Have you been looking for a recipe so captivating, so comforting, and so utterly delicious that it could supposedly lead to a proposal? While it may sound like something from a storybook, the legend of “Marry Me Chicken” is quite real, and we’ve taken its incredible essence and transformed it into the ultimate comfort food: Marry Me Chicken Soup. This is no ordinary soup; it’s a decadent, creamy, and flavour-rich bowl of happiness designed to capture hearts and delight the senses. If you’re after one of the most delightful romantic dinner ideas that is simple to prepare yet destined to impress, your search ends here.

We’re capturing all the hallmark flavours of the original Tuscan-inspired chicken dish—succulent chicken, vibrant sun-dried tomatoes, fragrant herbs, and a wonderfully luxurious cream sauce—and reimagining them as a soul-soothing soup. It’s the ideal meal for a cosy evening, a special celebration, or any moment you wish to treat yourself and your loved ones to something truly exceptional. Let’s head to the kitchen and create a bowl of pure culinary love.

What Exactly Is Marry Me Chicken Soup?

Marry Me Chicken Soup is the wonderful, spoonable version of the viral internet sensation, “Marry Me Chicken.” The original recipe involves chicken breasts simmered in a sumptuous cream sauce loaded with sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs. It famously got its name from the abundance of anecdotes about proposals following the meal!

We recognised the sheer brilliance of that flavour profile and wondered, “How could we make this even more comforting?” From that thought, this soup was created. It beautifully captures the spirit of a Tuscan chicken soup with its rustic yet sophisticated ingredients. We bring together juicy morsels of chicken, a savoury chicken broth enriched with double cream and Parmesan, sweet and tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and wilted spinach for a vibrant finishing touch. It’s a wholly satisfying meal all in one bowl.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Incredibly Flavourful: The harmony of savoury chicken, piquant Parmesan, zesty sun-dried tomatoes, and aromatic herbs delivers a sophisticated and deeply satisfying taste. Each spoonful is a true pleasure.
• Quick and Easy One-Pot Meal: The entire dish is prepared in a single pot in less than 45 minutes. This translates to minimal washing-up and maximum enjoyment of your culinary masterpiece.
• Restaurant-Quality at Home: This soup has the taste and feel of a dish from a high-end Italian bistro, yet it is astonishingly straightforward to create in your own home. It’s perfect for impressing someone special!
• Wonderfully Versatile: Feel free to customise this recipe to suit your preferences. You could exchange the greens, introduce some pasta, or modify the creaminess to craft your own unique version.
• The Ultimate Comfort Food: It’s a rich, heartwarming, and genuinely comforting creamy chicken soup that feels just like a warm embrace in a bowl.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil (or oil from the sun-dried tomato jar)
• 2 large chicken breasts (about 600g), diced into bite-sized pieces
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
• 1.2 litres chicken broth or stock
• 150g sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and roughly chopped
• 200ml double cream
• 80g freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 150g fresh spinach
• A small bunch of fresh basil, chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

How to Make The Perfect Marry Me Chicken Soup: Step-by-Step

Putting together this show-stopping soup is far simpler than you might imagine. We’ve outlined the process in clear, easy-to-follow steps to guarantee a flawless outcome every single time. Simply follow our lead, and you’ll have a pot of deliciousness ready before you know it.

Step 1: Brown the Chicken

First, let’s establish our foundation of flavour. Season your cubed chicken pieces liberally with salt and pepper. Warm the olive oil in a large, heavy-based pot or a Dutch oven over a medium-high heat. When the oil begins to shimmer, carefully place the chicken in a single layer, working in batches if needed to prevent the pot from becoming overcrowded. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until beautifully golden brown. The chicken does not need to be fully cooked at this point. Once browned, lift it out of the pot with a slotted spoon and put it to one side.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

Using the same pot, turn the heat down to medium. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for around 5 minutes, stirring periodically, until it has softened and turned translucent. Next, stir in the minced garlic, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes (if you’re using them). Keep stirring for about a minute until the garlic releases its wonderful aroma. Take care not to let it scorch!

