Marry Me Chicken Soup: Creamy, Irresistible Comfort Food Recipe
Introduction
Marry Me Chicken Soup is a creamy, comforting dish that’s bursting with flavor and easy to prepare. With tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach in a rich Parmesan-infused broth, it’s perfect for a cozy night in or to impress your loved ones.
Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed)
- Heavy cream
- Fresh garlic
- Yellow onion
- Chicken broth (low-sodium)
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- All-purpose flour
- Italian seasoning
- Fresh spinach
- Olive oil or butter
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Season the chicken with salt and black pepper. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and let cool, then shred or dice into bite-sized pieces.
- Step 2: Lower the heat to medium and add more oil or butter if needed. Cook the chopped onion until soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes, sauté for 2 minutes.
- Step 3: Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir continuously for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw taste.
- Step 4: Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Simmer until the mixture slightly thickens.
- Step 5: Return the chicken to the pot. Add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and pepper. Let simmer gently for 10-15 minutes.
- Step 6: Reduce heat to low. Slowly stir in heavy cream followed by grated Parmesan until melted and smooth.
- Step 7: Add fresh spinach and stir gently until wilted.
- Step 8: Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve hot and enjoy your creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup.
Tips & Variations
- For extra richness, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Swap fresh spinach for kale or Swiss chard for a different leafy green texture.
- Add a splash of white wine before the broth for a subtle depth of flavor.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, stir in an extra teaspoon of flour after sautéing the garlic and tomatoes.
Storage
Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. The soup may thicken upon cooling; add a splash of broth or water when reheating if needed.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use cooked chicken instead of raw?
Yes, cooked chicken can be added directly to the soup when you return the chicken to the pot. Adjust the simmering time accordingly to avoid overcooking.
Is it possible to make this soup dairy-free?
Absolutely. Substitute heavy cream with coconut cream or a cashew cream, and use a dairy-free Parmesan alternative or nutritional yeast for that cheesy flavor.
PrintMarry Me Chicken Soup: Creamy, Irresistible Comfort Food Recipe
Marry Me Chicken Soup is a creamy, comforting dish featuring tender shredded chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach in a rich, flavorful broth enhanced with Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. This delicious soup is perfect for cozy nights and guarantees irresistible flavor in every spoonful.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter (plus extra if needed)
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed, drained and chopped
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Liquids & Dairy
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings & Thickeners
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare and Sear Chicken: Season raw chicken breasts or thighs with salt and black pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter over medium-high heat in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot. Sear chicken 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and let cool, then shred or dice into bite-sized pieces.
- Sauté Aromatics: Lower heat to medium. Add another tablespoon of oil or butter if needed. Cook chopped yellow onion for 5-7 minutes until translucent, stirring occasionally. Add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes; sauté 2 more minutes until fragrant.
- Create Roux: Sprinkle all-purpose flour over the sautéed mixture. Stir continuously for 1-2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Gradually whisk in chicken broth to prevent lumps. Continue whisking until mixture is smooth and slightly thickened. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add Chicken and Seasonings: Return shredded chicken to pot. Stir in Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and black pepper. Let simmer gently for 10-15 minutes.
- Incorporate Cream and Cheese: Reduce heat to low. Slowly add heavy cream, stirring gently to combine. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Add Spinach: Stir fresh spinach into the soup until just wilted.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: Taste soup and adjust seasoning if needed. Ladle soup into bowls and serve immediately for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Use skinless chicken thighs for extra juiciness and flavor.
- Oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes add richness; drain well to avoid excess oil.
- Simmer gently to avoid curdling the cream.
- Red pepper flakes are optional for a touch of heat.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken Soup, creamy chicken soup, sun-dried tomato soup, comfort food soup, Parmesan chicken soup
