Viral Marry Me Chicken Soup with Gnocchi

This viral Marry Me Soup takes all the delicious flavors of Marry Me Chicken and turns them into a rich, creamy, one-pot dinner! My version uses ground chicken and tender gnocchi to make it extra hearty and satisfying. It comes together in about 35 minutes with minimal prep, making it the perfect comfort food for busy weeknights or chilly evenings.

Why You’ll Love This Marry Me Soup

After making my viral Marry Me Butter Beans, it made me want to make more recipes with those delicious Marry Me flavors. I was scrolling TikTok looking for inspiration and I came across this viral Marry Me Soup from @makayla_thomas_fit. It looked delicious so I gave it a try, made a few adjustments to the original recipe to make it my own, and I think it turned out perfect!

For my version, I used ground chicken and pillowy potato gnocchi in a creamy, sun-dried tomato Parmesan broth. The ground chicken makes the soup hearty and filling, and the gnocchi soaks up all the delicious marry me flavors. I love the addition red pepper flakes for a little heat, which balances the richness of the cream.

Another reason this recipe is a keeper is how easy it is to make. Everything cooks in one pot in about 35 minutes, and you end up with a comforting, restaurant-quality soup that's perfect for a cold night or lazy Sunday.

Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi Soup Ingredients

• 1 tbsp. oil from the sun-dried tomato jar
• 1 lb. ground chicken
• ½ onion, diced
• 1 tbsp. garlic, minced
• 3 tbsps. tomato paste
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ lb. potato gnocchi
• 2 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 3 cups baby spinach
• ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp. paprika
• ¼ tsp. black pepper
• 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
• ¼ tsp. crushed red pepper
• ½ tsp. dried basil
• ½ tsp. salt, or to taste

How to Make Marry Me Chicken Soup with Gnocchi

Step 1: Sauté the Onion and Cook the Chicken

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil from the sun-dried tomato jar in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.

Add the ground chicken, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is no longer pink and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Step 2: Add the Garlic and Seasonings

Stir in the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for another 1–2 minutes, until fragrant. Add the tomato paste, paprika, black pepper, Italian seasoning, dried basil, crushed red pepper flakes, and salt. Stir everything together and cook for 1–2 minutes, allowing the tomato paste to darken slightly and the seasonings to become fragrant.

Step 3: Add the Chicken Broth

Slowly pour in the chicken broth, stirring to combine everything. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot to add extra flavor to the soup. Increase the heat slightly and bring the broth to a gentle simmer.

Step 4: Make the Creamy Marry Me Broth

Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream. Cut the softened cream cheese into small pieces and add them to the pot. Stir frequently until the cream cheese has completely melted and the broth is smooth and creamy. Keep the soup at a gentle simmer rather than a rapid boil to prevent the dairy from separating.

Step 5: Cook the Gnocchi

Add the uncooked potato gnocchi directly to the soup and stir gently. Simmer for about 3–5 minutes, or according to the package instructions, until the gnocchi is tender and cooked through. Stir occasionally to prevent the gnocchi from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Step 6: Add the Spinach and Parmesan

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the baby spinach. Cook for about 1 minute, until the spinach begins to wilt. Gradually add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and incorporated into the creamy broth. Taste the soup and adjust the salt and seasonings as needed. If it's thicker than you'd like, stir in a splash of additional chicken broth.

Step 7: Serve

Ladle the Marry Me Soup into serving bowls and garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired. Serve immediately while the gnocchi is tender and the creamy sun-dried tomato broth is warm. Enjoy!

My Expert Tips for the Best Marry Me Soup

• Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes. I recommend using the kind packed in olive oil rather than dry-packed tomatoes. That flavorful oil is perfect for cooking the ground chicken and adds extra richness to the soup.
• Let the ground chicken brown. Instead of constantly stirring, give the chicken a chance to develop some golden-brown bits in the pot. This adds more flavor to the broth, especially since ground chicken is relatively lean.
• Use softened cream cheese. I recommend bringing the cream cheese to room temperature and cutting it into small pieces before adding it. Cold cream cheese can leave little lumps that take longer to melt.
• Grate the Parmesan yourself. Freshly grated Parmesan melts much smoother than pre-grated cheese. It makes a noticeable difference in keeping the creamy broth from becoming grainy.
• Don't overcook the gnocchi. Potato gnocchi cooks quickly and can become mushy if left simmering too long. I recommend checking it after 3 minutes and removing the soup from the heat once the gnocchi is tender.
• Taste before adding more salt. Between the chicken broth, Parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes, there's already plenty of savory flavor. I recommend using low-sodium broth and adjusting the salt at the end.
• Expect the soup to thicken as it sits. The gnocchi continues absorbing broth after cooking, especially when refrigerated. When reheating leftovers, add a splash of chicken broth to bring back the creamy, soupy consistency.

Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi Soup FAQ

Do you need to cook gnocchi before adding it to soup?

No, you can add uncooked potato gnocchi directly to the simmering Marry Me Soup. They'll cook in the creamy broth in about 3–5 minutes, depending on the package instructions. There's no need to boil them separately, which makes this an easy one-pot recipe.

Can I use tortellini instead of gnocchi in Marry Me Soup?

Yes, you can replace the ½ pound of potato gnocchi with cheese tortellini for another delicious version. The cooking time will depend on whether you're using fresh, refrigerated, or frozen tortellini, so follow the package directions. Both work well with the creamy sun-dried tomato broth.

Why is my Marry Me Soup too thin?

My version uses 6 cups of chicken broth and ½ pound of gnocchi, so it's naturally a little more brothy than some other versions. The gnocchi will absorb some liquid as the soup sits, helping it thicken slightly. If you prefer a thicker soup, let the broth reduce a little before adding the cream and gnocchi.

Why did my Marry Me Soup turn grainy?

This usually happens when the heat is too high after adding the cream cheese or Parmesan. Dairy can separate when boiled, leaving the soup with a grainy texture. Keep the heat low when adding the cheese, and stir gently until everything is melted and smooth.

Can I make Marry Me Soup ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the ground chicken and creamy soup base a day ahead, then refrigerate it in an airtight container. I recommend waiting to cook the gnocchi until you're ready to serve. This prevents the gnocchi from soaking up too much broth and becoming overly soft.

How do I store and reheat leftover Marry Me Soup?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. The gnocchi will continue absorbing broth, so the soup will thicken as it sits. Reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat until hot, adding a splash of chicken broth to loosen it and stirring as it heats.

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