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Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 163 reviews

Marry Me Chicken Soup is a creamy, comforting soup combining tender diced chicken, fresh vegetables, savory sundried tomatoes, and small pasta shells in a rich Parmesan and heavy cream broth. This satisfying soup is perfect for cozy evenings and easy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein and Seasonings

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1–1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, diced into 1 inch pieces
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • ½ cup diced carrots
  • ½ cup diced celery
  • ½ cup diced onions
  • ¼ cup diced sundried tomatoes
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

Thickening and Flavor

  • ¼ cup flour
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste (optional)

Liquid and Dairy

  • 6–8 cups chicken broth (start with 6 cups)
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • ½–1 cup grated parmesan reggiano cheese

Pasta and Greens

  • 6 oz Italian small shell pasta
  • 2 ½–3 cups fresh spinach

Instructions

  1. Brown the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Cook the chicken, stirring occasionally, until it is browned on all sides, about 4-5 minutes.
  2. Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot, add the diced onions, carrots, celery, sundried tomatoes, and minced garlic. Cook while stirring until the vegetables become translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add Flour and Tomato Paste: Sprinkle the flour evenly over the vegetables and stir well to combine, adding the flour in stages to prevent excessive drying. If using, add the tomato paste now and stir thoroughly to incorporate it into the mixture.
  4. Deglaze and Add Broth: Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Use your spoon to scrape and deglaze the bottom of the pot, lifting any browned bits to enhance flavor.
  5. Simmer with Pasta: Bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Add the small shell pasta along with the remaining 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Cover the pot with a lid, reduce heat to low, and let simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through, tender, and the pasta is al dente. Alternatively, you may cook the pasta separately and add it at the end.
  6. Finish with Cream, Spinach, and Cheese: Remove the lid and stir in the heavy whipping cream, fresh spinach, and grated Parmesan cheese. Allow the soup to simmer gently for an additional 5 minutes so the spinach wilts and the flavors meld together.
  7. Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning as desired. Serve hot for a cozy, comforting meal.

Notes

  • Starting with 6 cups of chicken broth allows you to adjust soup thickness to your preference.
  • Tomato paste is optional but adds a deeper tomato flavor and richer color.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and omit Parmesan or use a suitable vegan cheese.
  • Cooking pasta directly in the soup saves time but cooking separately lets you control pasta texture better.
  • Use fresh spinach for best texture; you can substitute with kale if preferred.

Keywords: Marry Me Chicken Soup, creamy chicken soup, Italian chicken soup, chicken pasta soup, comforting soup, easy dinner soup

Find it online: https://dinewithlily.com/marry-me-chicken-soup-recipe/