Description
One Pan Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi is a cozy, hearty, and easy-to-make meal featuring tender chicken, soft gnocchi, and a rich creamy sauce all cooked together in one skillet. Perfect for busy weeknights, it offers comforting flavors with minimal effort and easy cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Carbohydrates
- 1 package (about 16 oz) store-bought gnocchi
Aromatics
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
Liquids & Dairy
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables & Herbs
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale
- 2 tbsp fresh herbs (thyme or parsley), chopped
Seasonings & Additions
- 2 tbsp olive oil or cooking oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Trim and cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Mince the garlic and dice the onions. Keep the gnocchi ready and measure out the liquids and Parmesan to streamline the cooking process.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces seasoned with salt and pepper. Cook until golden on all sides but not fully cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add diced onions and minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant and translucent, forming a flavorful base for the sauce.
- Create the Creamy Sauce: Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Let the mixture simmer gently to reduce slightly. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth.
- Cook the Gnocchi and Chicken Together: Return the seared chicken to the pan and add the gnocchi directly into the sauce. Cover and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the gnocchi are tender and the chicken is fully cooked through.
- Finish with Greens and Herbs: Stir in fresh spinach or kale and cook until wilted. Sprinkle chopped fresh herbs on top, give a final stir, and your dish is ready to serve.
Notes
- Use room temperature chicken for even cooking and juiciness.
- Gently stir the gnocchi to avoid breaking them apart during cooking.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water or additional cream to loosen it.
- Adjust salt gradually as Parmesan already adds saltiness.
- Add fresh herbs at the end to preserve their vibrant flavor and color.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-pan stovetop cooking
- Cuisine: American / Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg