Looking for a cozy, comforting dish that’s quick and easy to make? This creamy chicken gnocchi recipe is the ultimate one-pan meal! Tender gnocchi, juicy meat, and a rich, creamy sauce come together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or a family dinner. Our chicken and gnocchi recipe is guaranteed to become a favorite!
Chicken gnocchi is as versatile as it is delicious, just like our garlic parmesan pasta. You can make it with pre-packaged gnocchi or homemade, and it’s easily customizable with your favorite veggies like spinach or mushrooms. Plus, it’s all made in one skillet, so cleanup is a breeze!
Content Covered Here
Why We Love Chicken Gnocchi
- Quick and Easy – Ready in just 30 minutes with simple ingredients, you’ll want to add this to your regular dinner lineup!
- One-Pan Wonder – Minimal cleanup for maximum flavor! You’ll thank yourself later when you only have the one pan to cleanup after this delicious dinner. If you are into one pan meals too, you’ll want to check out our sheet pan thighs.
- Customizable – Make this creamy chicken gnocchi recipe your own and add your favorite veggies or swap the meat for turkey or sausage.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Olive oil – Substitute with your preferred cooking oil.
- Chicken breasts – You can substitute with shredded rotisserie chicken or turkey for convenience.
- Italian seasoning – this blend of herbs is used to enhance the flavor. Substitute with dried oregano, basil, or your favorite herb mix.
- Spices – Salt, pepper, and smoked paprika give the dish a well-rounded flavor. Adjust to taste or add chili flakes for a bit of heat.
- Unsalted butter – Creates a rich base for the sauce. If using salted butter, reduce additional salt in the chicken and gnocchi recipe.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic adds depth to the sauce. Substitute with garlic powder if fresh isn’t available.
- Chicken stock – Adds a savory flavor to the sauce. Vegetable stock or broth can be used as a substitute. I keep Better than Bouillon on hand so I’m always able to make my own broth in a pinch.
- Heavy cream – The key to the creamy texture. Substitute with half-and-half for a lighter version.
- Parmesan cheese – Freshly grated for the best flavor. Pecorino Romano can be used as an alternative.
- Potato gnocchi – The star of the recipe. Store-bought, shelf-stable gnocchi works great, or try homemade for an extra-special touch.
- Baby spinach – Adds color, flavor, and nutrients. Kale or arugula can be used as substitutes.
Have extra spinach left after making this recipe? Use the rest of that bagged spinach to make Knorr spinach dip.
Equipment Used
- Large skillet
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Grater for parmesan cheese
How to Make Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi
- Cook the Meat.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the poultry pieces with Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the meat from the skillet and set it aside.
- Sauté the Garlic.
In the same skillet, melt unsalted butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic. - Make the Creamy Sauce
Pour in the stock, heavy cream, grated parmesan cheese, and smoked paprika. Stir everything together to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. - Cook the Gnocchi
Add gnocchi directly into the sauce. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi are tender and the sauce has thickened slightly.
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
For extra flavor, deglaze the skillet with a splash of white wine before adding the broth. It adds a subtle depth to the sauce!
Save This Recipe!
Enter your email below, and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox.
- Combine and Add Spinach
Return the cooked meat to the skillet and stir in baby spinach. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the spinach has wilted. - Serve and Enjoy!
Serve the gnocchi dish warm and garnished with extra parmesan if desired. This recipe is perfect for a cozy dinner and pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or garlic bread.
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
Add cooked bacon crumbles or sun-dried tomatoes to elevate the flavor profile of this delicious recipe.
Serving Suggestions
Pair this creamy chicken and gnocchi with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables. For an extra indulgent meal, serve with warm sourdough no knead bread to soak up every bit of the creamy sauce.
Gnocchi Chicken Recipe FAQs
Yes! Prepare the gnocchi recipe as directed and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of broth or cream.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of cream or stock to loosen the sauce.
While freezing is possible, the cream sauce may separate slightly upon thawing. For best results, freeze the cooked chicken and gnocchi separately and make the sauce fresh when reheating.
Feel free to substitute the meat with cooked sausage, turkey, or shrimp for a different twist on this dish.
Other Dinner Recipes to Consider…
If you tried this creamy chicken gnocchi recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Creamy Chicken Gnocchi
Equipment
- large skillet
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Grater for parmesan cheese
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ cups chicken stock
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 16-ounce package potato gnocchi
- 2 cups baby spinach
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken pieces with 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ ground black pepper. Cook until golden brown and fully cooked, about 6 – 8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 3 cloves of minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Pour in 1 ½ cups chicken stock, 1 ½ cups heavy cream, ½ cup parmesan cheese and ½ teaspoon smoked paprika. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Add 16 ounces of gnocchi directly to the sauce and simmer for 5 – 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi are tender and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir in 2 cups of baby spinach. Cook for 2 – 3 minutes, until the spinach wilts.
- Serve warm. ENJOY!
Notes
- If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of chicken stock or cream to loosen it.
- Cooking the gnocchi in the sauce enhances its flavor and helps thicken the dish naturally.
- Add cooked bacon crumbles or sun-dried tomatoes to elevate the flavor profile of this delicious recipe.
- Prepare the recipe as directed and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of broth or cream.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of cream or stock to loosen the sauce.
- While freezing is possible, the cream sauce may separate slightly upon thawing. For best results, freeze the cooked chicken and gnocchi separately and make the sauce fresh when reheating.
- Feel free to substitute the chicken with cooked sausage, turkey, or shrimp for a different twist on this dish.
Patrick says
This turned out great! The sauce turned out so creamy, it was a family hit.