1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Marry Me Chicken Soup

Rich Creamy Chicken Pasta

Featured in Satisfying Hearty Mains.

This luxurious soup combines Italian-inspired flavors with creamy comfort. Featuring tender chicken, shell pasta, and spinach in a rich sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and two kinds of cheese.

Clare Greco
Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 16:09:04 GMT
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Send Recipe Jump To Recipe
A close-up of a creamy pasta dish featuring shells, shredded chicken, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes in a rich sauce. Pin it
A close-up of a creamy pasta dish featuring shells, shredded chicken, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes in a rich sauce. | recipesbyclare.com

Let me share my favorite cozy soup recipe that always brings smiles to the dinner table. This Marry Me Chicken Soup takes everything wonderful about the classic dish and turns it into a bowlful of comfort. The creamy broth sun-dried tomatoes and tender chicken make every spoonful feel extra special.

Pure Comfort in a Bowl

I love how this soup comes together in about an hour but tastes like it simmered all day. Using rotisserie chicken makes it quick and easy while that creamy base loaded with pasta makes it feel like a complete meal. Whenever I serve this everyone asks for the recipe.

What You'll Need

  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Get the ones in oil with herbs they have amazing flavor.
  • Onion and Garlic: These create our flavor foundation.
  • Tomato Paste: Makes everything richer and deeper.
  • Chicken Broth: Creates our savory base.
  • Heavy Cream: Makes everything silky and luxurious.
  • Pasta: Medium shells catch all the good stuff.
  • Rotisserie Chicken: Such a time saver and always tender.
  • Spinach: Adds beautiful color and goodness.
  • Seasonings: Fresh basil Italian herbs garlic powder and a touch of heat.
  • Cream Cheese and Parmesan: Make everything extra creamy and rich.

Let's Make Something Special

Start the Magic:
Heat that flavorful sun-dried tomato oil and cook your onions and garlic until they smell amazing.
Layer the Flavors:
Add tomato paste and sun-dried tomatoes let them get fragrant then pour in your liquids and seasonings.
Perfect Pasta:
Add your pasta and let it cook in all that goodness stirring now and then.
Bring it Together:
Turn down the heat stir in your spinach chicken and cheeses until everything is warm and melty.
Make it Pretty:
Top with extra parmesan fresh basil and a sprinkle of red pepper if you like.

My Kitchen Secrets

  • Fresh is Best: Real basil and garlic make such a difference.
  • Spice it Right: Add your red pepper flakes little by little.
  • Choose Good Pasta: The medium shells are perfect but use what you love.
  • Keep it Tender: Add your chicken at the end so it stays perfect.
A close-up view of a creamy soup featuring pasta shells, shredded chicken, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes in a rich broth. Pin it
A close-up view of a creamy soup featuring pasta shells, shredded chicken, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes in a rich broth. | recipesbyclare.com

Keep it Fresh

  • Save Some: Keeps nicely in the fridge for about 4 days.
  • Warm it Up: Heat it slowly on the stove add a splash of broth if needed.
  • Serve it Right: Some crusty garlic bread on the side is perfect.
  • Freeze Smart: Leave out the pasta if you're freezing add fresh when reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of sun-dried?

Sun-dried tomatoes provide concentrated flavor that's key to this recipe. Fresh tomatoes won't give the same rich taste.

→ What if my cream cheese isn't melting smoothly?

Make sure it's room temperature and cube it small. Stir constantly over low heat until fully melted.

→ Can I make this ahead?

The pasta will continue absorbing liquid. If making ahead, cook pasta separately and add when reheating.

→ Can I freeze this soup?

Cream-based soups can separate when frozen. Better to make fresh or store in fridge up to 3 days.

→ What can I substitute for heavy cream?

Half-and-half works but will be less rich. Don't use milk as it won't provide the same creamy texture.

Marry Me Chicken Soup

A decadent soup combining tender chicken, pasta shells and spinach in a creamy parmesan broth with sun-dried tomatoes.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
40 Minutes
Total Time
60 Minutes

Category: Hearty Mains

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian-American

Yield: 6 Servings (12 cups)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, julienned.
02 1 tablespoon oil from sun-dried tomato jar.
03 1 1/2 cups yellow onion, chopped.
04 4 garlic cloves, minced.
05 3 tablespoons tomato paste.
06 2 packages (32 ounces each) chicken broth.
07 1 cup heavy whipping cream.
08 4 teaspoons fresh basil, chopped.
09 2 teaspoons kosher salt.
10 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning.
11 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
12 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper.
13 8 ounces medium shell pasta.
14 3 cups fresh baby spinach, chopped.
15 2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded.
16 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed.
17 1 1/2 ounces Parmesan cheese, shredded.

Instructions

Step 01

Heat sun-dried tomato oil in Dutch oven over medium.

Step 02

Cook onion and garlic until soft, 3-4 minutes.

Step 03

Add tomato paste and sun-dried tomatoes, cook 2 minutes.

Step 04

Add broth, cream, basil, salt, and seasonings, bring to a boil.

Step 05

Add pasta, reduce to medium-low, and cook for 12 minutes.

Step 06

Reduce heat to low.

Step 07

Stir in spinach, chicken, cream cheese, and Parmesan.

Step 08

Cook until the cheese melts, about 5 minutes. Garnish with extra Parmesan, basil, and red pepper.

Notes

  1. A rich, creamy soup that combines Italian flavors with comfort food. Best served fresh while pasta is al dente.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large Dutch oven.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy (cream, cream cheese, Parmesan).
  • Wheat (pasta).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 655
  • Total Fat: 44 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 36 g
  • Protein: 33 g