Description
This soulful soup transforms the viral Marry Me Chicken sensation into a hearty, velvety bowl of comfort. Featuring a rich base of sun-dried tomatoes, smoky turkey bacon, and tender chicken, this dish is elevated with a touch of heat from serrano chilies and a blend of aromatic herbs. Perfect for chilly evenings, this one-pot wonder brings restaurant-quality flavors directly to your home kitchen for a memorable family meal.
Ingredients
2 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
6 slices smoked turkey bacon, diced
2 tbsp butter
1 large sweet onion, diced
3 medium carrots, diced
3 medium celery sticks, diced
1 large green bell pepper, diced
2 medium serrano chilies, thinly sliced
8 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, diced
1 1/2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
1 1/2 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp smoked paprika
6 cups chicken broth
1 cup half-and-half
1 cup ditalini pasta
1 cup smoked cheddar cheese, shredded
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the diced turkey bacon over medium heat until crispy; remove and set aside.
In the same pot, add butter and sauté the onions, carrots, celery, and bell peppers until softened.
Add the serrano chilies, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, and smoked paprika; cook until fragrant.
Add the chicken thighs and chicken broth, bringing to a boil before reducing to a simmer for 20 minutes.
Remove chicken, shred it using two forks, and return to the pot.
Add the ditalini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
Stir in the half-and-half and smoked cheddar until the cheese is melted and the soup is creamy.
Top with the crispy turkey bacon and serve immediately.
Notes
Ensure you dice the vegetables uniformly for even cooking. For extra creaminess, you can substitute heavy cream for half-and-half. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, but note that the pasta will continue to absorb liquid over time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 110mg