They say the way to someone's heart is through their stomach, and this Marry Me Chicken Soup is the ultimate secret weapon. Whether you're cooking for a long-time partner or a first date, this soup screams "effort" even though it's surprisingly simple to make. With its rich, golden broth and tender chicken, it's a sophisticated twist on classic comfort food that feels special enough for a candlelit dinner. Serve it with a crusty baguette, and you might just find yourself hearing "I do" before dessert!
This marry me chicken soup with gnocchi is the ultimate one-pot comfort meal made with sun-dried tomatoes, creamy Parmesan broth, rotisserie chicken, and small pasta shells or gnocchi. Whether you're making the best marry me chicken soup recipe, marry me chicken soup emily english style, marry me chicken soup tiktok version, or marry me chicken soup dairy-free, this cozy comfort soup delivers. The combination of rich, flavorful broth with fresh spinach creates an easy weeknight dinner. Perfect for marry me chicken soup half baked harvest, marry me chicken soup no pasta, and marry me chicken soup crockpot variations.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Marry Me Chicken Soup
- Ingredients for Marry Me Chicken Soup
- How to Make Marry Me Chicken Soup
- My Top Tips for Perfect Marry Me Chicken Soup
- Little Moments in the Kitchen Soup
- Substitutions for Marry Me Chicken Soup
- Variations on Marry Me Chicken Soup
- Equipment for Making Marry Me Chicken Soup
- Storage Tips for Marry Me Chicken Soup
- Adam's Tip for Marry Me Chicken Soup
- FAQ About Marry Me Chicken Soup
- Conclusion
- Related
- Pairing
- recipe
Why You'll Love This Marry Me Chicken Soup
- All the flavor, soup form. This recipe captures everything you love about marry me chicken in a cozy, spoonable bowl.
- One-pot wonder. Everything cooks in a single pot, which means minimal cleanup and maximum comfort.
- Ready in 30 minutes. From start to finish, this one-pot comfort meal comes together quickly for busy weeknights.
Ingredients for Marry Me Chicken Soup
This simple ingredient list creates a restaurant-quality cozy comfort soup.
What You'll Need
For the Soup Base:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces (or 3 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (oil-packed or rehydrated)
- 4 cups chicken broth (low sodium)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (omit for dairy-free)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Add-Ins:
- 2 cups small pasta shells, ditalini, or gnocchi
- 2 cups fresh spinach or baby kale
- Fresh basil for garnish
- Extra Parmesan cheese for serving
Optional Add-Ins:
- 1 cup white beans or chickpeas for extra protein
- ½ cup chopped carrots or celery
- A splash of white wine for depth
Why These Ingredients Matter
Sun-dried tomatoes add sweet, tangy flavor. These little bursts of concentrated tomato flavor are what make this soup special and give it that signature marry me chicken taste.
Creamy Parmesan broth creates richness. The combination of heavy cream and Parmesan cheese creates a rich, flavorful broth that's both comforting and indulgent.
Rotisserie chicken saves time. Using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken cuts your cooking time in half, making this a true quick weeknight meal.
How to Make Marry Me Chicken Soup
Step-by-Step Directions
- Sauté the chicken (if using raw). Heat the olive oil or butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside. (Skip this step if using rotisserie chicken.)
- Cook the aromatics. In the same pot, add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the broth. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring to a simmer.
- Add the pasta or gnocchi. Stir in the small pasta shells or gnocchi and cook according to package directions (usually 8 to 10 minutes for pasta, 3 to 4 minutes for gnocchi) until tender.
- Make it creamy. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, dried basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir until the creamy Parmesan broth is smooth and well combined.
- Add the chicken and spinach. Return the cooked chicken to the pot (or add the shredded rotisserie chicken). Stir in the fresh spinach and let it wilt for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Season and adjust. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or Parmesan if needed. If the soup is too thick, add a splash more chicken broth or cream.
- Serve hot. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan cheese.
- Enjoy! This one-pot comfort meal is best served immediately while the soup is hot and the cheese is melty.
Quick Tip: For a thicker soup, mash some of the pasta or gnocchi against the side of the pot to release their starches.
