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This rich creamy soup is made with delicious sun-dried tomatoes, tender chicken, and Parmesan cheese. Made in one pot and packed with 39g protein.
It’s a chilly evening, and all you want is a cozy blanket and a comforting meal that is going to warm your heart and stomach.
I feel you!
That’s me every chilly fall afternoon. That is why I decided to create this high protein soup.
It’s so good that when I first made it, my boyfriend proposed to me *jokingly or maybe not?* (that is why it’s called marry me chicken soup).
This dish is inspired by my irresistible “Marry Me Chicken.” It captures everything that you love about that dish.
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Pin ItIt has tender shredded chicken, pasta shells, and a savory creamy broth. The vibrant flavors of the sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil are all blended in the heavy cream, cream cheese, and Parmesan.
It’s also extra high in protein – 39g protein despite all the comfort.
Ingredients and Substitutes
Oil from sun-dried tomato jar, divided (1 tbsp) – While you can replace it with olive oil or avocado oil, I recommend using the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes since it gives it all the flavor.
Yellow onion, finely chopped (1) – You can also use shallots or white onions.
Garlic, minced (4 cloves) – Replace with garlic powder or granulated garlic.
Sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped (½ cup) – Replace with roasted red peppers or cherry tomatoes. However, this can affect the overall taste of the dish.
Tomato paste (3 tbsp) – Swap with more sun-dried tomatoes.
Chicken broth (2 32oz packages) – Substitute with vegetable broth or water mixed with a bouillon cube.
Heavy cream (1 cup) – If you want a lighter option, you can use half-and-half or evaporated milk.
Fresh basil, chopped (2 tbsp) – You can use dried basil (1 tbsp).
Italian seasoning (2 tsp) – If you don’t have Italian seasoning, you can make it at home. Just mix in equal parts dried oregano, basil, parsley, and thyme.
Garlic powder (1 tsp) – Swap with fresh garlic or garlic paste.
Crushed red pepper (¼ tsp) – You can also use cayenne pepper or chili flakes.
Sea salt (2 tsp)
Dry shell pasta (2 cups) – Use any short pasta like rotini, penne, or elbow macaroni.
Fresh baby spinach, chopped (3 cups) – Replace with arugula, Swiss chard, or kale.
Cooked chicken breasts, shredded (3 cups) – If you are looking for something quick, you can use rotisserie chicken or turkey. For a plant-based option, use tofu.
Cream cheese, room temperature (8 oz) – Swap with Mascarpone cheese or a mix of heavy cream and plain yogurt to provide a creamy alternative.
Shredded Parmesan cheese (1 cup) – Use any hard cheese like Asiago or nutritional yeast for a plant-based option.
GARNISH
Parmesan, grated
Fresh basil, chopped – Replace with fresh parsley.
How to Make Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup
Step 1. Grab a large pot and place it over medium-high heat. Add the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes, and then add the onions.
Step 2. Cook the onions until they become translucent. It should roughly take 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
Step 3. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and tomato puree.
Step 4. Give it a good stir and cook for about 2 minutes.
Step 5. Pour the broth and heavy cream. Then, add the basil, Italian seasonings, garlic powder, crushed red pepper, and sea salt.
Step 6. Combine all the ingredients and bring to a boil. Then, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
Step 7. Add the pasta and let it simmer for another 12 minutes until the pasta is al dente.
Step 8. When the pasta is all cooked, add the spinach, cooked chicken, cream cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
Step 9. Give the ingredients a good stir and let them simmer for another 5 minutes or until the cheese melts.
Step 10. When it’s ready, remove from the heat and garnish with Parmesan cheese and chopped basil.
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Pin ItHow I Would Modify This Recipe
- Make it Gluten-Free: Replace the pasta with your favorite gluten-free pasta. Just make sure you adjust the cooking times based on the packaging.
- Low-Carb Version: Remove the pasta and add non-starchy vegetables like zucchini noodles, cauliflower florets, or mushrooms.
- Add Some Heat: If you like your food to have some heat, add more crushed red pepper or add a dash of your favorite hot sauce.
My Tips & Tricks
- Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese: This is going to help create a smooth, creamy consistency. Cold cream cheese won’t melt as easily and may leave some lumps.
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: The pasta is going to continue to cook in the hot broth. Cook it just al dente to avoid having mushy pasta.
- Toast the Tomato Paste: Try cooking the tomato paste for a couple of minutes before you add it to the soup. This helps deepen the flavors and adds a rich, savory note.
My Storage Tips
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
The pasta might absorb some of the liquid, so it might become a bit thicker. If this happens, just add a splash of heavy cream or chicken broth.
I recommend reheating it on the stovetop since it creates a richer soup. But, you can also reheat it in the microwave.
More High Protein Soups
Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup
Cals: 642 Protein: 39 Carbs: 36 Fat: 39
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp oil from sun-dried tomato jar divided
- 1 yellow onion finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes drained and chopped
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 32 oz packages chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp fresh basil chopped
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper
- 2 tsp sea salt
- 2 cups dry shell pasta
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach chopped
- 3 cups cooked chicken breasts shredded
- 8 oz cream cheese room temperature
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Parmesan grated
- Fresh basil chopped
Instructions
- Place a large pot over medium-high heat. Add in the oil from sun-dried tomatoes, then add onion and cook for 5 minutes until translucent.
- Add in the garlic, and cook for another 30s.
- Add in the sun-dried tomatoes and tomato paste, stir to cover the onion in tomato, and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Stir in the broth, heavy cream, basil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, crushed red pepper, and sea salt. Stir well and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add the pasta and let it simmer for another 12 minutes until the pasta is al dente.
- Once the pasta is cooked, add spinach, cooked chicken, cream cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Stir and simmer for another 5 minutes until the cheese melts.
- Garnish with parmesan and chopped basil before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can you use reduced fat cream cheese and half and half or fat free cottage cheese to reduce the calories?
Yes to all of those!