stir in the roughly chopped spinach, shredded rotisserie chicken, cubed cream cheese, and finely shredded Parmesan. Stir frequently for 5 minutes until the cheeses melt smoothly and the chicken is heated through.
- Serve & Enjoy: Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with extra Parmesan cheese, fresh basil leaves, and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes for added heat. Serve immediately with crusty bread or a fresh green salad on the side for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for convenience and added flavor, but leftover cooked chicken works well too.
- If you prefer a spicier soup, increase the crushed red pepper to taste.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, though this may reduce the creaminess.
- Swap medium shell pasta with other bite-sized pasta like orzo or small elbow macaroni if desired.
- Sun-dried tomato oil adds great flavor, but if unavailable, use olive oil as a substitute.
- Leftovers can be refrigerate for up to 3 days and reheat gently on stovetop to prevent curdling.
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken Soup, Creamy Chicken Soup, Sun-dried Tomato Soup, Comfort Food, Italian Chicken Soup, Rotisserie Chicken Soup
