Marry Me Chicken Soup

Featured in: Warming Soups and Stews for Every Season

Turn the much-loved Marry Me Chicken into a soul-warming bowl of soup! In this easy slow cooker recipe, chicken cooks to perfection alongside seasonings and tangy sun-dried tomatoes. Toss in cheese tortellini for a hearty twist and wilted spinach for a splash of green. A creamy blend of cheeses gives the soup its irresistible richness. Made with simple ingredients, this dish is a crowd-pleaser that's perfect for family meals or entertaining.
Chef with a smile, ready to cook and serve.
Updated on Sun, 09 Mar 2025 17:08:38 GMT
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Marry Me Chicken Soup | yummygusto.com

A luxurious twist on classic comfort food, this Marry Me Chicken Soup combines tender chicken, cheese-filled tortellini, and sun-dried tomatoes in a rich, creamy broth. Italian-inspired flavors blend perfectly with fresh spinach and two varieties of melted cheese for an irresistible meal.

A restaurant-quality soup that consistently draws recipe requests, this dish strikes the perfect balance between sophisticated flavors and comforting familiarity.

Key Ingredients Guide

  • Chicken: Bone-in, skin-on pieces provide superior flavor and richness
  • Sun-dried Tomatoes: Oil-packed varieties offer intense flavor and useful cooking oil
  • Tortellini: Fresh pasta ensures proper texture and quick cooking
  • Heavy Cream: Essential for silky smoothness
  • Havarti: Melts beautifully while adding subtle flavor notes
  • Baby Spinach: Adds fresh color and nutrients

Essential Preparation Steps

Initial Browning
Heat tomato oil until hot. Season chicken and brown skin-side down until golden for maximum flavor development.
Aromatic Base
Sauté onions in the flavored oil, incorporating browned bits. Add garlic and tomato paste, cooking until deeply fragrant.
Broth Development
Deglaze with broth, transfer to slow cooker with remaining liquid and seasonings for depth.
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Delicious Marry Me Chicken Soup | yummygusto.com

The rich, silky broth studded with tender pasta and vegetables creates an impressive presentation that rivals upscale Italian restaurants.

Texture Control

Maintain proper temperature when incorporating dairy elements. Remove from heat before slowly stirring in cream and cheese to prevent separation.

Advance Preparation

Prepare the base through broth development stage and refrigerate. Complete with pasta and finishing ingredients just before serving.

Flavor Balance

Fresh lemon and tender spinach provide brightness to complement the rich elements. Additional vegetables can be incorporated for variety.

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Close-up Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe | yummygusto.com

This elevated comfort food combines slow-cooked flavors with refined presentation, making it ideal for special occasions while remaining achievable for home cooks.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Is boneless chicken okay to use?
Definitely! Boneless breasts work, but cut the cook time by an hour since they cook quicker.
→ Why is browning the chicken recommended?
It brings a deeper, richer flavor to your soup, thanks to the tasty browned bits left in the pan.
→ How do I freeze this soup?
Keep tortellini and cream out before freezing. Add them fresh when warming up to keep the pasta from turning soggy.
→ What’s a good swap for Havarti cheese?
Mozzarella or provolone are great alternatives—they melt well and have that same mild taste.
→ Can I prepare this on the stovetop?
Yes! Simmer the soup gently for around an hour till the chicken softens. Add the tortellini near the end and follow the recipe as usual.

Cozy Marry Me Chicken Soup

Packed with flavor, this creamy tortellini soup features tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and a cheesy broth made in a slow cooker.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
300 Minutes
Total Time
320 Minutes
By: Sandra

Category: Comforting Soups

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian-American

Yield: 10 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Main Components

01 About 2 and a half pounds of chicken breasts with the skin and bones still on
02 One 20-ounce pack of refrigerated cheese tortellini
03 Five ounces of fresh spinach leaves, coarsely chopped

→ Aromatics and Tomatoes

04 1 1/2 cups yellow onion, diced (that’s roughly one large onion)
05 Two teaspoons of minced garlic, roughly two cloves
06 2/3 cup of sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, chopped, plus 1 tablespoon of the oil
07 A 6-ounce can of tomato paste

→ Dairy and Cheese

08 Heavy cream, one cup
09 About 6 ounces of shredded Havarti cheese (1 1/2 cups)
10 Fresh Parmesan, shredded, 4 1/2 ounces (equals 1 1/2 cups)

→ Liquids and Seasonings

11 Eight cups of chicken stock
12 Two teaspoons of Italian seasoning
13 Smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons
14 A total of 2 teaspoons of kosher salt, split up
15 Half a teaspoon of black pepper
16 A tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice

Instructions

Step 01

Warm up the oil from your sun-dried tomatoes in a big skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the chicken with half a teaspoon of salt and some pepper. Then, cook it for about 3 minutes on each side to get some color on it. Move the chicken over to your slow cooker.

Step 02

Using the same skillet, brown your chopped onion for roughly 5 minutes. Toss in the garlic and let it do its thing for about 2 more minutes. Mix in tomato paste and let it cook for 2-3 minutes until it smells incredible.

Step 03

Pour in a cup of your chicken broth to the skillet, stirring as you scrape any stuck bits off the bottom of the pan. Once done, pour this into the slow cooker along with the rest of the chicken broth, spices, and the leftover salt.

Step 04

Put a lid on your slow cooker and let it go. Use the LOW setting for about 5-6 hours or set on HIGH for 3-4 hours until the chicken’s perfectly cooked. Take the chicken out of the cooker, let it cool slightly, shred it, and discard its skin and bones.

Step 05

Throw in the tortellini, spinach, and the sun-dried tomatoes. If needed, crank up the cooker to HIGH and cook for about 10 minutes until the tortellini softens up. Stir in your fresh lemon juice.

Step 06

Mix the cream into the pot and slowly add the cheeses, patiently stirring until everything melts. Toss the shredded chicken back in and taste—adjust the seasoning if needed.

Notes

  1. If the chicken won’t flip easily, just give it another minute or two—it’ll release when ready.
  2. Wait for the tortellini to be tender before you mix in the cream and cheese, to avoid curdling.

Tools You'll Need

  • 6-quart slow cooker
  • A big skillet
  • Measuring spoons and cups

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes dairy (cream and several cheeses)
  • Tortellini contains wheat
  • Tortellini also has eggs