There’s a reason some recipes go viral, you know? It’s not just hype.
It’s because they actually deliver, wrapping you in a cozy, delicious promise that, frankly, this soup more than keeps.
Why “Marry Me” Soups Are a Different Kind of Comfort
We often think of proposals involving grand gestures, maybe a fancy dinner.
But real love, the kind that lasts, shows up in a steaming bowl on a regular Wednesday, no fanfare required.
Ingredients Needed for the Recipe
Each component here builds a specific layer of flavor, from tangy to creamy.
- Oil from Sun-Dried Tomatoes: This is your flavor secret weapon, infused with herbaceous, tomato-y goodness.
- Garlic & Sun-Dried Tomatoes: They create the soul of the broth, offering a sweet, intense, and chewy punch.
- Tomato Paste: It’s for depth, concentrating that rich tomato essence into the liquid.
- Chicken Broth: Choose a low-sodium variety so you can control the seasoning yourself at the end.
- Small Pasta Shells: Their curves are perfect for cradling every drop of the creamy broth.
- Baby Spinach: It wilts down effortlessly, adding a pop of color and a gentle, fresh note.
- Shredded Cooked Chicken: This is your shortcut to heartiness, turning the soup into a full meal.
- Cream Cheese & Parmesan: The dynamic duo for creaminess; one for lush body, the other for salty, nutty flavor.
- Fresh Basil: A bright, aromatic finish that lifts all the other rich ingredients beautifully.
How to make Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe?
The process is straightforward, but a few careful moments make all the difference.
Let’s build this from the ground up.
Step 1: Awaken the Tomato Base
Warm that glorious sun-dried tomato oil in your largest pot over medium heat.
Add the minced garlic and stir for just a minute, until the air smells fantastic and the garlic sizzles softly.
Step 2: Deepen the Flavor
Toss in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and tomato paste now.
Stir them constantly for two minutes; you’ll see the paste darken just a shade, its flavor mellowing and sweetening.
Step 3: Create the Broth
Pour in all that chicken broth and give it a good stir, scraping up any bits from the pot’s bottom.
Bring it to a lively boil, then let it bubble happily for about eight minutes to marry all those savory notes together.
Step 4: Cook the Pasta
Add your pasta shells and reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.
Cook, stirring now and then, until the pasta is just tender but still has a bit of bite, about six minutes.
Step 5: The Creamy Finale
Take the pot completely off the heat—this is crucial.
Stir in the spinach, chicken, both cheeses, and basil; the residual heat will melt everything smoothly without curdling.
The Art of Choosing Your Chicken
You have glorious, easy options here, truly.
A store-bought rotisserie chicken is a flawless choice, its skin and seasoning adding extra character.
Or, poach a couple of breasts in the broth before you start, then shred them; you’ll get incredibly tender, juicy meat.
Even last night’s leftover grilled chicken works beautifully, gaining new life in the creamy soup.
Tips
- Cut the cream cheese into small cubes and let it sit out before you start cooking. Room-temperature cheese blends in seamlessly, without stubborn lumps.
- Resist adding salt until the very end. Between the broth, Parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes, it might be perfectly seasoned already.
- If the soup thickens too much upon standing, a splash of warm broth or water when reheating will bring it right back to its perfect, soupy consistency.
- For a hint of warmth, a pinch of red pepper flakes added with the garlic can be a wonderful, subtle twist.
Serving This Bowl of Romance
Presentation is simple but effective with this one.
Ladle it into wide, shallow bowls so you get a bit of everything in each spoonful.
A final sprinkle of extra Parmesan and a few thin ribbons of fresh basil on top make it look special.
And please, serve it with the crustiest, most rugged bread you can find—you’ll want it for dipping, for scooping, for not missing a single drop.
Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe
Description
This internet-famous “Marry Me Chicken” gets a cozy, comforting twist as a creamy, flavorful soup! Tender chicken, sweet sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, spinach, and pasta simmer in a rich broth finished with melted cream cheese and Parmesan. It tastes like it took hours—but comes together in under 45 minutes. Perfect for weeknights or impressing dinner guests!
ingredients
Instructions
-
Make the tomato base
In a large Dutch oven, heat the sun-dried tomato oil over medium heat until shimmering, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring often, until fragrant, about 1 minute. -
Build flavor
Add the sun-dried tomatoes and tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, until the tomato paste turns a slightly deeper red, about 2 minutes. -
Flavor the broth
Stir in the chicken broth and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld, about 8 minutes. -
Cook the pasta
Add the pasta and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is just al dente, about 6 minutes. -
Finish and serve
Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the spinach, chicken, cream cheese, Parmesan, and basil (if using). Let sit, stirring often, until the cream cheese and Parmesan are melted and the chicken is heated through, about 5 minutes. Taste, adding salt only if needed. -
Garnish and serve
Ladle into bowls, garnish with additional Parmesan and fresh basil (if desired), and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 6
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 380kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 20g31%
- Saturated Fat 11g56%
- Cholesterol 75mg25%
- Sodium 680mg29%
- Potassium 620mg18%
- Total Carbohydrate 28g10%
- Dietary Fiber 3g12%
- Sugars 6g
- Protein 22g44%
- Calcium 15 mg
- Iron 10 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
- Leftovers? Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Note: pasta will absorb broth over time—add a splash of broth or water when reheating.
- No cream cheese? You can substitute with full-fat Greek yogurt or mascarpone, but texture may vary slightly.
- Vegetarian option: Use vegetable broth and replace chicken with white beans or chickpeas.
- Pasta tip: If using a different shape (e.g., orecchiette), adjust cook time per package directions to reach al dente.
