Description
Marry Me Chicken Soup is a creamy, flavorful soup featuring tender chicken breasts simmered with aromatic garlic, onions, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes in a rich broth with diced tomatoes. Finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh spinach, this hearty soup delivers comfort and elegance in every bite, perfect for a cozy meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Soup Base
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
Finishing Ingredients
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups spinach leaves
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat to prepare for browning the chicken.
- Cook the chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then add them to the pot and cook until browned on both sides, about 5-7 minutes per side, developing flavor and sealing juices.
- Set chicken aside: Remove the browned chicken from the pot and set it aside to be added back later.
- Sauté the onion: In the same pot, add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes, building the aromatic base of the soup.
- Add garlic and spices: Stir in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant to enhance the flavor profile.
- Add liquids: Pour in the chicken broth and diced tomatoes with their juices, bringing all ingredients together in the pot.
- Simmer with chicken: Return the chicken to the pot, bring the mixture to a simmer, cover, and cook for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through.
- Shred chicken: Remove the chicken from the pot, shred it using two forks, then return the shredded chicken to the pot to absorb the flavors.
- Add cream and cheese: Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese to create a creamy texture and rich taste.
- Add spinach: Add the spinach leaves and cook for an additional 5 minutes until wilted, adding freshness and color.
- Season and serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, then serve hot and enjoy this comforting soup.
Notes
- You can use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier result.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control how spicy the soup is.
- To make this soup lighter, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
- Fresh spinach can be substituted with kale or Swiss chard if desired.
- Leftover soup stores well refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
