Name: Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 (8 oz) jar sun-dried tomatoes in oil; 1 large yellow onion, diced; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 (6 oz) jar tomato paste; 2 (32 oz) cartons chicken broth; 1 cup heavy cream; 2 teaspoons kosher salt; 1 ½ teaspoons dried Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon dried basil; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 8 oz uncooked bowtie pasta; 3 cups packed baby spinach; 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken; 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, room temperature; ½ cup grated parmesan cheese

If you’re looking for something that transforms a simple chicken soup into a rich, creamy, and downright irresistible meal, this Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe is your new go-to. I absolutely love how this soup blends the tanginess of sun-dried tomatoes, the creaminess of cheese, and the comfort of hearty chicken and pasta—it’s the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. Trust me, once you try it, you might just find yourself making it a regular in your rotation!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Rich, Creamy Flavor: The combination of cream cheese, heavy cream, and parmesan creates a luscious, velvety broth you won’t find in your average chicken soup.
Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples and easy-to-find items like sun-dried tomatoes and bowtie pasta for a fancy taste without the fuss.
Hearty & Filling: Pasta, spinach, and shredded chicken make this soup a complete, satisfying meal perfect for any day.
Family Favorite: My own family goes crazy for this one, and I bet yours will too—it’s comforting yet exciting!

A white bowl filled with creamy orange soup showing soft, smooth texture mixed with small bits. Floating on top are three bright green basil leaves, and some finely grated white cheese. A spoon is lifting a piece of pasta shaped like a small bowtie, covered evenly with the soup. In the background, the edge of a white pot is seen, and the whole setting rests on a white marbled surface with a striped cloth nearby. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Marry Me Chicken Soup, creamy chicken soup with sun-dried tomatoes, hearty chicken pasta soup, comforting chicken and cheese soup, easy chicken soup recipes

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient here plays a role in building layers of flavor and texture to make this Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe so special. I recommend grabbing sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for that intense, tangy punch and good quality chicken broth for the base. A few herbs and spices round everything out beautifully.

Flat lay of vibrant sun-dried tomatoes, a whole yellow onion, several garlic cloves, a smooth dollop of rich tomato paste, fresh baby spinach leaves, shredded cooked chicken, a block of creamy cream cheese, and a small pile of grated parmesan cheese, all beautifully arranged in a balanced composition with contrasting colors and textures, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Marry Me Chicken Soup, creamy chicken soup with sun-dried tomatoes, hearty chicken pasta soup, comforting chicken and cheese soup, easy chicken soup recipes

Sun-dried tomatoes in oil: Adds concentrated tomato flavor and richness; drain some oil into the pot for a flavorful start.
Yellow onion: A sweet, aromatic base that softens and balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
Garlic cloves: Fresh minced garlic brings warmth and depth, but don’t let it burn!
Tomato paste: Intensifies the tomato flavor and helps thicken the broth slightly.
Chicken broth: The heart of the soup’s liquid; use a good quality or homemade for the best taste.
Heavy cream: Adds creaminess and smooth texture; use full-fat for richness.
Kosher salt: Essential for seasoning—start with less and adjust to taste as you go.
Dried Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that brings classic Mediterranean flavor.
Dried basil: Enhances the tomato notes perfectly.
Onion powder: Boosts the onion flavor without overpowering the soup.
Red pepper flakes: Adds just the right amount of heat to wake up your taste buds.
Bowtie pasta: Cooked right in the broth, it soaks up all those delicious flavors.
Baby spinach: Fresh greens that wilt perfectly into the warm soup.
Cooked, shredded chicken: A hearty protein element; leftover rotisserie chicken works great here!
Cream cheese: Room temperature is key to easily melt and thicken the soup with a tangy, creamy finish.
Grated parmesan cheese: Stirred in at the end for extra savory goodness and a slightly nutty taste.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the reasons I adore this Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe is how flexible it is. You can easily customize it to suit what’s in your fridge or your family’s preferences—making it perfect for weeknight dinners or even entertaining.

Vegetarian Version: Swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth and omit the chicken, or use chickpeas for protein—still rich and satisfying.
Spicier Version: If you love heat, double up the red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce just before serving; I do this when I want a kick!
Different Pasta: If you don’t have bowtie pasta on hand, penne or rotini work just as well and soak up the broth nicely.
Extra Veggies: Toss in diced carrots or mushrooms when you add the onions for an even heartier soup.

How to Make Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics in Sun-Dried Tomato Oil

Start by draining the oil from your jar of sun-dried tomatoes into your Dutch oven or a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. This oil is packed with flavor, so it’s the perfect way to kick off this soup. Once the oil is hot—shimmering, but not smoking—add the diced onion. After about 2 minutes, add the minced garlic and cook everything for about 3 minutes, stirring often. You’ll know it’s ready when the onions turn translucent and soft, and the garlic fills the kitchen with that irresistible aroma.

Step 2: Mix in Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Tomato Paste

Roughly chop your drained sun-dried tomatoes and add them to the pot with the tomato paste. Stir continuously for 1 to 2 minutes—this little step deepens the flavor and darkens the tomato paste, creating that rich, intense base that makes this soup stand out. Patience here pays off!

