This marry me chicken soup combines chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, small pasta, and spinach in a creamy Parmesan broth. Garlic and Italian seasoning give it a savory base, while the tomatoes add a tangy flavor that balances the cream.
Using already-cooked chicken keeps the preparation straightforward. Cook the pasta in the soup for dinner tonight, or cook it separately if you want leftovers that stay brothy. Both methods are explained below.
Easy Marry Me Chicken Soup with Spinach and Pasta
Equipment
- Large Dutch oven or soup pot approximately 5–6 quarts
- Cutting board and knife
- Wooden Spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Fine grater
- Saucepan and colander if cooking pasta separately
Ingredients
- For the Soup Base
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- ½ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes drained and chopped
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- For the Chicken Pasta, and Creamy Finish
- 1 cup dry ditalini or small shell pasta approximately 4–5 ounces depending on shape
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup finely grated Parmesan approximately 1½ ounces
- 3 packed cups fresh baby spinach approximately 3 ounces
- Salt to taste
- Optional Finish
- Fresh basil torn or chopped
- Additional grated Parmesan
- 1 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice only if needed
Instructions
- Soften the onion.Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
- Build the flavor base.Add the garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and optional red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute, stirring so the garlic does not burn.
- Add the broth.Pour in the chicken broth and add the black pepper. Scrape the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Cook the pasta.Stir in the dry pasta. Reduce to a steady simmer and cook according to the package timing, stirring regularly, until just tender. Begin checking a minute before the stated time.
- Add the chicken and cream.Stir in the cooked chicken and heavy cream. Heat gently for approximately 3–5 minutes, until the chicken is hot throughout. Avoid a vigorous boil.
- Wilt the spinach.Add the spinach and stir for 1–2 minutes, until wilted.
- Finish with Parmesan.Remove the pot from the heat. Add the finely grated Parmesan a little at a time, stirring between additions. Taste before adding salt. If the soup tastes overly rich, add a little optional lemon juice.
- Adjust and serve.If the soup is thicker than you like, stir in a splash of hot broth or water. Serve with optional basil and extra Parmesan.
- Separate-Pasta Method for Meal PrepCook the pasta separately according to its package instructions and drain.Prepare the soup as directed, but skip adding dry pasta to the broth. Begin with 5 cups of broth, adding more at the end if needed. After bringing the broth to a simmer, continue with the chicken, cream, spinach, and Parmesan.Divide the cooked pasta between serving bowls and ladle the soup over it. Refrigerate leftover pasta and soup in separate containers.
Notes
- Chicken: The timing assumes the chicken is already cooked.
- Pasta: Different shapes have different weights and cooking times. Check the package.
- Broth: Keep extra broth available for adjusting the texture.
- Salt: Taste after adding Parmesan before seasoning further.
- Serving size: Divide the finished soup into six portions. Yield varies with evaporation and added broth.
- Allergens: The standard recipe contains milk and wheat. Check all packaged ingredients when making substitutions.
Why This Marry Me Chicken Soup Works
- Cooked chicken saves a step: Use leftover roast chicken or rotisserie chicken.
- Sun-dried tomatoes add flavor: Chop them finely so they spread throughout the soup.
- Cream goes in near the end: Gentle heat helps keep the broth smooth.
- Spinach cooks quickly: Add it shortly before serving.
- Two pasta methods: Choose one-pot cooking or separate pasta for making ahead.
Ingredients for Marry Me Chicken Soup
Chicken and Pasta
Cooked chicken: Use 3 cups of shredded or chopped chicken. Remove the skin and bones. Both breast and thigh meat work.
Small pasta: Ditalini or small shells fit easily on a spoon. Measure the pasta dry, and follow its package cooking time.
The Creamy Broth
Sun-dried tomatoes: Use oil-packed tomatoes, drained and chopped. Avoid adding all the jar oil, which can make the broth greasy.
Onion and garlic: Cook the onion until softened, then add the garlic briefly.
Tomato paste: Adds color and a deeper tomato flavor. Stir it into the aromatics before adding broth.
Chicken broth: Start with low-sodium broth. Parmesan, chicken, and sun-dried tomatoes already contribute salt.
Heavy cream: Gives the broth richness. Add it over gentle heat rather than letting it boil hard.
Parmesan: Finely grate a block of Parmesan so it melts more easily. Add it gradually off the heat.
Spinach: Fresh baby spinach wilts into the soup in a few minutes.
Tips for a Smooth, Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup
Finely grate the Parmesan.
Small shreds melt more readily. Coarsely grated or pre-shredded cheese may leave a grainier texture.
Lower the heat before adding cream.
Keep the soup at a gentle simmer. Hard boiling is unnecessary once the pasta has cooked.
