The Soup That Will Win Hearts
Marry Me Chicken Soup—just the name alone suggests something special. Creamy, rich, and brimming with comforting flavors, this soup is inspired by the viral “Marry Me Chicken” dish, but takes it to a cozy, soul-warming place. Imagine tender bites of chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach swimming in a luscious, garlic-infused broth thickened with cream and finished with pillowy potato gnocchi. It’s the kind of soup that gets requested again and again—and not just because it’s easy to make.
Whether you’re curling up with a bowl on a rainy day or looking to impress someone at your next dinner party, this soup hits every note: savory, creamy, slightly tangy, and deeply satisfying. One spoonful, and you’ll see why it earns its name.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Soup
- Velvety texture: Thanks to heavy cream and grated Parmesan.
- Deep, layered flavors: From garlic, pesto, and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Hearty and satisfying: The gnocchi makes this a full, nourishing meal.
- Simple steps: No complicated techniques here—just flavor-packed cooking.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1½ tsp Kosher salt, divided
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 medium sweet onion, diced
- 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tbsp pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 Parmesan rind (optional but recommended)
- 16 oz dried potato gnocchi
- ½ – 1 cup heavy cream, depending on how creamy you like it
- 5 oz fresh spinach
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
How to Make Marry Me Chicken Soup
1. Season and Brown the Chicken
In a large bowl, toss the cubed chicken with 1 tsp salt, oregano, and black pepper. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sauté until golden on all sides. Remove and set aside—it’ll finish cooking in the soup.
2. Build the Flavor Base
To the same pot, add diced onion and celery with ½ tsp salt. Sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and tomato paste. Stir until everything is fragrant and the paste has melted into the mixture.
3. Add Broth and Simmer
Pour in the chicken broth, pesto, and Parmesan rind (if using). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10–15 minutes to deepen the flavor.
4. Return Chicken and Add Gnocchi
Add the browned chicken and any accumulated juices back to the pot. Stir in gnocchi and cook for 3–5 minutes until they float and are tender.
5. Make It Creamy
Stir in the heavy cream, fresh spinach, and grated Parmesan. Once the spinach wilts and the soup is creamy and hot, taste and adjust seasoning. Add more salt or pepper if needed.
6. Serve and Savor
Ladle into bowls and top with extra Parmesan. A slice of crusty bread and a glass of white wine turn this into a restaurant-worthy dinner.
Tips and Variations
- Use rotisserie chicken for a shortcut.
- Substitute gnocchi with orzo, rice, or small pasta.
- Make it vegetarian: Skip the chicken and use veggie broth.
- Dairy-free? Use coconut cream and plant-based cheese.
- Freeze in batches (before adding gnocchi) for future comfort meals.
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days.
- Reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of broth if it thickens too much.
- Freezing tip: Best frozen before adding cream and gnocchi for optimal texture.
Final Thoughts
Rich, Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup is more than just a cozy bowl of comfort—it’s a dish that tells a story. Of warmth, of love, of second helpings around the table. It’s the kind of meal that brings people together, quietly impresses with each bite, and becomes a favorite you come back to often.
Try it once and you’ll understand why this soup might just be worth a proposal.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6
Nutrition (Per Serving)
- Calories: 549 kcal
- Protein: 29g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 5g
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Cholesterol: 109mg
- Sodium: 1267mg
- Potassium: 905mg
- Vitamin A: 3371 IU
- Vitamin C: 22mg
- Calcium: 217mg
- Iron: 5mg
