Easy Marry Me Chicken Soup

Creamy, tangy, umami-packed one-pot Marry Me Chicken Soup with sun-dried tomatoes, pasta, spinach, rotisserie chicken, and Parmesan.

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 31

Total Time 51

Equipment

Large Dutch oven

Ingredients

▢ 1/2 cup drained julienne-cut sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil with herbs from 1 (8.5-ounce) jar
▢ 1 tablespoon oil from sun-dried tomato jar divided
▢ 1 1/2 cups yellow onion chopped (1/4-inch) (from 1 medium [8 ounce] onion)
▢ 4 medium garlic cloves minced (about 4 teaspoons)
▢ 3 tablespoons tomato paste
▢ 2 pkg. chicken broth 32-ounce (8 cups)
▢ 1 cup heavy whipping cream
▢ 4 teaspoons fresh basil chopped, plus more for garnish (optional)
▢ 2 teaspoons kosher salt
▢ 1 1/2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
▢ 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper plus more for garnish
▢ 8 ounces uncooked medium shell pasta about 3 cups
▢ 3 cups fresh baby spinach packed roughly chopped (3 ounces)
▢ 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
▢ 8 ounces cream cheese cubed, at room temperature (about 1 cup)
▢ 1 1/2 ounce Parmesan cheese finely shredded (about 1/2 cup) plus more for garnish
▢ 1 Parmesan rind
▢ 1 teaspoon balsamic glaze

Instructions

Prep and sauté the aromatics

Gather all ingredients so everything is ready to go once the pot is hot.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil from sun-dried tomatoes in a large Dutch oven over medium until shimmering. Add onion and garlic, then cook, stirring often, until softened and fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes.

Build the concentrated tomato base

Add tomato paste and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook, stirring constantly, until the paste turns slightly deeper red, about 2 minutes, looking for a rusty color and a sweeter aroma.
Stir in broth, cream, basil, salt, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper. Bring to a boil over medium, stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes.

Do the glutamate-boosted simmer, then cook the pasta

During this simmer, add a Parmesan rind and a teaspoon of balsamic glaze, then let it boil for the full time so the broth turns extra savory and balanced.
Add pasta and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente, about 12 minutes.

Finish with spinach, chicken, and a creamy emulsion

Reduce heat to low, then add spinach, chicken, cream cheese, and Parmesan. Cook, stirring often, until the cheeses melt smoothly and the chicken is heated through, about 5 minutes.
Garnish with additional Parmesan, basil, and crushed red pepper. Serve immediately.

Notes

For leftovers, pasta will keep absorbing broth. Store pasta separately if possible, and reheat gently over low heat with a splash of broth or milk; avoid boiling once dairy is added.

Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.

Keyword creamy pasta soup, Marry Me Chicken Soup, one-pot soup, rotisserie chicken, sun-dried tomatoes

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