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.

A large white pot filled with a creamy orange soup that has visible pieces of shredded chicken and round gnocchi floating on top. The soup has small dark green spinach leaves and bits of red tomato scattered throughout, giving it a colorful, textured look. A spoon rests inside the pot, partly submerged in the soup. The pot is placed on a white marbled surface, with a corner of a beige cloth visible on one side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Step 3: Nestle the whole chicken breasts into the pot and pour in the chicken broth.
  4. 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.
  5. Step 5: Remove the chicken breasts, shred them carefully with two forks, and return the shredded chicken to the pot.
  6. Step 6: Stir in the gnocchi and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the gnocchi float and are tender.
  7. Step 7: Add the half-and-half, grated Parmesan, and squeezed-dry spinach. Heat through gently without bringing the soup back to a boil.
  8. 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

A creamy orange soup with visible bits of green spinach, red tomato pieces, and shredded chicken, along with small oval-shaped gnocchi floating throughout, served inside a light grey pot with a ladle dipping into it, all placed on a white marbled surface with a piece of grated cheese and fresh basil leaves on a wooden board at the top left edge. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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
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Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe


  • Author: Sarah
  • 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

Scale

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Add chicken and broth: Nestle whole chicken breasts into the pot, then pour in the chicken broth. Bring to a boil.
  4. 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).
  5. Shred chicken: Remove chicken breasts carefully, shred them using two forks, and return the shredded chicken to the pot.
  6. Cook gnocchi: Stir in gnocchi and cook for 3-4 minutes until they float to the surface and become tender.
  7. 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.
  8. 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

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