My Top Tips for Perfect Marry Me Chicken Soup
Make it dairy-free. Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for a marry me chicken soup dairy-free version.
Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes. They're already soft and add more flavor than the dried ones. Just drain them before chopping.
Don't skip the Parmesan. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds so much flavor to the creamy Parmesan broth. Pre-shredded cheese won't melt as smoothly.
Cook pasta separately for leftovers. If you plan to have leftovers, cook the pasta separately and add it to individual bowls. This prevents the pasta from soaking up all the broth.
Share something here that you think is key to making this recipe well, such as: Don't overcook the burgers! Sear the outside and cook to a minimum internal temperature, but they should still be juicy for best results.
Little Moments in the Kitchen Soup
The first time I made this soup, Adam watched me chop the sun-dried tomatoes and said, "Are those like regular tomatoes but older?" I laughed and explained that they're tomatoes that have been dried in the sun to concentrate their flavor. When the soup was ready, he tried a spoonful and his eyes got wide. "Mom, this is SO good! It's creamy and the tomatoes taste sweet and the chicken is so tender. This is like fancy soup!"
Grandma Viola took a taste and smiled. "This reminds me of the marry me chicken we made last month, but in soup form. The sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan make it special. And using rotisserie chicken is smart, makes it fast. This is perfect for cold nights."
If you love creamy soups, try our Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta. It's another comforting favorite.
Substitutions for Marry Me Chicken Soup
- Chicken: Use rotisserie chicken to save time, or swap with turkey, shrimp, or even white beans for a vegetarian version.
- Heavy cream: Replace with half-and-half, coconut cream (for dairy-free), or Greek yogurt stirred in at the end.
- Parmesan cheese: Use nutritional yeast for dairy-free, or try pecorino Romano for a sharper flavor.
- Pasta: Swap small pasta shells with ditalini, orzo, tortellini, or gnocchi for marry me chicken soup with gnocchi.
Variations on Marry Me Chicken Soup
- Marry Me Chicken Soup with Gnocchi: Use store-bought or homemade gnocchi instead of pasta for a heartier texture, perfect for marry me chicken soup with gnocchi and cozy comfort soup.
- Best Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe (Classic): Follow the recipe above with small pasta shells and all the traditional ingredients for the best marry me chicken soup recipe and marry me chicken soup emily english style.
- Marry Me Chicken Soup TikTok (Viral Version): Add extra cream and Parmesan, top with crispy fried onions or bacon bits for marry me chicken soup tiktok and rich, flavorful broth.
- Marry Me Chicken Soup Dairy-Free: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for marry me chicken soup dairy-free and marry me chicken soup half baked harvest variations.
- Marry Me Chicken Soup Crockpot (Slow Cooker): Add all ingredients except cream, Parmesan, and spinach to slow cooker, cook on low 4 to 6 hours, stir in cream and cheese before serving for marry me chicken soup crockpot and marry me chicken soup no pasta options.
If you're craving more easy dinners, check out our Firecracker Ground Chicken. It's another weeknight winner.
Equipment for Making Marry Me Chicken Soup
- Large pot or Dutch oven: A 6-quart pot works best for this one-pot comfort meal.
- Sharp knife and cutting board: For chopping the chicken, onion, and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Wooden spoon or ladle: For stirring the creamy Parmesan broth.
- Measuring cups and spoons: For accurate ingredient measurements.
Storage Tips for Marry Me Chicken Soup
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The pasta will absorb some of the broth as it sits, so you may need to add more chicken broth when reheating.
- Freezer: Freeze the soup without the pasta for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, reheat, and add freshly cooked pasta before serving.
- Reheating tip: Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring frequently. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream to thin out the soup if needed.
- Make-ahead tip: You can make the soup base ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Add the pasta and spinach when you're ready to serve for the freshest texture.
For more comfort food, try our Sticky Garlic Chicken Noodles. Another great option for busy weeks.
Adam's Tip for Marry Me Chicken Soup
"Don't forget to get some of those sun-dried tomatoes in every bite! They're like little flavor bombs. And if you want it extra cheesy, add more Parmesan on top!"
FAQ About Marry Me Chicken Soup
What is in Marry Me Chicken soup?
