If you’re craving a soup that’s luxurious, comforting, and bursting with so much flavor it might just prompt a proposal, then the Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup: So Good, He’ll Propose! Recipe is exactly what you need in your life. This cozy bowl features tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and a luscious Parmesan-cream broth that’s silky smooth and satisfyingly rich. Every spoonful feels like a warm hug wrapped in Italian-inspired goodness, guaranteed to make any dinner feel special and memorable.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this soup starts with a handful of simple yet powerful ingredients. Each one brings something essential to the table, whether it’s depth of flavor, creamy texture, or vibrant color that makes the dish shine.
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts: Perfectly tender and juicy, thighs add richness while breasts keep it lean, either works beautifully.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes (oil-packed preferred): They pack a concentrated burst of tangy sweetness and a pop of color, along with the fragrant oil enhancing the broth.
- Onion: Adds natural sweetness and a savory base to build layers of flavor.
- Garlic: Brings aromatic warmth that livens up every bite.
- Chicken Broth (high-quality, low-sodium recommended): The heartwarming liquid foundation that carries all the flavors together.
- Heavy Cream: Delivers that indulgent creamy texture that makes this soup unforgettable.
- Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds umami richness and a slightly nutty finish.
- Dried Italian seasoning: A fragrant blend bringing classic Mediterranean herb notes.
- Red pepper flakes: Just a pinch to awaken the palate with gentle heat.
- Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish): Brightens and freshens the final presentation with vibrant green color.
- All-purpose flour: Helps create a silky roux that thickens the soup perfectly.
- Optional: Fresh spinach or finely chopped kale: Adds a healthy, leafy touch and lovely green contrast.
How to Make Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup: So Good, He’ll Propose! Recipe
Step 1: Sear the Chicken to Golden Perfection
Start by drying your boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts and seasoning them liberally with salt and black pepper. Heating a tablespoon of olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, sear the chicken until golden on both sides—not fully cooked, but beautifully browned. This step locks in flavor and creates a gorgeous base for your soup.
Step 2: Sauté Onions, Garlic, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Lower the heat to medium and add another splash of olive oil if needed. Toss in your chopped onions and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the minced garlic along with the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and a spoonful of that flavorful oil. Cook gently for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant, taking care not to let the garlic burn.
Step 3: Create the Roux
Sprinkle the all-purpose flour evenly over the sautéed ingredients. Stir constantly for about a minute to cook off that raw flour taste and build the thickening base for your soup. This roux is the key to that creamy, velvety body you’re aiming for.
Step 4: Add Broth and Seasonings
Slowly pour in the chicken broth while whisking to avoid lumps, allowing the flour to dissolve fully. Stir in your dried Italian seasoning and the red pepper flakes. Bring everything to a gentle simmer, letting those flavors start to mingle and deepen.
Step 5: Simmer the Chicken
Return the seared chicken to the pot, submerging it mostly in the flavorful liquid. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and let it gently simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. This slow cooking ensures the chicken becomes tender and shreds easily.
Step 6: Shred the Chicken
Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a cutting board and shred it into bite-sized pieces using two forks. Set aside while you finish the soup.
Step 7: Enrich the Soup with Cream and Parmesan
Increase the heat back to a gentle simmer and slowly whisk in the heavy cream alongside a generous helping of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. This transforms the broth into a gorgeous, creamy delight. Now is the time to taste and adjust salt and pepper. If you love a bit of green, stir in fresh spinach or kale and let it wilt for a minute.
Step 8: Bring It All Together
Return the shredded chicken to the pot, stir to combine, and let everything heat through for a couple more minutes. Serve steaming hot, garnished with extra Parmesan and sprigs of fresh basil or parsley. Sit back and watch smiles grow with every spoonful of this dreamy dish.
How to Serve Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup: So Good, He’ll Propose! Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan and a handful of fresh basil or parsley brightens both the eyes and the palate. These simple garnishes add a pop of color and fresh herbaceous fragrance that balances the soup’s richness perfectly.
