Marry Me Chicken Soup is the kind of dish that makes you pause after the first bite—it’s that good. Creamy, comforting, and loaded with flavor, this soup blends the cozy richness of a Parmesan cream broth with shredded rotisserie chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and tender pasta shells. It’s a spoonful of warmth and love that’s easy to make and perfect for a quiet night in or impressing guests.
No need to wait for a special occasion—this one-pot wonder might just win hearts on any weeknight.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- ❤️ Comfort in a bowl: Like your favorite creamy pasta, but soup
- 🥘 One pot = less cleanup
- 🍅 Sun-dried tomato magic: Brings a tangy depth to balance the cream
- 🐔 Rotisserie chicken shortcut: Cuts cook time without sacrificing flavor
- 🧄 Big flavor, minimal effort: Just 1 hour, start to finish
Ingredients
Main Components
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (julienne-cut, packed in oil with herbs)
- 1 tbsp oil from sun-dried tomato jar
- 1½ cups chopped yellow onion
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Flavor Boosters
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 32 oz (2 cartons) chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 4 tsp fresh basil, chopped (plus more for garnish)
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper (adjust to taste)
The Good Stuff
- 8 oz uncooked medium shell pasta
- 3 cups baby spinach, chopped
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 8 oz cream cheese, cubed, room temperature
- 1½ oz Parmesan cheese, shredded (plus more for garnish)
Instructions
- Sauté aromatics: Heat 1 tbsp of oil from the tomato jar in a large Dutch oven. Add onions and garlic. Cook 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Build flavor: Stir in tomato paste and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly until paste darkens slightly.
- Simmer broth: Add chicken broth, cream, basil, salt, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and red pepper. Bring to a gentle boil. Simmer 12 minutes.
- Cook pasta: Add uncooked pasta. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Make it creamy: Lower heat to low. Stir in spinach, shredded chicken, cream cheese, and Parmesan. Stir frequently for 5 minutes until cheeses melt and soup thickens.
- Serve: Ladle into bowls. Top with extra Parmesan, basil, and red pepper flakes. Pair with crusty bread or salad.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 6
- Difficulty: Easy
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – Estimated)
- Calories: 657 kcal
- Protein: 34g
- Carbs: 37g
- Fat: 44g
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 1220mg
- Fiber: 3g
- Calcium: 199mg
- Iron: 4mg
Tips & Variations
- Control the heat: Reduce crushed red pepper or skip it entirely if you’re spice-sensitive.
- Cream cheese hack: Let it soften before adding to avoid clumps.
- Change the pasta: Orecchiette, ditalini, or orzo all work well—adjust cook times accordingly.
- Make it gluten-free: Use GF pasta and double-check your broth ingredients.
- Add mushrooms or peas: For even more texture and flavor.
Marry Me Chicken Soup – A Hug in a Bowl
Equipment
- Large soup pot
- – Cutting board
- – Wooden spoon
- Ladle
Ingredients
- – 2 tbsp olive oil
- – ½ yellow onion diced
- – 3 garlic cloves minced
- – ½ tsp red pepper flakes optional
- – 2 tbsp sun-dried tomatoes chopped
- – 2 tbsp tomato paste
- – 4 cups chicken broth
- – 1 cup heavy cream
- – ½ cup grated Parmesan
- – 4 oz cream cheese cubed
- – 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- – 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- – 1 tsp dried thyme
- – 6 oz short pasta
- – 2 cups baby spinach optional
- – Salt & pepper to taste
- – Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté onion in olive oil until soft. Add garlic and red pepper flakes.
- Stir in tomato paste and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook 2–3 minutes.
- Add chicken broth, shredded chicken, Italian herbs, and thyme. Simmer.
- Stir in cream, Parmesan, and cream cheese. Mix until smooth.
- Add pasta and simmer 10–12 minutes until tender.
- Stir in spinach. Season to taste.
- Garnish with herbs and serve hot.
Notes
– Use gluten-free pasta as needed
– Freeze the base without pasta for best texture
– Adjust spice level with chili flakes or hot sauce
FAQs
Can I make this ahead?
Yes! It stores beautifully in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove with a splash of broth.
Can I freeze it?
Due to the cream and pasta, freezing is not ideal—it may separate. Freeze before adding cream cheese and pasta if needed.
What does it taste like?
Think Marry Me Chicken meets creamy pasta soup. It’s rich, savory, a little tangy, and totally comforting.
Can I use homemade chicken?
Absolutely. Roast or boil chicken breasts and shred—just season well so it brings flavor to the soup.
Conclusion
This Marry Me Chicken Soup isn’t just a cozy dinner—it’s an experience. From the sun-dried tomatoes to the creamy base and tender chicken, it’s a bowl full of love that’s sure to impress. It might not land you a proposal, but it’ll definitely earn you recipe requests.