If you love cozy comfort food with a decadent twist, you’ll fall head-over-heels for Marry Me Chicken Soup! All the dreamy flavors of the famous “Marry Me Chicken” — creamy broth, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh herbs, and Parmesan — get swirled into a soul-warming soup that’s impossible not to adore. It’s weeknight-friendly, but impressive enough to make anyone swoon (no rings required!).
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultra Creamy and Rich: The luscious combination of heavy cream, Parmesan, and chicken broth creates an irresistible, velvety base that hugs every spoonful.
- Delightful Pops of Flavor: Sun-dried tomatoes, pesto, and herbs add bright, tangy, and aromatic notes in every bite, keeping things vibrant and exciting.
- Hearty and Satisfying: Tender chicken and pillowy gnocchi make Marry Me Chicken Soup a full meal — everyone will leave the table happy and content.
- Totally Crowd-Pleasing: It’s easy enough for a Tuesday, but special enough for guests (or anyone you want to treat to the ultimate cozy bowl).
Ingredients You’ll Need
The best soups are all about balance — and Marry Me Chicken Soup shines bright thanks to just a handful of everyday, flavor-packed ingredients. Each one brings its own magic, from silky creaminess to savory depth and a hint of garden-fresh green!
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Chop these into bite-sized pieces for tender protein that soaks up all the creamy flavor.
- Kosher salt and black pepper: Proper seasoning is key for layered, deeply satisfying soup.
- Dried oregano: Offers herby Mediterranean flair (you’ll taste that “Marry Me” vibe immediately).
- Extra virgin olive oil & unsalted butter: Sautéing chicken and veggies in this combo boosts richness and depth.
- Sweet onion and celery: The aromatic backbone that anchors the soup and lends natural sweetness.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: Chopped and stirred in, they burst with tangy, umami-packed complexity.
- Garlic: Four cloves infuse the whole pot with familiar, savory warmth.
- Tomato paste: Adds sweet, concentrated tomato richness and deepens the color beautifully.
- Low-sodium chicken broth: The comforting, savory base that holds everything together.
- Pesto: A swirl for bright, herby depth and a pop of color — store-bought or homemade both work.
- Parmesan rind (optional): Simmering this in the soup infuses extra cheesy, nutty goodness (highly recommended if you have it!).
- Dried gnocchi (or small pasta): Potato gnocchi makes every bite extra hearty, but small pasta like orecchiette is also lovely.
- Heavy cream: A splash (or more!) turns the broth into silk — adjust to your desired richness.
- Fresh baby spinach: Folds in at the end for a pop of green freshness and tender texture.
- Grated Parmesan: Melts into the hot soup for nutty, salty magic (and a snowy finish on top if you’re feeling extra!).
Variations
Make Marry Me Chicken Soup truly your own! This recipe is so easy to adapt, whether you want to switch up the protein, add extra veggies, or adjust for dietary needs — it’s all about what tastes best to you.
- Swap the Protein: Use boneless, skinless thighs instead of breasts for even juicier bites, or try rotisserie chicken to save time.
- Make It Vegetarian: Leave out the chicken, add more spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, and swap chicken broth for veggie broth. White beans make a great protein addition!
- Try a Pasta Twist: Not a gnocchi fan? Small pasta like ditalini, orzo, or orecchiette work beautifully and soak up the creamy broth.
- Go Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free gnocchi or pasta — the flavors stay absolutely dreamy.
- Boost the Veggies: Add diced carrots, mushrooms, or even kale for extra color and nutrition.
- Dairy-Light Version: Substitute half-and-half or coconut cream for the heavy cream to lighten things up while still enjoying a silky finish.
How to Make Marry Me Chicken Soup
Step 1: Season & Brown the Chicken
Toss your cubed chicken with plenty of salt, dried oregano, and black pepper so every piece gets a flavor boost. Sauté quickly in olive oil and butter until golden — you want some gorgeous color, but don’t worry about cooking it through (the magic happens in the broth later!). Remove chicken to a plate to keep it juicy and ready for its creamy finish.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
Add diced onion and celery to the same pot (all those little browned bits from the chicken = BIG flavor). Season with a pinch more salt and cook until they’re soft and translucent, then stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and tomato paste. The whole kitchen will smell positively intoxicating at this stage!
Step 3: Build the Creamy Broth Base
Pour in the chicken broth and a swirl of pesto — plus the Parmesan rind if you have one. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer. Let the soup bubble gently for 10–15 minutes, so every flavor has a chance to meld and taste like pure comfort in a bowl.
Step 4: Cook the Gnocchi and Finish the Soup
Return the browned chicken (and all its flavorful juices) to the pot. Stir in the dried gnocchi and simmer gently: once the gnocchi rise to the top and are pillowy-tender (just a few minutes!), you’re ready for the final touch. Off the heat, fold in the heavy cream, fresh spinach, and a generous handful of Parmesan. Taste and adjust seasoning — it should be rich, creamy, and irresistible!