Side Dishes
This soup pairs wonderfully with crusty artisan bread or garlic breadsticks to mop up every last creamy drop. A light side salad with vibrant greens, cherry tomatoes, and a zesty vinaigrette also complements the richness and adds a refreshing contrast to the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a charming touch, serve this soup in rustic bread bowls or individual ramekins topped with a mini sprig of basil. Drizzling a bit of infused olive oil or chili oil on top before serving adds a gourmet touch that will wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After cooling to room temperature, transfer any leftover soup to an airtight container and refrigerate. It will stay delicious for up to 3 days, giving you multiple cozy meals in one.
Freezing
This soup freezes well but avoid adding spinach or kale before freezing as they can affect texture. Freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.
Reheating
Gently reheat on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. You may want to add a splash of broth or cream to loosen the soup if it has thickened during storage.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts work just as well. They’re leaner, so keep an eye on cooking time to avoid drying out. Both create delicious results in this recipe.
What if I don’t have sun-dried tomatoes?
Fresh cherry tomatoes make a decent substitute, but sun-dried tomatoes bring unique sweet tang and texture that really elevate the flavor. Consider grabbing a jar for authenticity.
Is it possible to make this soup dairy-free?
You can swap heavy cream with coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for a dairy-free twist, though the flavor profile will shift slightly but remain delightful.
Can I add other vegetables?
Definitely! Finely chopped carrots, celery, or mushrooms can blend beautifully into this soup, adding extra nutrition and texture without overwhelming the delicate balance.
How spicy is this soup?
The red pepper flakes add just a hint of warmth, enough to gently wake the taste buds without overpowering the creaminess. Adjust the amount to suit your spice preference.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup: So Good, He’ll Propose! Recipe—it’s comfort food elevated to romantic, unforgettable levels. Whether you’re cooking for a special someone or simply treating yourself, this soup delivers heartwarming flavors that feel like a celebration in every bowl. I promise, once you try it, it might even inspire a proposal or two. So grab your ingredients and dive into this cozy culinary love story today!
Print
Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup: So Good, He’ll Propose! Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Salt
Description
Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup is a luscious, comforting dish featuring tender seared chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and a rich Parmesan cream broth. This soup combines savory Italian seasoning with a touch of red pepper flakes to deliver a flavorful, heartwarming meal that’s perfect for sharing and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Soup Base
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, chopped, plus 1 tablespoon oil from jar
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups high-quality, low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Finishing Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: 1 cup fresh spinach or finely chopped kale
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare and Sear Chicken: Pat the chicken dry and season generously with salt and black pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown but not cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Lower heat to medium and add remaining olive oil if needed. Add chopped onion and sauté 5-7 minutes until translucent. Stir in garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and 1 tablespoon of their oil; cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Create Roux: Sprinkle flour over the sautéed mixture and stir constantly for about 1 minute to cook out raw flour taste and thicken the base.
- Add Liquids and Seasoning: Slowly whisk in chicken broth, avoiding lumps. Stir in dried Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer Chicken: Return seared chicken to pot, submerge in liquid, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 15-20 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Shred Chicken: Remove chicken to a cutting board and shred into bite-sized pieces using two forks; set aside.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Increase heat to gentle simmer. Slowly whisk in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until the soup becomes creamy and smooth. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Optionally, stir in spinach or kale and cook until wilted.
- Recombine and Serve: Return shredded chicken to the pot, stir to combine, and heat through for 1-2 minutes. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh basil or parsley. Serve hot and enjoy.
Notes
- Using oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes adds extra richness; if using dry-packed, rehydrate them first.
- Chicken thighs provide more moist, flavorful meat, but breasts can be used for a leaner option.
- Low-sodium chicken broth is recommended to control saltiness.
- Fresh spinach or kale can be added for extra nutrition and color.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to taste for desired heat level.
- For a thicker soup, add an extra tablespoon of flour during roux creation.
