Description
Marry Me Chicken Soup is a creamy, comforting one-pot meal combining tender shredded chicken, savory sun-dried tomatoes, flavorful seasonings, and tender gnocchi in a rich broth enhanced with half-and-half and Parmesan cheese. This easy stovetop recipe offers a balanced blend of textures and tastes that make it perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Base 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)
Protein and Liquids
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 6 cups chicken broth (48 oz.)
Additional Ingredients
- 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, sautéing for about 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add Seasonings and 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 thoroughly.
- Prepare Chicken and Broth: Nestle the whole boneless skinless chicken breasts into the pot, then pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 12-15 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F to ensure safety.
- Shred Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken breasts from the pot and carefully shred the meat using two forks. Return the shredded chicken back to the pot.
- Cook Gnocchi: Stir in the shelf-stable gnocchi and cook for 3-4 minutes or until the gnocchi float to the surface and become tender.
- Add Dairy and Spinach: Incorporate the half-and-half, grated Parmesan cheese, and the thawed, squeezed-dry frozen spinach. Heat the soup through gently without allowing it to come to a boil to prevent curdling.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, optionally topped with additional Parmesan cheese or fresh basil leaves for extra flavor and garnish.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
- Do not boil the soup after adding half-and-half to avoid curdling.
- Thaw and thoroughly squeeze out frozen spinach to prevent excess water diluting the soup.
- Gnocchi can be replaced with other small pasta shapes if preferred.
- Use fresh basil as a garnish to add a burst of herbal freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken Soup, creamy chicken soup, gnocchi soup, one pot meal, chicken and sun dried tomato soup
