Description
A creamy, flavorful Marry Me Chicken Soup featuring tender chicken breasts simmered with aromatic Italian seasonings, garlic, and spinach, enriched with a touch of heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. This comforting soup comes together easily on the stovetop and is perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables and Flavorings
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 cups spinach leaves
Liquids and Dairy
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat oil and brown chicken: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then place them in the pot and cook until browned on both sides, about 5-7 minutes per side.
- Remove chicken: Take the browned chicken breasts out of the pot and set aside temporarily.
- Sauté onion: In the same pot, add the chopped onion and cook until softened, approximately 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and seasonings are well combined.
- Add broth and tomatoes: Pour in the chicken broth and the diced tomatoes along with their juices, stirring to combine.
- Simmer chicken: Return the chicken breasts to the pot, bring the mixture to a simmer, cover, and cook for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through.
- Shred chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the pot, shred it using two forks, then return the shredded chicken back into the soup.
- Add cream, cheese, and spinach: Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and spinach leaves to the soup.
- Finish cooking: Cook the soup for an additional 5 minutes until the spinach has wilted and the soup is heated through.
- Adjust seasoning and serve: Taste the soup and adjust the salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- For a thicker soup, reduce the amount of chicken broth slightly or let the soup simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes.
- Use fresh spinach for the best texture; frozen spinach can be used but should be well-drained.
- Parmesan cheese adds great flavor but can be omitted or substituted with a vegetarian hard cheese if desired.
- This soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the soup will be less creamy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