Step 3: Build the Soup Base

Pour the chicken broth into the pot, and use a wooden spoon to scrape any flavourful browned bits from the bottom. These little specks are concentrated flavour! Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reintroduce the browned chicken to the pot. Lower the heat, pop the lid on, and allow it to simmer for 15-20 minutes. This gives the chicken time to cook through while all the wonderful flavours meld together.

Step 4: Make It Creamy and Delicious

Here comes the truly magical step. Reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting. Gently pour in the double cream, stirring continuously to incorporate it. It’s crucial that the soup does not boil after you’ve added the cream, as this can make it split. Now, stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until it has completely melted into the soup, lending it an even richer, more savoury character. This is a vital technique in many glorious sundried tomato recipes.

Finally, add the fresh spinach to the pot, one handful at a time, and stir until it has just wilted. This will only take a minute or two. Mix in the chopped fresh basil, then have a taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if required.

Expert Tips for Success

To ensure your Marry Me Chicken Soup is absolutely perfect, just bear these straightforward tips in mind:

• Use Quality Parmesan: For the finest flavour and smoothest texture, we recommend using a block of authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano and grating it yourself. Pre-shredded cheeses often include anti-caking agents that can hinder smooth melting. For more information, BBC Good Food has an excellent guide to Parmesan.
• Don’t Overcook the Chicken: By searing the chicken initially and then simmering it gently in the broth, you ensure it stays succulent and tender, rather than becoming tough.
• Embrace the Tomato Oil: For an extra layer of zesty, sweet flavour, try using a tablespoon or two of the oil from your jar of sun-dried tomatoes in place of the olive oil.
• Control the Thickness: If you’d like a thicker consistency, you can make a slurry. Whisk one tablespoon of cornflour with two tablespoons of cold water, then stir this mixture into the soup just before adding the cream.

Serving and Storage Suggestions

While this soup is magnificent on its own, the right accompaniments can elevate it even further. We adore serving our Marry Me Chicken Soup with a side of warm, crusty bread or perhaps some garlic bread, perfect for dipping into the divine, creamy broth. A simple green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette also provides a lovely, fresh counterpoint.

Should you have any leftovers, they can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. To reheat, warm the soup gently on the hob over a low heat, stirring every so often. It’s best to avoid boiling it to preserve its smooth, creamy consistency.

The wonderfully rich and creamy nature of this soup is a signature of many Tuscan-style dishes. If you’re fond of these flavours, we’re certain you’ll also love our One-Pan Tuscan Salmon recipe, which provides a similar taste journey with a beautiful seafood twist.

FAQ

A Soup Worthy of a Proposal

So, there we have it—a recipe for a soup that is so much more than a simple meal; it’s a culinary experience. Our Marry Me Chicken Soup is rich, deeply satisfying, and brimming with layers of fantastic flavour. It marries the rustic allure of Italian cuisine with the comforting warmth of a classic chicken soup, resulting in something truly remarkable. The creamy texture is incredibly satisfying, and if you enjoy it, you may also be delighted by our equally impressive Creamy Garlic Chicken.

What are you waiting for? Whether you are orchestrating a romantic meal or simply have a craving for a seriously delicious bowl of soup, it’s time to put on your apron. Give this recipe a go and prepare a dish that is genuinely unforgettable. Please do leave a comment below to tell us how you got on—we always love hearing from you!

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Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 35 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil (or oil from the sun-dried tomato jar)
• 2 large chicken breasts (about 600g), diced
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1.2 litres chicken broth
• 150g sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
• 200ml double cream
• 80g freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 150g fresh spinach
• A small bunch of fresh basil, chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken in batches, then remove from the pot and set aside.
2. Lower heat to medium, add the onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft. Stir in the minced garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
3. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot. Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and return the chicken to the pot. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook for 15-20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
4. Reduce heat to low. Stir in the double cream, followed by the grated Parmesan cheese until melted. Do not let the soup boil. Add the spinach and fresh basil, stirring until the spinach has wilted. Season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.

Nutrition (per serving):
Calories: 745 kcal,
Carbs: 15 g,
Protein: 58 g,
Fat: 42 g