Creamy Dairy Free Marry Me Chicken Soup is everything you want in a bowl—comforting, rich, and full of cozy, feel-good flavors. It brings together tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a luscious plant-based cream sauce infused with garlic and herbs. And the best part? It’s completely dairy-free, one-pot, and weeknight friendly.
Whether you’re meal prepping or feeding a hungry household, this soup is guaranteed to win hearts—no dairy required.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Soup
- 🌱 100% dairy-free but still incredibly creamy
- 🍅 Packed with flavor from garlic, herbs, and sun-dried tomatoes
- 🍗 High-protein and nourishing with lean chicken and greens
- 🥣 One-pot recipe = less mess, more comfort
- 🍽️ Elegant enough for guests, easy enough for weeknights
🧂 Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 ¼ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Creamy Sauce:
- 2 tbsp vegan butter
- ½ cup diced yellow onion
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 3 cups baby spinach
- ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained)
- 1 ½ cups plant-based cream (coconut, cashew, or oat-based)
- ¾ cup vegan Parmesan-style cheese (or nutritional yeast)
🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Season the Chicken
Pat the chicken dry. In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, and paprika. Rub over both sides of the chicken.
2. Sear the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high. Sear chicken for 6–7 minutes per side until golden and just cooked through (internal temp: 155–160°F). Transfer to a plate and tent with foil.
3. Cook the Aromatics
Lower heat to medium. Melt vegan butter in the same pot. Add diced onion and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and crushed red pepper. Cook another minute until fragrant.
4. Build the Sauce
Add spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. Stir until spinach wilts (2–3 minutes). Pour in plant-based cream and vegan Parmesan. Stir until melted and smooth.
5. Finish the Soup
Slice or shred the chicken, then return it to the pot. Simmer on low for 5 minutes to let flavors meld.
6. Serve
Ladle into bowls and serve as-is, or over rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles for a heartier meal.
🥄 Substitutions & Variations
- Protein: Use boneless chicken thighs or rotisserie chicken
- Greens: Sub kale, arugula, or frozen spinach
- Cream: Swap with unsweetened cashew cream or full-fat oat milk
- Cheese: Nutritional yeast works if you don’t have vegan Parmesan
🧊 Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Reheat: Warm gently on the stove over medium-low. Add a splash of broth or plant milk if too thick.
Creamy Dairy Free Marry Me Chicken Soup
Equipment
- – Dutch oven or large soup pot
- – Chef’s knife
- – Stirring spoon
Ingredients
- **For the Chicken:**
- – 1¼ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- – ½ tsp salt
- – ½ tsp black pepper
- – ½ tsp paprika
- – 2 tbsp olive oil
- **For the Sauce:**
- – 2 tbsp vegan butter
- – ½ cup diced onion
- – 4 garlic cloves minced
- – 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- – ½ tsp salt
- – ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- – 3 cups baby spinach
- – ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
- – 1½ cups plant-based cream
- – ¾ cup vegan Parmesan-style cheese
Instructions
- **Season Chicken** with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- **Sear** chicken in olive oil until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
- **Cook Aromatics**: Sauté onion, then garlic and herbs in vegan butter.
- **Build Sauce**: Add spinach and tomatoes, then cream and cheese. Stir.
- **Combine**: Add sliced chicken back to pot and simmer 5 minutes.
- **Serve** hot in bowls or over rice/potatoes/pasta.
Notes
– Nutritional yeast works in place of vegan Parmesan
– Can be frozen up to 3 months
❓ FAQs
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! It gets even better after the flavors have time to settle overnight.
Is this gluten-free?
Yes, it’s naturally gluten-free as written.
Can I use regular cream or cheese?
If you’re not dairy-free, feel free to use heavy cream and Parmesan.