Add Parmesan off the heat.
Stir it in gradually. Adding a large handful at once can cause clumping.
Keep the pasta quantity measured.
Extra pasta absorbs more broth and can turn the soup into a thick pasta dish.
Taste before adding lemon.
Sun-dried tomatoes vary in acidity. The optional lemon juice is for balancing the finished soup, not a required ingredient.
How to Keep the Pasta from Absorbing All the Broth
Pasta continues absorbing liquid after cooking. A soup that looks brothy at dinner can become much thicker in the refrigerator.
For the best make-ahead texture:
- Cook the pasta separately.
- Store it separately from the soup.
- Reheat only the portions you plan to serve.
- Add pasta to each bowl immediately before eating.
If you already cooked the pasta in the soup, add broth when reheating. This restores some liquid, but the pasta will remain softer.
What to Serve with Marry Me Chicken Soup
Serve this soup with homemade French bread for dipping. A green salad with a light dressing also works alongside the creamy broth.
For another soup night, try our chicken noodle soup or lasagna soup.
Finish the meal with easy apple crisp if you want a fall dessert.
For more meal ideas, browse the Healthy Recipes collection at Healthy Well Recipes.
Variations and Substitutions
Chicken thighs instead of breast:
Use the same volume of cooked, chopped thigh meat.
Kale instead of spinach:
Remove tough stems and chop the leaves. Add the kale earlier, allowing it to simmer until tender before adding cream.
Without pasta:
Omit it and begin with 5 cups of broth. Add a drained can of cannellini beans if you want more substance.
Gluten-free pasta:
Use a suitable gluten-free pasta and cook it separately. Check broth, seasonings, and other packaged ingredients for your requirements.
Half-and-half instead of heavy cream:
It produces a less rich broth and is more sensitive to heat. Add it gently near the end and avoid boiling.
Dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes:
Rehydrate according to the package instructions, drain, and chop before using. Start with less and adjust because their concentration and texture differ.
How to Store and Reheat Marry Me Chicken Soup
Divide leftovers into shallow containers and refrigerate within 2 hours. Keep refrigerated leftovers for 3–4 days.
Reheat gently, stirring regularly, until the soup reaches 165°F (74°C). Add broth if it has thickened. These recommendations follow the USDA leftovers guidance. www.fsis.usda.gov
Freezing
For better texture, freeze the broth-and-chicken base before adding pasta, cream, Parmesan, and spinach.
Thaw in the refrigerator, reheat the base, then add the finishing ingredients. Cook fresh pasta separately.
You can freeze the fully finished soup, but the pasta may soften and the creamy broth may separate after thawing.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Soup is too thick | Add hot broth a little at a time. |
| Pasta is too soft | It cannot be firmed up again. Next time, cook it separately and add it at serving. |
| Parmesan forms clumps | Stop adding cheese and stir gently off the heat. Use finer shreds next time. |
| Soup tastes too salty | Add unsalted broth or water gradually; do not add more Parmesan. |
| Broth tastes too rich | Try a small amount of lemon juice, tasting as you go. |
| Soup is too spicy | Serve with extra plain broth or a little cream to dilute the heat. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is marry me chicken soup?
It is a soup variation of the chicken dish commonly called “Marry Me Chicken.” This version uses chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, cream, Parmesan, spinach, and small pasta.
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes. Remove the skin and bones, then measure 3 cups of shredded or chopped meat. Taste the finished soup before adding salt because rotisserie chicken can be well seasoned.
Can I add raw chicken directly?
This recipe is written for cooked chicken. Raw chicken requires a different cooking sequence and enough time to reach 165°F (74°C) before serving. Cook it separately first if you want to follow the recipe as written.
What pasta should I use?
Ditalini and small shells work well. Other small shapes can work, but follow their package cooking times and adjust broth as needed.
Can I make marry me chicken soup ahead?
Yes. For better texture, cook and store the pasta separately. Add it to individual bowls when serving.
Why did my soup become thick overnight?
The pasta absorbed broth while sitting. Add liquid during reheating, or use the separate-pasta method next time.
Can I make it without heavy cream?
You can omit the cream for a lighter broth, although the flavor and texture will change. Half-and-half is another option, but heat it gently.
Is this soup spicy?
It is mild without the optional red pepper flakes. Check your sun-dried tomatoes and seasonings, and serve extra chili flakes separately.
Made This Marry Me Chicken Soup?
💬 Tell us your pasta choice
Ditalini or small shells? Leave a rating and tell us how you served your soup.
📌 Save your next soup night
Pin this recipe to your Easy Dinner Recipes board.
📸 Show us your bowl
Tag @TastyDinnerRecipes on Instagram so we can see your version.
