Description
A comforting and creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet featuring tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, fresh spinach, and cherry tomatoes all simmered in a rich garlic Parmesan cream sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, this one-pan meal combines Italian-inspired flavors with easy preparation for a perfect weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Gnocchi
- 1 pound potato gnocchi
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 1/2 cups baby spinach
Dairy and Liquids
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
Oils and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Gnocchi: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the gnocchi according to package instructions until they float to the surface, about 2-3 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add butter and minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Cook Tomatoes: Add halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes until they begin to soften and release their juices.
- Add Spinach: Stir in the baby spinach and cook until wilted, about 1-2 minutes.
- Make Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Combine Gnocchi and Chicken: Return the cooked gnocchi and chicken to the skillet, stirring to coat all the ingredients evenly with the creamy sauce.
- Finish with Cheese and Spices: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes (if using) into the skillet. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes creamy.
- Serve: Serve the garlic chicken gnocchi skillet hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but the texture will be less rich.
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of red pepper flakes to taste.
- Use fresh gnocchi if available for a softer texture.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and gently reheated on the stovetop.
- Adding a splash of white wine before the cream can add extra depth of flavor if desired.
