If you’re craving a dish that wraps you in warmth and comfort, wait until you try the Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup: So Good, He’ll Propose! Recipe. This soup is a luscious blend of tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes bursting with flavor, and a dreamy creamy broth enriched with Parmesan and herbs. Every spoonful offers such a perfect balance of richness and freshness that it’s no surprise this recipe is loved by all who taste it. Whether you’re serving it on a chilly evening or surprising someone special, it’s a cozy, crave-worthy bowl that truly speaks the language of love in food.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple yet thoughtfully chosen ingredients is the key to nailing this recipe. Each component plays a vital role: from infusing deep flavor and creating the perfect creamy texture to adding vibrant color and a touch of spice.
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts: Choose thighs for extra juiciness or breasts for a leaner option, both work beautifully.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes (oil-packed preferred): These add a tangy, concentrated tomato flavor that elevates the soup instantly.
- Onion: Provides a savory base and gentle sweetness when sautéed.
- Garlic: Brings warmth and an aromatic depth essential for this soup.
- Chicken Broth (high-quality, low-sodium recommended): The backbone of your soup, choose a rich broth for the best flavor.
- Heavy Cream: Creates that velvety, luscious texture everyone will adore.
- Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty finish that makes the soup sing.
- Dried Italian seasoning: Blends classic herbs for an irresistible aroma and taste.
- Red pepper flakes: Just a pinch for a subtle kick of heat, balancing out the creaminess.
- Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish): Adds freshness and a pop of color at the end.
- All-purpose flour: Used to thicken the soup gently for the perfect consistency.
- Optional: Fresh spinach or finely chopped kale: A lovely way to sneak in some greens and extra texture.
How to Make Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup: So Good, He’ll Propose! Recipe
Step 1: Sear the Chicken to Golden Perfection
Pat your chicken dry and season it generously — this step helps you build layers of flavor from the start. Searing the chicken in a hot pan develops a gorgeous golden crust, locking in juices and adding a deep savory note. Trust me, this little extra effort at the beginning makes all the difference later!
Step 2: Sauté Onions, Garlic, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
After removing the chicken, lower the heat and add your onions, letting them soften and develop sweetness. Then toss in aromatic garlic and those flavorful sun-dried tomatoes, including a spoonful of their oil for that incredible richness. This trio creates the heart of your soup’s flavor foundation.
Step 3: Create the Roux for Creamy Body
Sprinkle the flour over the softened veggies and stir continuously to cook it out and form a roux. This thickening agent ensures your soup has that luscious, creamy texture without being too thin or runny. It’s a little technique that goes a long way toward making this soup irresistibly silky.
Step 4: Add Broth and Seasonings to Simmer
Pour in the chicken broth slowly while whisking, assuring a smooth blend. Add your dried Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes to infuse layers of herbs with a subtle spice. Bring everything to a gentle simmer to meld the flavors beautifully.
Step 5: Simmer the Chicken Until Tender
Return the seared chicken to the pot, cover, and lower the heat. This slow simmer cooks the chicken through perfectly, infusing it with the rich broth flavors and making it so tender it falls apart easily. This step is the magic that turns simple chicken into comfort food gold.
Step 6: Shred the Chicken with Love
Once cooked, remove the chicken and shred it into bite-sized pieces with forks. This shredded chicken mixes more evenly throughout the soup, ensuring each spoonful is packed with hearty protein.
Step 7: Whisk in Cream and Parmesan
Turn the heat back up to a gentle simmer and add your heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese gradually, stirring constantly. This transforms the broth into a velvety, rich concoction that coats the chicken perfectly. If you’re adding spinach or kale, stir them in here and let them wilt gently.
Step 8: Return Chicken and Serve Hot
Stir the shredded chicken back into the creamy broth, combine everything, and let it warm up for a final minute or two. Then, it’s ready to ladle into bowls and enjoy the incredible flavors you’ve created. Your Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup: So Good, He’ll Propose! Recipe is now ready to wow everyone at the table.