Step 3: Pour Broth and Add Seasonings

Slowly add your chicken broth to the pot while stirring so everything blends smoothly. Then, sprinkle in the kosher salt, Italian seasoning, dried basil, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes to marry all those flavors together. It’s gonna smell amazing by this point—don’t sneak a taste yet, though!

Step 4: Cook the Pasta Directly in the Soup

Add the bowtie pasta right into the simmering soup and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the pasta is perfectly al dente. Cooking pasta in the broth makes it absorb all that flavor, so resist the urge to drain it. Stir occasionally to keep the pasta from sticking to the bottom.

Step 5: Stir in Cream, Greens, Chicken, and Cream Cheese

Turn the heat down to low and add the heavy cream, fresh baby spinach, shredded chicken, and cream cheese. Stir well to combine; you’ll see the cream cheese melt into the broth, making it luxuriously creamy. Let it cook for another 5 minutes so the spinach wilts and chicken warms through. This is when it all comes together into a cozy, flavorful bowl of goodness.

Step 6: Finish with Parmesan and Serve Hot

Right before serving, sprinkle the soup with grated parmesan cheese to add a savory, slightly nutty finish. Give it one last gentle stir and ladle into bowls. Trust me, this soup tastes best piping hot—perfect for chilly nights or anytime you want to impress someone special!

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Pro Tips for Making Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe

Use the Sun-Dried Tomato Oil: Don’t throw away that tasty oil in the jar—it’s full of flavor and gives your soup a beautiful base.
Avoid Overcooking Pasta: Pasta continues to soften as it sits in the hot soup, so cook it just shy of al dente to keep the texture perfect later.
Room Temperature Cream Cheese: Let cream cheese come to room temperature so it melts smoothly without clumps in your soup.
Season Gradually: Add salt slowly and taste as you go—this soup can get salty quickly with cheese and broth, so adjust carefully.

How to Serve Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe

Garnishes

I love finishing this soup with a sprinkle of extra parmesan and a handful of fresh chopped basil or parsley if you have it on hand—it adds a bright freshness that cuts beautifully through the richness. A tiny drizzle of good olive oil on top also makes it feel extra special.

Side Dishes

This soup is pretty filling on its own, but I like to serve it with a simple green salad tossed in a lemon vinaigrette for contrast. You could also pair it with crusty garlic bread to soak up all that creamy broth—trust me, those sops are not to be missed!

Creative Ways to Present

For a cozy dinner party, I’ve ladled this Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe into small, rustic bowls and topped each with a colorful swirl of pesto or a few sun-dried tomato halves. Garnishing with edible flowers can also impress your guests and brighten the table — soup doesn’t have to be boring!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually transfer leftover soup to an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen after a day, so leftovers can be even better than the first serving!

Freezing

This soup freezes well if you want to save some for later. I recommend freezing it without the pasta (add fresh pasta when reheating) to keep texture from becoming mushy. Just cool it completely, then freeze in portions for up to 3 months.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring often until warmed through. If frozen, add fresh pasta near the end of reheating and cook until tender. Adding a splash of chicken broth while reheating helps restore creamy consistency.

FAQs

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of sun-dried tomatoes in the Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe?

Fresh tomatoes won’t provide the same concentrated sweet-tart flavor or richness that sun-dried tomatoes add to this soup. If you want to use fresh tomatoes, consider roasting them first to intensify their flavor, but the soup will taste different and less robust. Sun-dried tomatoes are key to that signature taste here.
Is it necessary to use cream cheese in this recipe?

The cream cheese is what gives the soup its signature creamy texture and slightly tangy flavor that balances the tomatoes. While you can skip it, the soup will be thinner and less rich. If avoiding cream cheese, try substituting with mascarpone or a soft mild cheese, but it won’t be quite the same.
What type of chicken works best for this soup?

Cooked, shredded chicken is best—rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut and adds plenty of flavor. You can also poach your own chicken breasts or thighs in broth, then shred them. Using pre-cooked chicken helps keep the soup easy and quick without sacrificing taste.
Can I make the Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe dairy-free?

Making this soup dairy-free would mean omitting the cream cheese, heavy cream, and parmesan, which are central to the creamy texture and flavor. You can try replacing with coconut milk and dairy-free cream cheese alternatives, but it will result in a very different soup. For great results, stick to the original dairy ingredients.
How long does the soup take to prepare and cook?

From start to finish, this Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe takes about 35 minutes, making it a perfect option for a comforting meal that doesn’t keep you tied to the kitchen all day.

Final Thoughts

This Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe has become my secret weapon for cozy dinners that feel extra special without a ton of effort. The balance between creamy, tangy, and savory flavors is absolute perfection, and I love how it’s so versatile you can tweak it for whatever you have on hand. If you want a soup that’ll have people begging for seconds and maybe even asking for the recipe, this one is a must-try. Grab those sun-dried tomatoes and creamy cheese, and let me know how it turns out for you!