Heather makes the viral marry me chicken and gnocchi recipe
Heather makes the viral marry me chicken and gnocchi recipe is a easy Italian-American recipe that serves 4. 450 calories per serving. Recipe by CBS Pittsburgh on YouTube.
Prep: 10 min | Cook: 12 min | Total: 30 min
Cost: $10.22 total, $2.56 per serving
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter (softened)
- 0.5 teaspoon Sun‑Dried Tomato Oil (from the jar, optional if you run out)
- 0.5 cup Sun‑Dried Tomatoes (packed in oil, roughly chopped)
- 1 medium Onion (diced)
- 2 Carrots (peeled and diced)
- 2 ribs Celery (diced)
- to taste Salt (kosher or table salt)
- to taste Black Pepper (freshly ground)
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning (dried blend)
- 3 tablespoons Garlic Herb Butter (Kinder's buttery garlic and herb, optional for extra flavor)
- 3 tablespoons Tomato Paste (canned)
- 6 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon Chicken Bouillon (granules or paste dissolved in water)
- 4 cups Water (filtered)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (35% milkfat)
- 1 cup Potato Gnocchi (store‑bought, uncooked)
- 2 cups Rotisserie Chicken (shredded, skin removed)
- 0.5 cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated)
- 2 cups Spinach (roughly chopped, fresh baby spinach)
Instructions
Prep All Ingredients
Dice the onion, carrots, and celery. Mince the garlic. Chop the sun‑dried tomatoes. Shred the rotisserie chicken and set aside. Measure butter, oil, tomato paste, bouillon, cream, gnocchi, Parmesan and spinach.
Time: PT5M
Sauté Vegetables
In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sun‑dried tomato oil, then the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and the garlic‑herb butter. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Time: PT5M
Add Sun‑Dried Tomatoes
Stir the chopped sun‑dried tomatoes into the sautéed vegetables and cook for 1 minute to release their flavor.
Time: PT1M
Incorporate Tomato Paste
Push the vegetables to the sides of the pot, creating a well in the center. Add the tomato paste and let it cook, stirring, for about 1 minute until it darkens slightly and smells fragrant.
Time: PT1M
Add Garlic
Add the minced garlic to the pot and sauté for another minute, being careful not to let it burn.
Time: PT1M
Build the Broth
Stir in the chicken bouillon, then pour in the water and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes so the flavors meld.
Time: PT3M
Temperature: simmer
Add Chicken
Add the shredded rotisserie chicken to the simmering broth and stir to combine. Heat through for 2 minutes.
Time: PT2M
Cook Gnocchi
Drop the uncooked gnocchi into the pot. Cook uncovered for 3–4 minutes, stirring gently, until the gnocchi float to the surface and are tender.
Time: PT4M
Finish with Cheese and Spinach
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and the chopped spinach. Cook for another 2 minutes until the spinach wilts and the cheese melts into the broth.
Time: PT2M
Serve
Ladle the soup into bowls, let it cool just enough to avoid burns, and enjoy immediately.
Time: PT1M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 450
- Protein
- 25g
- Carbohydrates
- 35g
- Fat
- 20g
- Fiber
- 3g
Dietary info: Contains meat, Contains dairy, Contains gluten, High protein
Allergens: Dairy, Gluten
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of Unsalted Butter: Margarine, Olive oil
- Instead of Sun‑Dried Tomato Oil: Olive oil, Regular vegetable oil
- Instead of Sun‑Dried Tomatoes: Roasted red peppers, Marinated artichoke hearts
- Instead of Onion: Shallot
- Instead of Carrots: Parsnips
- Instead of Celery: Fennel stalks
- Instead of Italian Seasoning: Herbes de Provence
- Instead of Garlic Herb Butter: regular butter + garlic powder
- Instead of Tomato Paste: crushed tomatoes
- Instead of Garlic: garlic powder (1 tsp)
- Instead of Chicken Bouillon: stock cube, homemade chicken stock
- Instead of Heavy Cream: half‑and‑half, whole milk + butter
- Instead of Potato Gnocchi: store‑bought ravioli, small dumplings
- Instead of Rotisserie Chicken: cooked chicken breast, canned chicken
- Instead of Parmesan Cheese: Pecorino Romano, Grana Padano
- Instead of Spinach: kale, Swiss chard
Equipment Needed
- Large Pot or Dutch Oven
- Cutting Board
- Chef's Knife
- Wooden Spoon or Heat‑Resistant Spatula
- Measuring Spoons
- Grater
- Ladle (optional)
- Mixing Bowl (optional)
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Sauté vegetables until translucent
- Cook tomato paste until slightly darkened
- Simmer broth gently without boiling
- Cook gnocchi until they float
Chef Tips from the Video
- Using rotisserie chicken saves time and adds extra flavor from the seasoning.
