Description
This Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet is a creamy, comforting one-pan meal featuring tender chicken, pillowy potato gnocchi, fresh spinach, and juicy cherry tomatoes in a rich garlic and Parmesan cream sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a perfect weeknight dinner that’s both flavorful and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound potato gnocchi
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 1/2 cups baby spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Gnocchi: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the potato gnocchi according to package instructions until they float to the surface, about 2-3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Cook Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces, season with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add butter and minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Cook Tomatoes: Add halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes until they start to soften.
- Wilt Spinach: Stir in the baby spinach and cook just until wilted, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add Cream and Broth: Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir everything to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Combine Gnocchi and Chicken: Return the cooked gnocchi and chicken to the skillet. Stir well to coat all the ingredients in 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, about 2-3 minutes.
- Serve: Serve the garlic chicken gnocchi hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version, but the sauce will be less rich.
- For a spicier dish, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne pepper.
- Use fresh spinach or baby kale as a substitute depending on preference.
- Make sure not to overcook the gnocchi; they cook quickly and become mushy if left too long in the boiling water.
- Grated Parmesan cheese adds depth to the sauce; freshly grated is best for flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
