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
Scale
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
