Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe

Introduction

Marry Me Chicken Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and creamy gnocchi in a savory broth. It’s an easy one-pot recipe perfect for cozy dinners or meal prep. This soup brings rich tastes together in a satisfying, homemade meal.

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 coats all ingredients.
3. Step 3: Nestle the whole chicken breasts into the pot, then pour in the chicken broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 12-15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through (reaches 165°F).
4. Step 4: Remove the chicken breasts from the pot and shred them carefully with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the soup.
5. Step 5: Stir in the gnocchi and cook for 3-4 minutes, until the gnocchi float and are tender.
6. Step 6: Add the half-and-half, grated Parmesan, and squeezed-dry spinach. Heat through gently without boiling.
7. Step 7: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve the soup warm, optionally topped with extra Parmesan or fresh basil.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh spinach instead of frozen for a brighter flavor and texture.
• Swap gnocchi for small pasta like orzo or ditalini if preferred.
• Adding a splash of white wine before the broth can deepen the flavor.
• For a spicier kick, increase red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat to prevent the dairy from curdling. If freezing, omit the half-and-half and add it when reheating for best texture.

How to Serve

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 add extra richness. Adjust cooking time accordingly until the chicken is fully cooked.

Is this soup gluten-free?

The recipe as written with gnocchi is not gluten-free unless you use gluten-free gnocchi or substitute with a gluten-free pasta alternative.

Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 94 reviews

• Author: Zoe
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

This Marry Me Chicken Soup is a comforting, flavorful dish combining tender chicken breasts, sun-dried tomatoes, savory seasonings, and pillowy gnocchi in a creamy broth. Enhanced with spinach and Parmesan, this hearty soup is perfect for cozy dinners and easy to prepare in one pot.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Soup Base

• 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)
• 6 cups chicken broth (48 oz.)

Protein

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts

Pasta & Dairy

• 16 oz gnocchi (shelf stable)
• ¾ cup half-and-half (6 oz.)
• ⅓ cup Parmesan (grated, 30g)

Vegetables

• 1 cup frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed dry, 30g)

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Instructions

1. Sauté Aromatics: Heat the sun-dried tomato oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic and sauté for about 5 minutes until the onion is softened and fragrant.
2. Add Seasonings and Tomatoes: 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 and all ingredients are well coated.
3. Add Broth and Chicken: Nestle the whole boneless skinless chicken breasts into the pot and pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
4. Simmer Chicken: Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 12-15 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F, indicating it is fully cooked.
5. Shred Chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the pot carefully and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot.
6. Cook Gnocchi: Stir in the gnocchi and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the gnocchi float to the surface and are tender.
7. Add Dairy and Spinach: Add the half-and-half, grated Parmesan cheese, and the thawed, well-squeezed frozen spinach. Heat gently through the soup without allowing it to boil again.
8. Season and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve the soup hot, optionally topped with extra Parmesan or fresh basil for garnish.

Notes

• Use oil from the jar of sun-dried tomatoes to maximize flavor.
• Ensure chicken is fully cooked (165°F) before shredding to maintain safety and texture.
• Do not boil after adding half-and-half to prevent curdling.
• Frozen spinach should be thoroughly drained to avoid excess water in the soup.
• Gnocchi can be substituted with other bite-sized pasta if preferred.
• For a richer flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Marry Me Chicken Soup, creamy chicken soup, gnocchi soup, sun-dried tomato soup, easy chicken soup, one pot soup