Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe
Introduction
This Marry Me Chicken Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken, gnocchi, and sun-dried tomatoes in a creamy broth. It’s perfect for cozy nights when you want something hearty yet easy to prepare.

Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp oil from sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 onion (1½ cup, 270g, diced)
- 1 Tbsp garlic (minced)
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper (freshly cracked)
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil (35g, chopped)
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 6 cups chicken broth (48 oz.)
- 16 oz gnocchi (shelf stable)
- ¾ cup half-and-half (6 oz.)
- ⅓ cup Parmesan (grated, 30g)
- 1 cup frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed dry, 30g)
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat the sun-dried tomato oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing for about 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in the tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the tomato paste darkens and caramelizes, coating all ingredients.
- Step 3: Nestle the whole chicken breasts into the pot and pour in the chicken broth.
- Step 4: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Step 5: Remove the chicken breasts, shred them carefully with two forks, and return the shredded chicken to the pot.
- Step 6: Stir in the gnocchi and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the gnocchi float and are tender.
- Step 7: Add the half-and-half, grated Parmesan, and squeezed-dry spinach. Heat through gently without bringing the soup back to a boil.
- Step 8: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan or fresh basil if desired.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, use homemade chicken broth or a high-quality store-bought version.
- Swap spinach for kale or Swiss chard for a different leafy green texture.
- To make it spicier, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce.
- You can substitute gnocchi with small pasta shapes like orecchiette or mini shells if preferred.
Storage
Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to prevent the half-and-half from curdling. For longer storage, freeze without the half-and-half and add it when reheating.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs work well and may add extra juiciness and flavor. Adjust cooking time slightly until the thighs reach 165°F internally.
Is there a dairy-free option for this soup?
Absolutely. Substitute the half-and-half with coconut milk or another dairy-free creamer, and use a dairy-free Parmesan alternative or nutritional yeast to keep it creamy and cheesy.
Print
Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Marry Me Chicken Soup is a creamy, comforting dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a flavorful broth infused with sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and garlic. It’s enriched with gnocchi for a delightful texture, finished with half-and-half, Parmesan cheese, and spinach for added richness and nutrition. Perfect for a cozy meal, it combines rustic Italian flavors in a simple, one-pot recipe.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp oil from sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 onion (1½ cup, 270g, diced)
- 1 Tbsp garlic (minced)
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper (freshly cracked)
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil (35g, chopped)
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 6 cups chicken broth (48 oz.)
- 16 oz. gnocchi (shelf stable)
- ¾ cup half-and-half (6 oz.)
- ⅓ cup Parmesan (grated, 30g)
- 1 cup frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed dry, 30g)
Instructions
- Heat and sauté aromatics: Warm the sun-dried tomato oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing for about 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add flavorings: Stir in tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the tomato paste darkens and caramelizes, coating all ingredients.
- Add chicken and broth: Nestle whole chicken breasts into the pot, then pour in the chicken broth. Bring to a boil.
- Simmer chicken: Reduce heat to simmer and cook for 12-15 minutes or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C).
- Shred chicken: Remove chicken breasts carefully, shred them using two forks, and return the shredded chicken to the pot.
- Cook gnocchi: Stir in gnocchi and cook for 3-4 minutes until they float to the surface and become tender.
- Add dairy and spinach: Mix in half-and-half, grated Parmesan, and the squeezed-dry spinach. Heat through gently, avoiding bringing the soup back to a boil.
- Season and serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if required. Serve the soup hot, optionally topped with extra Parmesan cheese or fresh basil for garnish.
Notes
- Use oil from the jar of sun-dried tomatoes to add extra flavor instead of plain oil.
- Ensure the chicken is fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
- Do not boil after adding dairy to prevent curdling; heat gently.
- You can substitute frozen gnocchi if fresh is unavailable.
- Fresh basil is optional but adds a nice herbaceous finish to the soup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken Soup, creamy chicken soup, Italian chicken soup, gnocchi soup, sun dried tomato soup, easy chicken soup recipe

