Easy Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe
Melena
This Marry Me Chicken Soup recipe takes the viral classic and transforms it into a creamy, cozy one-pot meal. With tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan, and spinach in a silky broth, it’s hearty, flavorful, and perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 28 minutes mins
Total Time 40 minutes mins
- Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 1 small onion diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained & chopped
- 6 cups chicken broth low-sodium if preferred
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half for lighter
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 –2 cups fresh spinach or kale
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional Add-Ins:
- 1 cup short pasta orzo, rotini, ditalini or rice
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes for heat
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water for extra thickness
- Garnishes:
- Fresh basil or parsley
- Extra Parmesan
- Cracked black pepper
Sear Chicken:
Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat oil or butter in a large pot. Sear chicken until golden brown, then set aside.
Build Base:
In the same pot, sauté onion and garlic until fragrant. Add sun-dried tomatoes and stir. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits.
Simmer Chicken:
Return chicken to pot. Simmer until cooked through and tender. Remove, shred with two forks, and return to soup.
Make Creamy:
Lower heat. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan. Mix until soup is smooth and creamy (avoid boiling).
Add Final Touches:
Stir in spinach or kale until wilted. Add pasta or rice if desired, cooking until tender. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Serve:
Ladle into bowls. Garnish with fresh basil, parsley, extra Parmesan, and black pepper. Serve with bread or salad.
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Use chicken thighs for juicier meat.
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Cook pasta separately if making ahead (to prevent sogginess).
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For dairy-free, use coconut milk + nutritional yeast instead of cream & Parmesan.
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To freeze: leave out pasta, then add fresh when reheating.
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Slow cooker: 6 hrs on low, stir in cream & Parmesan at the end.