How to Serve Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup: So Good, He’ll Propose! Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped basil or parsley adds a bright, fresh contrast that complements the rich soup beautifully. A little extra Parmesan cheese on top brings an irresistible finishing touch that will have everyone digging in eagerly.
Side Dishes
This soup is wonderful on its own but pairs spectacularly well with crusty artisan bread or warm garlic knots for dipping. A simple mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette can bring a refreshing balance to the creamy richness.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the soup in rustic, deep bowls to highlight its heartiness. For a fun touch, swirl a drizzle of pesto on top or add a few toasted pine nuts for extra texture. If entertaining, offer small bowls of garnishes so everyone personalizes their own bowl—talk about a crowd-pleaser!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place leftover soup in airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors will develop even more in that time, making it an ideal make-ahead comfort meal.
Freezing
This Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup: So Good, He’ll Propose! Recipe freezes well, but keep in mind the cream may separate slightly upon thawing. To prevent this, cool the soup completely before freezing it in freezer-safe containers, and consider adding cream fresh when reheating.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring often to keep the soup smooth. If it thickens too much, add a splash of broth or cream to loosen it up. Avoid microwaving at high power to maintain the creamy texture.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts can be used if you prefer leaner meat. Just be careful not to overcook them to keep them tender—thighs just naturally stay juicier during simmering.
Is sun-dried tomato oil necessary for the recipe?
Using the oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes adds wonderful extra flavor and richness. If you only have dry-pack tomatoes, consider adding a tablespoon of olive oil to mimic that depth.
Can I substitute heavy cream with a lighter option?
You can use half-and-half or whole milk, but keep in mind the soup won’t be as rich and silky. For the most indulgent texture, heavy cream is ideal.
How spicy is this soup?
The red pepper flakes add just a mild hint of heat that balances the creamy richness nicely. If you prefer no spice, simply omit them without losing any essential flavor.
Can I add more vegetables to this soup?
Definitely! Fresh spinach or kale are lovely options to add some greens. You might also try mushrooms or zucchini, but add them during the sauté step for best results.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something undeniably comforting and impressive about the Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup: So Good, He’ll Propose! Recipe. It’s a heartwarming meal that feels nurturing and special all at once. Whether you’re sharing it with family, an old friend, or someone new, it’s guaranteed to create smiles and second helpings. Go ahead and make it—you’ll see why this soup earns its sweet, unforgettable name.
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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-inspired American
Description
This Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup is a rich and comforting dish featuring tender seared chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and a luscious creamy broth enriched with Parmesan cheese and Italian seasonings. Perfect for a cozy meal that’s so delicious, it might just inspire a proposal!
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Sauté Base
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (oil-packed, plus 1 tablespoon oil reserved)
Soup Base
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken broth (preferably low-sodium, high-quality)
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
Creamy Finish
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: 1 cup fresh spinach or finely chopped kale
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
- Additional grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare and Sear Chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and black pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove from pot and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Lower heat to medium. If needed, add a bit more olive oil. Add chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes with a spoonful of reserved oil; cook for 1-2 minutes until garlic is fragrant.
- Create Roux: Sprinkle flour over the sautéed onion, garlic, and tomatoes. Stir constantly for about 1 minute to cook the flour and form a roux that will thicken the soup.
- Add Broth and Seasonings: Slowly whisk in the chicken broth to avoid lumps. Stir in dried Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer Chicken: Return seared chicken to the pot, submerging it mostly in the liquid. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and tender enough to shred.
- Shred Chicken: Remove chicken from pot and shred into bite-sized pieces using two forks. Set aside.
- Add Cream and Cheese: With the pot back at a gentle simmer, slowly whisk in heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese until the soup becomes creamy and smooth. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. If using, stir in fresh spinach or kale and allow it to wilt for 1-2 minutes.
- Combine and Serve: Return shredded chicken to the pot and stir to combine. 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
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for more tender and flavorful meat, but breasts work fine as well.
- Oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes add more flavor; reserve some oil for cooking.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your desired heat level.
- Adding fresh spinach or kale boosts nutrition and adds color.
- This soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and use a vegan Parmesan alternative.
