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Easy Marry Me Chicken Soup: Best Kid-Approved Recipe

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This creamy, comforting chicken soup with sun-dried tomatoes and orzo started as a happy accident and became a family favorite. It’s quick, budget-friendly, and perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 3/4 cup orzo pasta
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup whole milk or half-and-half
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken skin-side down for 5-6 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook for 3-4 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened, scraping up browned bits. Add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in chicken broth, scraping any remaining bits from the bottom. Add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Return chicken to the pot. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
  5. Remove chicken to a cutting board. Let cool slightly, then shred the meat, discarding skin and bones.
  6. Bring broth to a gentle boil. Stir in orzo and cook according to package directions (8-10 minutes), stirring occasionally.
  7. In a small bowl, whisk together flour and milk until smooth. Reduce heat to low and slowly pour the slurry into the soup while stirring constantly. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
  8. Return shredded chicken to the pot. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  9. Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot.

Notes

For best results, don’t skip searing the chicken. Cook orzo separately if planning leftovers to prevent it from absorbing too much broth. The soup tastes even better after resting for 10-15 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: marry me chicken soup, kid-approved, easy chicken soup, creamy chicken soup, sun-dried tomato soup, orzo soup, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://daintydine.com/easy-marry-me-chicken-soup-best-kid-approved-recipe/