Marry Me Chicken Meatball Soup

Ingredients

For the Chicken Meatballs

• 1 lb ground chicken
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley

For the Soup

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Optional Add-Ins

• Small pasta like ditalini or orzo
• White beans
• Mushrooms

Instructions

1. Make the Meatballs

• In a bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and parsley.
• Mix gently until combined.
• Roll into small meatballs.

2. Brown the Meatballs

• Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.
• Add meatballs and cook 5–7 minutes until lightly browned (they do not need to cook fully yet).
• Remove and set aside.

3. Build the Soup

• In the same pot, sauté onion for 3–4 minutes until softened.
• Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
• Stir in chicken broth, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.

4. Simmer

• Return meatballs to the pot.
• Simmer gently for 10–12 minutes until meatballs are fully cooked.

5. Finish the Soup

• Stir in heavy cream and parmesan cheese.
• Add spinach and cook until wilted.
• Taste and adjust seasoning.

6. Serve

• Ladle into bowls and garnish with extra parmesan and fresh basil or parsley.

Tips

• Don’t overmix the meatballs or they can become dense.
• Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor.
• Add pasta separately if planning leftovers to avoid sogginess.
• For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
• Fresh parmesan melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with:

• Garlic bread
• Crusty artisan bread
• Caesar salad
• Roasted vegetables

Variations

• Spicy Version: Add extra chili flakes or hot Italian seasoning.
• Low-Carb: Skip pasta and add extra spinach.
• Tuscan Style: Add mushrooms and white beans.