Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe (Creamy, Cozy & Irresistible)

Some recipes whisper comfort. Others spark joy. But every so often, a dish comes along that feels like pure love in a bowl. Marry Me Chicken Soup is exactly that: a dish made to warm your heart and satisfy your cravings.

It’s the soul-warming cousin of the viral Marry Me Chicken, a Tuscan-inspired skillet dish of creamy chicken and sun-dried tomatoes so good, people joked it was “worthy of a proposal.” This soup version takes all those flavors, garlic, Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, cream, and transforms them into a cozy, creamy chicken soup recipe you’ll want to make on repeat. If you love this flavor combo, you’ll also enjoy my Marry Me Chicken Pasta for another cozy dinner idea.

Whether you’re serving it on a chilly weeknight, sharing it with someone special, or ladling out bowls for the whole family, this recipe delivers everything we crave: richness, tang, a touch of spice, and plenty of comfort.

Table of Contents

What Is Marry Me Chicken Soup?

At its heart, Marry Me Chicken Soup is a creamy chicken soup that feels both rustic and indulgent. It blends sun-dried tomatoes, aromatics, pasta, spinach, and Parmesan into a one-pot meal that’s as easy to make as it is impressive to serve.

Unlike plain chicken noodle soup, this one leans Tuscan with basil, garlic, cream cheese, and a splash of cream. It’s hearty thanks to pasta shells, yet still silky from the rich broth. In short, a recipe that feels like a hug, dressed up for date night.

Ingredients for Marry Me Chicken Soup

Here’s the full list: simple pantry staples and fresh add-ins that combine into something magical.

• ½ cup drained julienne-cut sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil with herbs)
• 1 tablespoon oil from sun-dried tomato jar, divided
• 1 ½ cups chopped yellow onion
• 4 medium garlic cloves, minced (about 4 teaspoons)
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 (32-ounce) packages chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 4 teaspoons chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 ½ teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper, plus more for garnish
• 8 ounces uncooked medium shell pasta
• 3 cups packed roughly chopped fresh baby spinach
• 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
• 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed, at room temperature
• 1 ½ ounces Parmesan cheese, finely shredded, plus more for garnish

💡 Ingredient tips & swaps:

• Swap medium shells for gnocchi, tortellini, or egg noodles.
• Use Boursin cheese for a herby twist instead of cream cheese.
• Try a can of cream of chicken or mushroom for a nostalgic shortcut.
• Add mushrooms and white wine for a Tuscan Marry Me Chicken Soup variation.

How to Make Marry Me Chicken Soup (Step-by-Step)

1. Start with the aromatics
Heat about 2 teaspoons of oil from the sun-dried tomato jar in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. When it shimmers, stir in onion and garlic, cooking until soft and fragrant, about 3 to 4 minutes.

2. Build the tomato base
Add the tomato paste and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Stir constantly for 2 minutes until the paste deepens in color and clings to the pan.

3. Simmer the broth
Pour in chicken broth, then add cream, basil, salt, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper. Stir well and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, about 10 to 12 minutes.

4. Cook the pasta
Add the shell pasta. Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 12 minutes.

5. Make it creamy and hearty
Reduce the heat to low. Stir in spinach, shredded chicken, cream cheese cubes, and Parmesan. Cook 5 minutes, stirring often, until the cheeses melt and the chicken is warmed through.

6. Taste and serve
Adjust seasoning as needed. Ladle into bowls, then top with extra Parmesan, basil, and crushed red pepper. Serve immediately with crusty bread.

Crockpot Marry Me Chicken Soup (Slow Cooker Version)

One of the best things about Marry Me Chicken Soup is how easily it adapts to a slow cooker. The slow simmer allows the flavors of sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and herbs to deepen beautifully while the chicken becomes tender and juicy.

To make it in your crockpot, start by adding onion, garlic, tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes, broth, and all the seasonings straight into the pot. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, depending on your schedule. For the best texture, cook the pasta separately on the stovetop, then stir it in at the end along with the cream, cheeses, spinach, and shredded chicken. This way, the pasta doesn’t overcook and your soup stays luxuriously creamy.

The result is a cozy, creamy chicken soup with all the signature Marry Me flavors, ready to ladle into bowls the moment you walk in the door.

Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Soup

If you’re short on time but still craving comfort, the Instant Pot makes Marry Me Chicken Soup come together in a fraction of the usual cooking time.

Start by using the Sauté function to cook the onion, garlic, and tomato paste until fragrant. This step builds a flavorful base that makes the broth taste like it’s been simmering for hours. Next, add the broth, sun-dried tomatoes, seasonings, and pasta, then cook on High Pressure for 5 minutes before doing a quick release.

Once the lid comes off, stir in the cream cheese, heavy cream, Parmesan, shredded chicken, and fresh spinach. The heat of the soup melts everything together into a silky, creamy broth with tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta. In just about 20 minutes, you’ll have a cozy bowl of Marry Me Chicken Soup that tastes every bit as indulgent as the stovetop version.

Healthy and Dietary Adaptations

• Keto / Low-Carb Marry Me Chicken Soup: Replace pasta with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
• Gluten-Free Marry Me Chicken Soup: Use gluten-free pasta or swap in white rice.
• Dairy-Free Marry Me Chicken Soup: Replace cream with coconut milk, cream cheese with dairy-free cream cheese, and Parmesan with nutritional yeast.
• High-Protein Marry Me Chicken Soup: Add extra chicken or stir in ricotta.

Delicious Flavor Variations

• Marry Me Chicken Soup with Potatoes: add diced Yukon gold potatoes and cook until tender.
• Marry Me Chicken Soup with Gnocchi: swap the pasta for a pillowy variation.
• Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Soup:
• Marry Me Chicken Soup with Boursin Cheese: herby, creamy, and irresistible.
• Classic Chicken Noodle Soup Twist: replace shells with egg noodles for a nostalgic vibe.

Want to explore more? Try my Marry Me Salmon Recipe for a seafood twist, or my Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe when you’re craving something rich yet quick.

Serving Ideas for Marry Me Chicken Soup

Marry Me Chicken Soup is rich and satisfying on its own, but pairing it with the right side makes the meal feel complete. Here are a few simple ideas:

• Garlic bread or warm rolls – perfect for soaking up every drop of the creamy broth.
• A crisp arugula or mixed green salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the richness.
• Parmesan crisps or garlic croutons for a crunchy topping that adds texture.

These sides keep the focus on the cozy, creamy soup while rounding out the table with freshness and crunch.

Storage and Leftovers

Like most soups, Marry Me Chicken Soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When reheating, warm it gently on the stovetop and add a splash of broth or cream to bring back its silky texture.

For longer storage, freeze the soup for up to 3 months, but do so before adding pasta and dairy. This keeps the texture smooth and prevents the pasta from becoming mushy. Simply stir in the cream, cheese, and pasta after reheating for a fresh, just-made taste.

FAQ About Marry Me Chicken Soup