Pro Tips for Making Marry Me Chicken Soup
- Golden Brown Chicken Bites: Don’t overcrowd the pan when browning your chicken; work in batches for a beautiful sear and deeper flavor.
- Maximize Parmesan Rind Magic: Toss any leftover Parmesan rind into the simmering soup — it melts away, infusing every drop with luxurious, nutty notes.
- Don’t Overcook Gnocchi: Keep a close eye — as soon as the gnocchi float, they’re perfectly tender. Overcooking can make them mushy.
- Finish Fresh: Wait until the very end to add spinach and cream so the greens stay vibrant and the soup stays silky smooth.
How to Serve Marry Me Chicken Soup
Garnishes
The classic move? A shower of freshly grated Parmesan and a swirl of bright green pesto right before serving. For even more color and flavor, try a sprinkle of chopped fresh basil or cracked pepper. A little drizzle of extra virgin olive oil lends a glossy finish (and truly makes Marry Me Chicken Soup restaurant-worthy!).
Side Dishes
This soup is hearty all on its own, but a chunk of crusty sourdough or garlicky bread is simply divine for dunking. Pair with a crisp green salad or roasted veggies for a meal that feels both comforting and elevated — just what you want with Marry Me Chicken Soup.
Creative Ways to Present
Ladle Marry Me Chicken Soup into shallow bowls for a casually elegant dinner, or try serving in oversized mugs for a cozy lunch. For a playful touch at parties, ladle into shot glasses with a tiny bit of gnocchi and a Parmesan shaving — everyone will want to know your secret recipe!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Marry Me Chicken Soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. The flavors deepen as it sits, making it just as tempting (if not more so) the next day!
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze this soup — just keep in mind that gnocchi can soften further with thawing. For best results, freeze before adding the gnocchi and cream, then stir those in fresh when you reheat the base.
Reheating
Gently rewarm Marry Me Chicken Soup on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring often. If the soup has thickened, add a splash of broth or cream to loosen it up and keep that luxurious texture.
FAQs
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Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking my own?
Absolutely! Shredded rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut for Marry Me Chicken Soup — just add it along with the broth and simmer until heated through. It saves prep but keeps all the flavor.
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Will another pasta work if I don’t have gnocchi?
Yes — any small pasta like orecchiette, ditalini, or even small shells will soak up the creamy broth beautifully. Simply adjust the simmer time according to the pasta’s package instructions so you get that perfect, tender bite.
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Is there a dairy-free way to make this soup creamy?
You can swap heavy cream for full-fat coconut milk, and use a vegan Parmesan or nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor. You’ll still get a rich, silky broth — no dairy required.
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Can I prepare Marry Me Chicken Soup ahead of time?
Yes! The soup base (minus gnocchi, cream, and spinach) can be made 2–3 days in advance. Just reheat gently, add gnocchi and spinach just before serving, then finish with cream and Parmesan for best texture and color.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about sharing a pot of Marry Me Chicken Soup with the people you love — it’s comfort food, conversation starter, and weeknight legend all in one. If you’re craving a little warmth and a lot of flavor, this creamy, hearty soup will absolutely steal your heart. I hope you give it a try soon!
Print
Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Indulge in the rich and creamy goodness of Marry Me Chicken Soup, a hearty and flavorful dish that will warm you up from the inside out. Tender chicken, savory aromatics, pillowy gnocchi, and vibrant spinach come together in a luscious broth that’s perfect for any time of year.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 1/2 tsp Kosher salt, divided
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Soup:
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 medium sweet onion, diced
- 2 sticks celery, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 Tbsp pesto, store-bought or homemade
- 1 Parmesan rind, optional
- 16 oz (1 lb) dried potato gnocchi (or small pasta, such as orecchiette)
- 1/2 – 1 cup heavy cream
- 5 oz fresh baby spinach, half of a large bag
- 1/2 cup Parmesan, grated
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Place cubed chicken in a large mixing bowl, then season with 1 tsp Kosher salt, 1 tsp dried oregano, and ¼ tsp black pepper. Toss well.
- Brown the chicken: Heat 2 Tbsp olive oil and 2 Tbsp butter in a large soup pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat. When hot, add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
- Sauté the aromatics: Add onion and celery to the pot. Season with salt and cook until translucent. Add sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and tomato paste. Stir and cook.
- Add the broth: Pour in chicken broth, pesto, and Parmesan rind. Bring to a boil, then simmer.
- Cook the gnocchi: Return cooked chicken to the pot, then add gnocchi. Cook until tender.
- Add cream: Stir in heavy cream, spinach, and Parmesan. Adjust seasoning, then serve.
Notes
- You can customize the soup by adding other vegetables like carrots or bell peppers.
- For a lighter version, you can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- This soup pairs well with a crusty bread or a side salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
