Description
Warm your heart and soul with this Rich and Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup. Packed with tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, hearty pasta, and a luscious creamy broth, this recipe promises to delight your taste buds and bring loved ones together. It’s the perfect choice for cozy dinners or special gatherings!
Ingredients
For the Chicken and Vegetables:
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 to 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (divided)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ cup diced carrots
- ½ cup diced celery
- ½ cup diced onions
- ¼ cup diced sun-dried tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
For the Broth and Soup Base:
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste (optional)
- 6 to 8 cups chicken broth
- 6 oz small pasta shells or your favorite pasta
For Creaminess and Flavor:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ to 1 cup grated Parmesan Reggiano cheese
- 2 ½ to 3 cups fresh spinach
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Heat olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add the diced chicken, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
- Sauté for 4–5 minutes until browned. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Cook the Vegetables:
- In the same pot, add onions, carrots, celery, sun-dried tomatoes, and garlic.
- Sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add the Flour:
- Sprinkle flour over the vegetables, stirring to coat evenly.
- If using tomato paste, add it now and mix thoroughly.
- Pour in the Broth:
- Gradually whisk in chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze and incorporate all the flavors.
- Adjust the broth quantity based on your preferred soup thickness.
- Simmer with Pasta:
- Bring the soup to a boil and add pasta, the remaining Italian seasoning, and the cooked chicken.
- Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 15–20 minutes until the pasta is tender and flavors meld.
- Finish with Cream and Cheese:
- Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy whipping cream and Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated.
- Add Spinach:
- Gently fold in fresh spinach leaves and let them wilt for 2–3 minutes.
- Serve:
- Ladle the soup into bowls, ensuring each serving has chicken, pasta, and spinach. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Italian