Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe
Introduction
Marry Me Chicken Soup is a comforting and creamy dish packed with tender chicken, savory sun-dried tomatoes, and fluffy gnocchi. This flavorful soup comes together easily, making it perfect for cozy dinners any night of the week.

Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp oil from sundried tomatoes
- 1 onion (1½ cup, 270g, diced)
- 1 Tbsp garlic (minced)
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper (freshly cracked)
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup sun dried tomatoes in oil (35g, chopped)
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 6 cups chicken broth (48 oz.)
- 16 oz. gnocchi (shelf stable)
- ¾ cup half-and-half (6 oz.)
- ⅓ cup Parmesan (grated, 30g)
- 1 cup frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed dry, 30g)
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat the sun-dried tomato oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing for about 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in the tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the tomato paste darkens and caramelizes, coating all ingredients evenly.
- Step 3: Nestle the whole chicken breasts into the pot and pour in the chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Step 4: Remove the chicken breasts carefully and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot.
- Step 5: Stir in the gnocchi and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until they float to the surface and become tender.
- Step 6: Add the half-and-half, grated Parmesan, and the squeezed-dry spinach. Heat through gently without bringing the soup back to a boil.
- Step 7: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, topped with extra Parmesan or fresh basil if desired.
Tips & Variations
- Use fresh basil or parsley as a garnish for added freshness and color.
- Swap half-and-half for heavy cream for a richer soup.
- For a vegetarian version, replace chicken with white beans and use vegetable broth.
- Make sure to squeeze the thawed spinach well to avoid excess liquid in the soup.
Storage
Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring occasionally. If the soup thickens too much when chilled, add a splash of broth or water when reheating.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of sun-dried tomatoes?
Fresh tomatoes won’t provide the same concentrated flavor as sun-dried tomatoes, but you can use them if you prefer. Roast or sauté fresh tomatoes to intensify their flavor before adding them.
What type of gnocchi works best in this soup?
Shelf stable gnocchi is convenient and cooks quickly, but fresh or frozen gnocchi can also be used. Just adjust cooking time accordingly until they float and become tender.
Print
Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A creamy, comforting Marry Me Chicken Soup featuring tender shredded chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, gnocchi, and spinach simmered in a flavorful broth enriched with half-and-half and Parmesan cheese. This easy stovetop recipe is perfect for a cozy meal that combines Italian-inspired flavors with hearty ingredients.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp oil from sundried tomatoes
- 1 onion (1½ cup, 270g, diced)
- 1 Tbsp garlic (minced)
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper (freshly cracked)
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup sun dried tomatoes in oil (35g, chopped)
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 6 cups chicken broth (48 oz.)
- 16 oz. gnocchi (shelf stable)
- ¾ cup half-and-half (6 oz.)
- ⅓ cup Parmesan (grated, 30g)
- 1 cup frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed dry, 30g)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the sun-dried tomato oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic and sauté for about 5 minutes, until the onion is softened and fragrant.
- Add Seasonings and Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Stir in the tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the tomato paste darkens and caramelizes, coating all ingredients well.
- Add Chicken and Broth: Nestle the whole chicken breasts into the pot and pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the pot carefully. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces and then return it to the pot.
- Cook Gnocchi: Stir in the gnocchi and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until they float to the surface and become tender.
- Add Dairy and Spinach: Add the half-and-half, grated Parmesan cheese, and the thawed, squeezed-dry spinach to the soup. Heat through gently without bringing the soup back to a boil to prevent curdling.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve the soup hot, optionally topped with extra Parmesan or fresh basil for garnish.
Notes
- Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
- You can substitute gnocchi with small pasta like orzo or tortellini if preferred.
- For a dairy-free version, replace half-and-half and Parmesan with coconut milk and nutritional yeast.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt content.
- Fresh spinach can be substituted for frozen; just add it near the end and cook until wilted.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken Soup, Creamy Chicken Soup, Gnocchi Soup, Sun-Dried Tomato Soup, Comfort Food, Easy Chicken Soup

