Description
Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi is a comforting one-pan dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich and flavorful sauce with potato gnocchi, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese. This recipe combines hearty ingredients with creamy textures and aromatic seasonings like smoked paprika and Italian herbs, making it a perfect meal for a quick yet satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into ¾-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Sauce and Vegetables
- 2 Tablespoons salted butter
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 cup unsalted chicken stock
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 package (16 ounces) potato gnocchi
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- â…“ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 ½ cups baby spinach leaves
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, then season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F). Transfer the chicken to a plate, cover, and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for about 20 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Deglaze skillet: Pour in the chicken stock while scraping the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to lift any browned bits. This will add flavor to the sauce.
- Add cream and gnocchi: Stir in the heavy cream, then add the potato gnocchi. Let the mixture simmer gently for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and the gnocchi become tender.
- Add seasonings and cheese: Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in smoked paprika, sun-dried tomatoes, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly to combine all flavors evenly.
- Wilt the spinach: Add the baby spinach leaves and stir them into the sauce until wilted. If the sauce is too thick, add a small amount of water to loosen it to your desired consistency.
- Combine chicken and serve: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to coat it with the sauce. Remove the pan from heat and serve immediately for a creamy, comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh gnocchi for frozen but adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream but expect a less rich sauce.
- Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes can give this dish a subtle heat.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor.
- Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
