Description
Marry Me Chicken Soup is a creamy and comforting Italian-inspired soup packed with tender shredded chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and a hint of heat from red pepper flakes. This hearty soup combines savory flavors with tender shell pasta and a luscious Parmesan cream sauce, perfect for warming up any day.
Ingredients
Scale
Base and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Broth and Seasonings
- 6-8 cups chicken stock
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Pasta and Dairy
- 8 ounces uncooked shell pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup freshly chopped basil leaves
Instructions
- Prepare Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onions and minced garlic, cooking for 5-6 minutes until they become soft and fragrant.
- Simmer Soup Base: Pour in the chicken stock, then stir in the tomato paste, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Add the uncooked shell pasta and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes until the pasta is nearly tender.
- Add Cream and Chicken: Stir in the heavy cream, shredded cooked chicken, and fresh spinach leaves. Continue cooking until the spinach wilts and the pasta reaches al dente texture.
- Finish and Season: Remove the pot from heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and freshly chopped basil leaves. Taste and season with salt and black pepper as desired before serving.
Notes
- For a lower calorie version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or evaporated milk.
- Use freshly cooked chicken or leftover rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the level of spiciness in the soup.
- Serve with additional Parmesan and fresh basil on top for extra flavor.
- This soup freezes well; store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
