Marry Me Chicken Soup (Printable)

Savory chicken with sun-dried tomatoes, creamy broth, and pasta in a satisfying, comforting dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1 lb)
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt
04 - 1/4 tsp 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 tsp dried oregano
16 - 1 tsp dried thyme
17 - 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
18 - 1 bay leaf
19 - Fresh basil, for garnish

# Method:

01 - Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sear chicken 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. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes; stir to combine.
04 - Pour in chicken broth and water. Add the bay leaf and return the chicken breasts to the pot. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes until chicken is cooked and vegetables are tender.
05 - Remove chicken breasts from the pot and shred with two forks. Return shredded chicken to the pot.
06 - Stir in ditalini pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until al dente.
07 - Lower heat to a gentle simmer and remove bay leaf. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until melted and fully incorporated.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve garnished with fresh basil.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like something you spent hours on, but honestly comes together in under an hour.
  • The sun-dried tomatoes give it this subtle sweetness that makes people ask for the recipe before they've even finished their bowl.
  • Cream and Parmesan transform simple broth into something that feels special enough for dinner guests but easy enough for a Tuesday night.
02 -
  • Don't fully cook the chicken when you sear it—it will continue cooking in the simmering broth and stay tender instead of turning tough and stringy.
  • Always add the cream off a rolling boil and over gentle heat; high heat can cause it to break and curdle, ruining the silky texture you're after.
  • The bay leaf adds a subtle depth that you don't taste directly, but if you forget to remove it before serving, someone will find it and feel a little betrayed.
03 -
  • If you're worried about cream breaking, temper it by slowly whisking a few spoonfuls of hot broth into the cream before pouring it into the pot—this brings the temperature up gradually and prevents the shock that causes curdling.
  • Cook the pasta a minute under al dente if you like it softer, or a minute under if you prefer it firmer; it will continue softening slightly as it sits in the broth.
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