Marry Me Chicken soup contains tender chicken (often rotisserie chicken for convenience), sun-dried tomatoes, creamy Parmesan broth made with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, small pasta shells or gnocchi, fresh spinach, and aromatic seasonings like garlic and Italian herbs. The combination of these ingredients creates a rich, flavorful broth with the signature sweet and tangy flavor from sun-dried tomatoes. This one-pot comfort meal works for marry me chicken soup with gnocchi, best marry me chicken soup recipe, and marry me chicken soup dairy-free variations. The creamy Parmesan broth and sun-dried tomatoes make this cozy comfort soup special.
Why is it called "marry me soup"?
The soup gets its name from the original "marry me chicken" dish, which legend says is so delicious it could inspire a marriage proposal! When adapted into soup form, it keeps the same irresistible flavors: sun-dried tomatoes, creamy Parmesan broth, tender chicken, and Italian seasonings. The idea is that the rich, flavorful broth and cozy comfort soup is so good that anyone who tastes it would want to marry the person who made it. This marry me chicken soup emily english and marry me chicken soup tiktok version captures all that deliciousness in a one-pot comfort meal perfect for marry me chicken soup crockpot and marry me chicken soup half baked harvest variations.
What is the best soup to break up mucus?
The best soups to break up mucus are typically hot, brothy soups with ingredients like chicken broth, garlic, onions, and warming spices. While Marry Me Chicken Soup contains some of these beneficial ingredients like chicken broth, garlic, and onions in the creamy Parmesan broth, it's primarily a comfort soup rather than a medicinal one. For breaking up mucus specifically, a lighter chicken noodle soup or hot and sour soup with ginger and chili would be more effective. However, the warm steam from this cozy comfort soup can still provide some relief, and the rotisserie chicken provides protein to support your immune system during illness.
Why do they call it "marry me chicken"?
"Marry me chicken" earned its name from the belief that the dish is so incredibly delicious, it could inspire someone to propose marriage! The original recipe features chicken breasts in a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and Italian herbs. When transformed into marry me chicken soup with gnocchi or small pasta shells, it maintains all those irresistible flavors in a rich, flavorful broth. The sweet and tangy sun-dried tomatoes combined with the creamy Parmesan broth create a one-pot comfort meal that's truly special. Whether you make the best marry me chicken soup recipe or try marry me chicken soup dairy-free variations, the name reflects just how good this cozy comfort soup really is.
For another version of this beloved dish, check out this Marry Me Chicken Soup from Allrecipes.
Conclusion
Whether you're celebrating an anniversary or just a cozy Tuesday, this romantic chicken soup adds a touch of magic to the table. It's rich, elegant, and impossibly delicious. If this dish helped you win some extra "brownie points" at home, please give it a 5-star rating below! And hey, if there's a ring involved, you better let me know in the comments!
If you try this marry me chicken soup with gnocchi or the best marry me chicken soup recipe, you'll see why it's going viral. Whether you're making marry me chicken soup emily english style, marry me chicken soup tiktok version, or marry me chicken soup dairy-free, this one-pot comfort meal delivers every time. The creamy Parmesan broth with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach tastes like pure comfort. Make it for your next busy evening and enjoy this cozy comfort soup with your family. For more comforting options, try our Chicken Casserole or Cream Cheese Chicken. Happy cooking!
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Marry Me Chicken Soup:
recipe
Marry Me Chicken Soup with Gnocchi
Equipment
- Large pot or Dutch oven At least 6-quart size for easy stirring
- Wooden spoon
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces or use rotisserie chicken
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 0.5 cup sun-dried tomatoes oil-packed, chopped
- 4 cups chicken broth low sodium preferred
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon dried basil
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 2 cups gnocchi shelf-stable or refrigerated
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Season the chicken lightly with salt and pepper and cook until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, add the onion and cook until softened. Stir in the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes and cook until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add the gnocchi and cook until tender and floating to the top.
- Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, dried basil, and red pepper flakes.
- Return the chicken to the pot and add the spinach. Stir gently until the spinach wilts. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, use coconut cream and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.
- If you plan leftovers, cook the gnocchi separately and add it when reheating.
- This soup freezes best without the gnocchi added.
- Serve with crusty bread and let kids help with garnish to make it feel special.
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