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Marry Me Chicken Soup

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • Soup Base:
  • 1½ lbs 680g boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil from the sun-dried tomato jar, ideally
  • 1 large yellow onion finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ cup 70g sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 cups 960ml chicken broth
  • 1 cup 240ml water
  • Creamy Finish:
  • 1 cup 240ml heavy cream
  • ½ cup 50g freshly grated Parmesan, plus extra for serving
  • 2 cups 60g baby spinach or chopped kale
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil torn

Instructions
 

  • Season chicken with salt and pepper. Sear in hot oil in a large pot for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
  • In the same pot over medium heat, cook onion for 4 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Add sun-dried tomatoes and cook 2 minutes, stirring.
  • Add Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, oregano, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Pour in chicken broth and water. Scrape up all the fond from the bottom of the pot. Return chicken to the pot. Bring to a boil then simmer on medium-low uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes.
  • Remove chicken and shred with two forks. Return to the pot.
  • Reduce heat to low. Add heavy cream and stir. Add Parmesan and stir until melted completely.
  • Add spinach and stir until wilted, about 1 minute. Add lemon juice and torn basil. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  • Ladle into bowls. Top with extra Parmesan, fresh basil, and black pepper. Serve with crusty bread.

Notes

  • Use the oil from the sun-dried tomato jar for extra depth and flavor
  • Cook sun-dried tomatoes in the aromatics before adding broth — this deepens their flavor
  • Bloom the spices in the fat for 30 seconds — it significantly intensifies the soup
  • Do not boil after adding cream — keep the heat low and the simmer gentle
  • Always grate Parmesan fresh from a block — pre-grated does not melt smoothly
  • If adding pasta or gnocchi, add to individual bowls rather than the pot to prevent it absorbing all the broth
  • Make ahead through step 5 without cream and Parmesan — add fresh when reheating
  • Rotisserie chicken is an excellent shortcut — add it with the broth and reduce the total cook time
  • Freeze the base soup before adding cream — add fresh dairy when reheating
  • Leftovers keep refrigerated for up to 4 days — reheat gently over low heat