Marry Me Chicken Soup (Printer-friendly)

Tender chicken and sun-dried tomatoes in a creamy broth with ditalini pasta and herbs.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1 lb)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

05 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
06 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
08 - 2 celery stalks, diced
09 - 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped

→ Broth & Dairy

10 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
11 - 1 cup water
12 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
13 - 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

→ Pasta

14 - 3/4 cup ditalini pasta

→ Herbs & Seasonings

15 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
16 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
17 - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
18 - 1 bay leaf
19 - Fresh basil, for garnish

# Steps:

01 - Season chicken breasts with kosher salt and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sear chicken breasts for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden but not fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
02 - Add diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until vegetables soften. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes, dried oregano, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes if using, combining thoroughly.
04 - Pour in chicken broth and water. Add the bay leaf. Return the seared chicken breasts to the pot.
05 - Bring to a gentle boil then reduce to a simmer. Cook uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
06 - Remove chicken breasts and shred them with two forks. Return shredded chicken to the pot.
07 - Stir in ditalini pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until al dente.
08 - Lower heat to a gentle simmer and discard the bay leaf. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until fully melted and integrated.
09 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh basil.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • It delivers all the creamy, tangy comfort of Marry Me Chicken but in a form you can spoon up on cold nights.
  • The sun-dried tomatoes add bursts of sweetness that make every bite feel intentional.
  • Its forgiving enough for a weeknight yet impressive enough to serve when someone you care about comes over.
02 -
  • Don't skip searing the chicken, it adds a layer of flavor you can't get from boiling it straight in the broth.
  • Add the cream at the very end over low heat, or it will break and look curdled instead of silky.
  • If you're meal prepping, cook the pasta separately and add it to individual portions, otherwise it will soak up all the broth overnight.
03 -
  • Taste the broth after adding the Parmesan, the cheese is salty and you might not need any extra seasoning.
  • If the soup thickens too much as it sits, thin it with a little broth or water and it will come right back.
  • Fresh basil really does make a difference, dried basil won't give you that same bright, aromatic finish.
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