Marry Me Chicken Soup (Printable)

Tender chicken and sun-dried tomatoes simmered with herbs, pasta, and creamy broth for a cozy meal.

# What you need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1 lb)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

05 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
06 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
08 - 2 celery stalks, diced
09 - 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped

→ Broth & Dairy

10 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
11 - 1 cup water
12 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
13 - 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

→ Pasta

14 - 3/4 cup ditalini pasta

→ Herbs & Seasonings

15 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
16 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
17 - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
18 - 1 bay leaf
19 - Fresh basil, for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Sear chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden but not fully cooked. Remove chicken and set aside.
02 - Add diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, dried oregano, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir well to combine.
04 - Pour in chicken broth and water. Add bay leaf and return chicken breasts to the pot. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and vegetables are tender.
05 - Remove chicken breasts and shred them using two forks. Return shredded chicken to the pot.
06 - Stir in ditalini pasta and cook for 8–10 minutes until al dente.
07 - Lower heat to a gentle simmer and remove bay leaf. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until fully melted and combined.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh basil.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It takes the rich, tangy flavors of Marry Me Chicken and turns them into a cozy, spoonable meal that feels like a hug in a bowl.
  • The soup comes together in under an hour with straightforward steps and ingredients you probably already have on hand.
  • It's hearty enough to satisfy on its own, but elegant enough to serve when you want to impress without the stress.
02 -
  • Don't skip searing the chicken, that golden crust adds a layer of flavor you can't get any other way.
  • Add the cream at the very end over low heat or it can break and look grainy instead of silky.
  • If you're meal prepping, store the pasta separately and add it when you reheat or it will soak up all the broth and turn mushy.
03 -
  • Taste the soup before adding salt, the Parmesan and broth already bring plenty of seasoning.
  • Use kitchen shears to snip the sun-dried tomatoes right in the jar, it's faster and less messy than chopping on a board.
  • If you like more tang, squeeze in a little lemon juice just before serving to brighten everything up.
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