Marry Me Chicken Soup – A Hug in a Bowl Recipe
Marry Me Chicken Soup is a rich, creamy, and flavorful soup that combines sun-dried tomatoes, tender rotisserie chicken, fresh spinach, and pasta in a savory tomato and cream broth. It’s a comforting bowl-perfect meal that feels like a warm hug and promises to deliver deliciousness in every spoonful.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 36 minutes
- Total Time: 46 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Components:
- 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
Flavor Boosters:
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 32 oz (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)
The Good Stuff:
- 8 oz uncooked medium shell pasta
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
- 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 sun-dried tomato oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic, cooking for 3 to 4 minutes until they are softened and fragrant, which builds a flavorful base for the soup.
- Build the Base: Stir in the tomato paste and sun-dried tomatoes. Continue cooking and stirring constantly for 2 minutes until the tomato paste deepens in color, enhancing the soup’s rich flavor.
- Simmer the Broth: Pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, fresh basil, kosher salt, dried Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally, then let it simmer for 12 minutes to meld all the flavors together.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the medium shell pasta to the pot and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook for about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender but not mushy, perfectly balancing texture in the soup.
- Make It Creamy & Delicious: Lower the heat to low, then stir in the chopped fresh spinach, shredded rotisserie chicken, cubed room temperature cream cheese, and shredded Parmesan cheese. Stir frequently for 5 minutes until the cheeses have melted smoothly and the chicken is warmed through, creating a creamy, luscious consistency.
- Serve & Enjoy: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese, fresh basil leaves, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately, optionally accompanied by crusty bread or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- Control the Heat: Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper according to your spice tolerance to customize the heat level.
- Cream Cheese Hack: Use room temperature cream cheese so it melts easily. If clumping occurs, press it against the pot’s side to help it blend smoothly.
- Switch Up the Pasta: You can substitute medium shell pasta with orecchiette, ditalini, or orzo; just adjust the cooking time as per the package instructions.
- Serving Suggestions: Pair the soup with garlic bread to soak up the creamy broth, a fresh green salad for contrast, or a glass of white wine to elevate the meal.
- Storage & Reheating: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of broth if the soup thickens excessively.
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken Soup, creamy chicken soup, sun-dried tomato soup, chicken pasta soup, comfort food, creamy chicken pasta soup
