This Marry Me Chicken Soup is creamy, comforting, and absolutely irresistible. 🍲💛 Tender chunks of chicken, hearty vegetables, and a rich Tuscan cream sauce make it the perfect cozy meal for weeknights, date nights, or anytime you want something truly satisfying. Bonus: it’s a one-pot recipe, so cleanup is easy!
Why You’ll Love This Soup
- Creamy & Comforting: The rich cream sauce takes this soup to the next level.
- Quick & Easy: Ready in under an hour with minimal prep.
- Customizable: Swap chicken types, pasta shapes, or add your favorite veggies for a personal touch.
- Family-Friendly: A crowd-pleaser that even picky eaters love.
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 1–1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, diced
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning, divided
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- ½ cup diced carrots
- ½ cup diced celery
- ½ cup diced onions
- ¼ cup diced sun-dried tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 tbsp tomato paste (optional)
- 6–8 cups chicken broth
- 6 oz pasta (small shells, elbows, or your favorite)
Creamy Finish
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½–1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2½–3 cups fresh spinach
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add chicken, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned on all sides, about 4–5 minutes.
- Cook the Veggies: Add onions, carrots, celery, sun-dried tomatoes, and garlic. Sauté until vegetables are soft and translucent, about 3–4 minutes.
- Thicken the Soup: Sprinkle flour evenly over the mixture and stir to combine. Add tomato paste if using. Gradually whisk in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits to prevent lumps.
- Add Pasta & Simmer: Stir in pasta, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked and pasta is tender. (Tip: Cook pasta separately if you prefer it firmer or for reheating leftovers.)
- Finish with Cream & Greens: Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan, and fresh spinach. Simmer for 5 more minutes until everything is heated through and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Serve & Enjoy: Ladle into bowls, pair with crusty bread, and savor the creamy, comforting flavors.
Tips & Variations
- Chicken Options: Use thighs for richer flavor or breasts for leaner meat. Rotisserie chicken works well for convenience.
- Pasta Choices: Small shells, ditalini, bow tie, or rotini all work beautifully.
- Extra Veggies: Add mushrooms, zucchini, kale, or red peppers for more nutrition and color.
- Flavor Boosters: Sprinkle red pepper flakes, fresh herbs, or a splash of white wine or truffle oil.
- Dairy Substitutes: Use half-and-half, milk, coconut milk, or cream cheese instead of heavy cream.
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for 3–4 days. Add extra broth when reheating if needed.
- Freezing: Omit cream and pasta if freezing. Add them fresh when reheating to prevent separation or mushy pasta.
Nutrition (per serving, approx.)
Calories: 300 | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Carbs: 18g | Protein: 22g | Sodium: 680mg
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