If you’re looking for a bowl of pure comfort that is guaranteed to win hearts, you simply can’t go wrong with Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup. This dish wraps all the cozy flavor of the viral “Marry Me” chicken in a rich, velvety broth with tender bites of chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and just a hint of spicy warmth. It’s saucy, cheesy, and loaded with little pasta bits that make every spoonful more irresistible than the last. If you love meals that feel like a warm hug and leave everyone asking for seconds, this dreamy soup will be your new favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup is how simple yet essential each ingredient is—you don’t need a long list to create big flavors! Every addition brings vibrant color, savory depth, or creamy texture, so don’t skip a thing if you want that wow factor in every bite.
- Olive oil: Gives the chicken and veggies a beautiful golden edge while infusing a hint of Mediterranean flavor.
- Butter: Adds silkiness and that classic comforting richness to the base of the soup.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces: The star protein, becoming mouthwateringly tender as it soaks up all those luscious flavors.
- Onion, diced: Sautéed onions lay a savory-sweet foundation that defines every good soup.
- Garlic, minced: It’s impossible to overstate the flavor punch three cloves of garlic add!
- Sun-dried tomatoes (in oil), drained and chopped: For that tangy, slightly sweet pop and a gorgeous splash of color in every bite.
- Italian seasoning: The herbs meld beautifully, making the soup taste like it simmered in a Tuscan kitchen all day.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): Just a pinch wakes up all the flavors with the gentlest kick (use more or less depending on your heat preference).
- Chicken broth: The flavorful liquid backbone, ensuring a deeply savory slurp in every spoonful.
- Heavy cream: The ultimate secret for a creamy, dreamy texture and irresistible richness.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Intensifies the umami and sends the soup’s cheesiness to next-level delicious.
- Small pasta (like ditalini or orzo): Tiny pasta shapes nestle perfectly in every bite and soak up the flavorful broth.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Don’t forget to taste and tweak—personal seasoning makes it perfect for your palate!
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish: Takes just seconds to sprinkle, but the freshness brightens each bowl.
How to Make Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup
Step 1: Sear the Chicken
Begin by heating olive oil and butter together in a large pot set over medium heat. Once shimmering and fragrant, add your chicken, seasoning it with plenty of salt and pepper. Stir occasionally as it cooks, giving each piece that lovely golden brown edge. After about five or six minutes, the chicken will be cooked through and lightly browned—go ahead and transfer it to a plate. This builds layers of flavor and ensures your chicken stays juicy.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
In the same pot (don’t wipe it out—those flavorful browned bits are what make the soup taste amazing!), toss in the diced onion. Let it cook until soft and translucent, stirring occasionally so it doesn’t burn. Next, add the garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes if you’re using them. Give it one to two minutes—just long enough for everything to become beautifully fragrant and the tomatoes to release their flavor.
Step 3: Simmer with Broth and Pasta
Now pour in all that wonderful chicken broth, scraping up any extra bits from the bottom of the pot. Crank the heat a bit to bring it to a gentle boil. Scatter in your pasta of choice; ditalini or orzo work especially well. Let the soup simmer, stirring occasionally, and cook the pasta until it’s just al dente. Those little noodles soak up the broth and make each bite extra hearty.
Step 4: Make it Creamy
Time for the star moment that transforms this into Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup: Stir in the heavy cream and sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese. Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and watch as the cheesy creaminess takes over the broth. Return the browned chicken (and those precious juices) back to the pot. Let everything simmer together for five more minutes until the soup is thickened and the flavors are married.
Step 5: Taste and Finish
Before you ladle out that first bowl, give your soup a taste and adjust with salt and pepper as needed. Ladle into bowls and don’t forget a generous handful of chopped fresh basil or parsley right before serving. That final touch of green, paired with the golden broth and crimson tomatoes, makes this Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup as beautiful as it is delicious.
How to Serve Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup
Garnishes
For that chef’s kiss finish, a sprinkle of freshly chopped basil or parsley is a must. If you really want to amp up the wow factor, try a dusting of extra Parmesan or a drizzle of good olive oil right before serving. Those finishing touches add freshness and a little restaurant-worthy sparkle to every bowl of Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup.
Side Dishes
This soup is hearty enough to stand alone, but I love pairing it with warm, crusty bread—perfect for soaking up all that luscious broth. A crisp green salad tossed with a zippy vinaigrette brightens the meal, balancing the soup’s rich, creamy texture. You could even add a plate of simple roasted vegetables for extra color and nutrition.
Creative Ways to Present
For an easy wow moment at your next dinner party, ladle Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup into wide bowls and float a crostini or toasted baguette slice on top. Individual bread bowls turn it into a show-stopping main course. Or serve it family-style in a big pot on the table—everyone can help themselves, making it feel extra cozy and inviting.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with extra Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup (lucky you!), let it cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers. The soup will keep beautifully in the fridge for up to three days, and you might even find that the flavors get even better after a night’s rest.
Freezing
Creamy soups can be tricky to freeze, but this one handles it surprisingly well. Let the soup cool fully, then pour into freezer-safe containers, leaving a little space for expansion. Thaw overnight in the fridge when you’re ready to enjoy it again. Just know that pasta may soften a bit after freezing, so if you’re making this specifically to freeze, cook the noodles until barely al dente.
Reheating
To reheat, pour your Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup into a saucepan and warm it gently over medium-low heat, stirring so it doesn’t scorch. If the soup seems too thick, loosen it with a splash of chicken broth or water until you reach your ideal consistency. Microwave reheating works too, just use a lower setting and pause to stir occasionally for even heating.
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking fresh chicken?
Absolutely! Shredded rotisserie chicken is a fantastic time saver. Just add it in during the final simmer so it warms through without becoming overcooked.
Is there a dairy-free way to make this soup?
You can swap the heavy cream for a rich, unsweetened coconut milk and use a vegan Parmesan alternative. The result will be slightly different but still satisfyingly creamy and delicious.
What kind of pasta works best?
I love ditalini or orzo because their small shape fits perfectly into each bite, but you can use any small pasta you have on hand—just adjust cooking time as needed.
How can I add more vegetables?
This recipe is super flexible! A couple handfuls of baby spinach or torn kale, stirred in right at the end, will wilt perfectly and add healthy greens. Sliced mushrooms or small diced zucchini make lovely additions, too.
Can I make Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, letting the completed soup sit overnight in the fridge deepens the flavors even more. Just reheat gently before serving and adjust any thickness with a bit of broth if necessary.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a meal that feels like love in a bowl, you simply have to try Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup. It’s a gorgeously creamy, soul-warming dish that’s just as perfect for cozy nights at home as it is for impressing guests. Gather your favorite people and dive in—you’re going to fall head over heels for every spoonful!
Print
Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup is a rich and flavorful soup that will win over anyone’s heart. This comforting dish features tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese in a creamy broth, perfect for a cozy meal on a chilly day.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Soup Base:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (in oil), drained and chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 ½ cups small pasta (like ditalini or orzo)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat. Cook chicken until browned and cooked through. Set aside.
- Prepare Base: In the same pot, sauté onion until soft. Add garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook until fragrant.
- Add Broth and Pasta: Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil. Stir in pasta and cook until al dente.
- Finish Soup: Reduce heat, add cream and Parmesan. Return chicken to pot and simmer to thicken.
- Season and Serve: Adjust seasoning, garnish with herbs, and serve warm.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- You can add spinach or kale for extra nutrients.
- Flavors deepen the next day, making it great for meal prep.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
