Marry Me Chicken Soup (Tuscan Style)

Get ready to fall in love with this Marry Me Tuscan Chicken Soup recipe! This comforting dish brings together tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and a creamy, flavorful cream sauce that’s sure to win hearts at the dinner table. Perfect for cozy nights or weeknight dinners, this is a rich and satisfying meal that that promises warmth and deliciousness in every spoonful.

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Key Ingredients

• Chicken
• Onions
• Carrots
• Celery- Brandi’s Tip: Grab pre-chopped veggies if you can afford them. This will save a lot of time. I love the Trader Joe’s Mirepoix combination that includes chopped onions, celery, and carrots in one container for a few dollars. You can use that entire package in this recipe. Most standard grocers will carry pre-chopped vegetables.
• Garlic- Brandi’s Tip: Grab pre-peeled garlic in the grocery store.
• Spinach
• Sundried Tomatoes
• Broth
• Cream
• Parmesan Cheese
• Flour
• Italian Seasoning

What Type of Chicken to Use

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts along with cooked rotisserie chicken will work best.

Chicken breasts are lean, tender, and easy to shred or cut into chunks. They can also be less flavorful compared to dark meat but works well with the creamy, rich sauce.

Chicken thighs are more flavorful and juicier than breasts, with a slightly richer taste. They also have more fat, which adds more richness to the soup, along with calories.

I alternate between both, depending on what I have on hand and what my goals are at the time. If I want less calories, I use chicken breasts.

Rotisserie chicken is convenient, already cooked, and adds a depth of flavor from the seasoning and roasting process. You have to be careful not to overcook it. If you plan to use pre-cooked chicken, you don’t need to add it until the end, cook it just long enough to get it warm.

What Type of Pasta/Noodles to Use

The quick answer is you can use whatever you like. This isn’t your standard chicken noodle soup, so there’s no need to feel like you’re limited to only egg noodles. You can use just about anything.

My personal favorite is authentic Italian macaroni elbows. I get it at Costco and Trader Joe’s. Here are more options.

• Ditalini (Tube shaped)
• Cavatappi (Corkscrew shape)
• Bow Tie
• Fusilli
• Rotini
• Mini Penne

How to Make Marry Me Chicken Soup

Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

1. Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken and 1 teaspoon of Italian Seasoning and cook until browned.
2. In the same pot add chopped onions, carrots, celery, sundried tomatoes, and garlic and cook until translucent.
3. Sprinkle the flour throughout and stir well to combine. If you plan to add tomato paste, add it here and stir.
4. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and stir repeatedly, ensuring there are no lumps.
5. Bring the mixture to a simmer and add in the pasta and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste and let the soup simmer for about 20 minutes.
6. Open the pot and stir in heavy cream, spinach, and grated Parmesan cheese, and let the soup simmer.

What Type of Pot to Use

I use a 6 quart Dutch oven. Here are some things to think about:

• Dutch Oven: Excellent heat retention and even cooking. Ideal for browning chicken and simmering the soup. The heavy lid helps keep moisture in.
• Stockpot: Large capacity, ideal for making soup in big batches. Lightweight and usually more affordable. It may not retain heat as well as a Dutch oven and may require more frequent stirring to prevent sticking.
• Soup Pot: Specifically designed for making soups with a wide base for even cooking and a large capacity for ingredients.

More Ways to Add Flavor

Every time I make this, I usually add cooked, crumbled bacon and Cajun Seasoning. It really elevates the dish and is our favorite way to enjoy it.

You can also add dry white wine (2 tablespoon to 1/4 cup), truffle oil, sesame oil, or fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or basil.

How to Substitute Heavy Cream

You can swap out the cream using half and half or milk. You can also use full fat coconut milk or 4 ounces of softened cream cheese. Half and half, milk, and coconut milk aren’t as thick as heavy cream, so using these will alter the texture of the soup, so keep that in mind.

Substitutions and Add-Ins Ideas

• Red Peppers/Bell Peppers
• Mushrooms
• Corn
• Broccoli
• Kale
• Zucchini
• Mozzarella Cheese
• Red Pepper Flakes
• Fresh Lemon Juice

Mushy Pasta

Mushy pasta will occur if it’s overcooked. Some brands may even get mushy when stored in the fridge and reheated later. If you are worried about mushy pasta, feel free to cook your pasta separately and in accordance with the directions on the package. This is important because all pasta does not cook at the same speed.

You may use something different than I use, and thus should prepare your dish accordingly.

How to Store

You can store leftovers tightly covered and sealed for 3-4 days.

How to Reheat Leftovers

The longer this soup stands, the more it will thicken up. It will resemble somewhat of a saucy pasta dish. I love this about it. You can reheat it really well by adding a little broth or water to the soup. Keep this in mind if you are looking for a soupy consistency. You can always thin out the soup by adding more liquid at any time.

You can reheat the soup in the microwave or on the stove until warm.

Freezing

If you plan to freeze the soup, consider leaving out the heavy cream during the initial cooking process. You can add it in when reheating to prevent curdling or separation. Pasta can become mushy after freezing and reheating. To avoid this, cook the pasta separately and add it to the soup just before serving.

More Soup Recipes

Slow Cooker Crockpot Loaded Potato Soup
Chicken Alfredo Soup with Tortellini
Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup
Creamy Chicken Florentine Soup
Bread Bowl Soup

Pair this with Air Fryer Garlic Bread.