Description
Marry Me Chicken Soup is a delightful twist on the classic “Marry Me Chicken” dish, transforming it into a comforting and hearty soup. This creamy soup combines tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and pasta in a rich, flavorful broth that’s sure to impress. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner and might just become a new favorite in your household.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 8 ounces uncooked medium shell pasta
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. - Incorporate Tomato Elements
Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 2 minutes until the tomato paste deepens in color. - Add Broth and Seasonings
Pour in the chicken broth, then add the dried Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine. - Cook the Pasta
Bring the mixture to a boil. Add the uncooked pasta shells and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. - Introduce Chicken and Cream
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the shredded cooked chicken, heavy cream, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese has melted and the soup is creamy. - Add Spinach
Stir in the chopped fresh spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted. - Season and Serve
Taste the soup and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh basil if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- Rotisserie Chicken Shortcut: For convenience, use store-bought rotisserie chicken. Add it towards the end to prevent overcooking.
- Pasta Alternatives: Feel free to substitute medium shell pasta with other small pasta shapes like ditalini or orecchiette.
- Cream Cheese Addition: For extra creaminess, consider adding 8 ounces of softened cream cheese along with the heavy cream and Parmesan. Ensure it’s fully melted and incorporated.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth if needed to adjust the consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1.5 cups
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 11mg