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts better than pre‑grated packets.
- A drizzle of good quality olive oil just before serving adds a glossy finish.
Troubleshooting
Soup is too thick.
Add additional water or broth a few tablespoons at a time until desired consistency is reached.
Soup is too thin.
Stir in a little more heavy cream or a splash of milk; you can also let it simmer a bit longer to reduce.
Gnocchi falls apart.
Do not overcook; remove the pot from heat as soon as the gnocchi float and are tender.
Soup tastes bland.
Adjust with extra salt, pepper, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Not recommended due to cream and gnocchi texture, but can freeze for up to 1 month and reheat gently, adding extra cream if needed.
Room temperature: Do not leave at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Chop all vegetables and store them in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
- Pre‑shred the rotisserie chicken and keep it refrigerated.
- The broth can be prepared a day ahead; reheat and add gnocchi, spinach, and cheese just before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of Marry Me Chicken and Gnocchi Soup in American comfort food cuisine?
Marry Me Chicken and Gnocchi Soup is a modern American comfort dish that blends Italian pantry staples—gnocchi, Parmesan, and sun‑dried tomatoes—with familiar American rotisserie chicken. It isn’t a traditional regional recipe, but it reflects the trend of quick, hearty one‑pot meals that families enjoy on cooler evenings.
What are the traditional regional variations of chicken and gnocchi soups in Italian-American cuisine?
In Italian‑American cooking, chicken and gnocchi often appear in broth‑based soups like Italian Wedding Soup, which uses meatballs and leafy greens. Some variations replace gnocchi with small pasta shapes or add beans, while others use a clear chicken broth instead of a creamy base.
How is Marry Me Chicken and Gnocchi Soup traditionally served in the United States?
It is typically served hot in deep bowls, sometimes topped with a drizzle of olive oil, extra grated Parmesan, and a side of crusty bread for dipping. The soup is meant to be a filling main course rather than a starter.
What occasions or celebrations is Marry Me Chicken and Gnocchi Soup associated with in American culture?
Because it’s quick yet indulgent, the soup is popular for weeknight dinners, casual family gatherings, and even game‑day meals. Its “marry‑me” name makes it a fun choice for romantic date nights at home.
What makes Marry Me Chicken and Gnocchi Soup special or unique in Italian‑American cuisine?
The combination of creamy heavy‑cream broth, sun‑dried tomato oil, and pillowy gnocchi creates a luxurious texture that feels more decadent than a typical chicken soup, while still being easy enough for a busy home cook.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Marry Me Chicken and Gnocchi Soup?
Common errors include over‑cooking the gnocchi so they become mushy, letting the soup boil vigorously which can cause the cream to curdle, and adding too much sun‑dried tomato oil which can make the dish overly oily. Keep the heat at a gentle simmer and remove the pot as soon as the gnocchi float.
Why does this Marry Me Chicken and Gnocchi Soup recipe use sun‑dried tomato oil instead of regular olive oil?
Sun‑dried tomato oil adds a concentrated, sweet‑savory depth that complements the tomato paste and sun‑dried tomatoes, giving the broth a richer, more complex flavor than plain olive oil would provide.
Can I make Marry Me Chicken and Gnocchi Soup ahead of time and how should I store it?
Yes, you can prepare the broth, sautéed vegetables, and shredded chicken up to a day ahead. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Add the gnocchi, spinach, and Parmesan just before reheating to keep the texture optimal.
What texture and appearance should I look for when making Marry Me Chicken and Gnocchi Soup?
The broth should be creamy and slightly thickened, with a pale orange hue from the tomato paste. The vegetables should be tender but not mushy, the gnocchi should be plump and float to the surface, and the spinach should be wilted but still bright green.
What does the YouTube channel CBS Pittsburgh specialize in?
The YouTube channel CBS Pittsburgh focuses on local news, community stories, and lifestyle segments, including a series that tests viral recipes to make supper simple for home cooks.
How does the YouTube channel CBS Pittsburgh's approach to cooking videos differ from other cooking channels?
CBS Pittsburgh blends news‑style storytelling with practical cooking demos, emphasizing quick, family‑friendly meals and testing popular internet recipes for reliability, whereas many cooking channels focus solely on technique or gourmet presentation.
Last updated: September 6, 2026
