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Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup – Best Easy Family Dinner

creamy marry me chicken soup - featured image

This rich, creamy chicken soup is packed with flavor from sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan, and tender chicken thighs. It’s a one-pot wonder that’s budget-friendly, picky eater approved, and perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup or 150 g)
  • 45 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced (about 1 cup or 130 g)
  • 2 celery stalks, diced (about 1 cup or 100 g)
  • 4 cups (960 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup (55 g) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons (16 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • 2 cups (60 g) spinach (optional)
  • Cooked pasta or rice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Cut into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch cubes.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook another 3-4 minutes. Transfer browned chicken to a plate and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Stir and scrape up brown bits from the bottom. Cook for 4-5 minutes until onions are translucent and carrots start to soften. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  4. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir well. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Slowly pour in chicken broth while stirring continuously. Add dried thyme, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring to a gentle simmer.
  5. Return browned chicken and any accumulated juices to the pot. Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer gently for 15-20 minutes.
  6. Remove lid and stir in heavy cream. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes until hot and slightly thickened. Remove pot from heat and stir in grated Parmesan until melted and smooth. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  7. If using spinach, stir it in and let wilt for about 1 minute. Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot with crusty bread or crackers.

Notes

For best flavor, brown the chicken well. To prevent cream from curdling, remove pot from heat before adding cream and Parmesan. Grate your own Parmesan for smooth melting. Soup tastes even better the next day. If freezing, leave out cream and Parmesan; add them when reheating.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken soup, marry me chicken soup, one pot soup, easy family dinner, budget friendly soup, comfort food, chicken thigh soup