Marry Me Chicken Soup – A Hug in a Bowl Recipe
Marry Me Chicken Soup is a creamy, comforting dish packed with tender rotisserie chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, and a blend of cheeses. This flavorful soup is finished with tender pasta and spinach, making it a complete and satisfying meal perfect for cozy nights.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (julienne-cut, packed in oil with herbs)
- 1 tbsp oil from sun-dried tomato jar
- 1 ½ cups chopped yellow onion
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 32 oz (2 packages) chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 4 tsp fresh basil (plus more for garnish)
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 ½ tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper (or more if you like heat)
Pasta and Greens
- 8 oz uncooked medium shell pasta
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
Chicken and Cheese
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 8 oz cream cheese, cubed (room temperature)
- 1 ½ oz Parmesan cheese, finely shredded (plus more for garnish)
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat 1 tablespoon of sun-dried tomato oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic, cooking for about 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant, which helps build the flavor base of the soup.
- Build the Base: Stir in the tomato paste and julienne-cut sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 2 minutes while stirring constantly until the tomato paste deepens in color, intensifying the tomato flavor.
- Simmer the Broth: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy whipping cream. Add the fresh basil, kosher salt, dried Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally, then let it simmer for 12 minutes to develop the flavors.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the uncooked medium shell pasta to the simmering soup. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook the pasta for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender.
- Make It Creamy & Delicious: Lower the heat to low and stir in the roughly chopped baby spinach, shredded rotisserie chicken, cubed cream cheese, and shredded Parmesan cheese. Stir often for 5 minutes until the cheeses melt smoothly into the soup and the chicken is warmed through, creating a rich and creamy texture.
- Serve & Enjoy: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for added flavor and presentation. Serve immediately alongside crusty bread or a fresh green salad.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time and add flavorful protein.
- Adjust the crushed red pepper amount to control the spice level.
- For a lower-fat version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, but the soup will be less creamy.
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil add richness; if using dry-packed, rehydrate them before adding.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheat gently on the stove.
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken Soup, creamy chicken soup, sun-dried tomato soup, chicken pasta soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe, rotisserie chicken soup
