One-Pan Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi offers a remarkably easy and utterly delicious weeknight dinner solution, combining tender chicken and pillowy gnocchi in a decadent garlic cream sauce. This one-pan wonder is perfect for busy evenings when you crave restaurant-quality flavor without the fuss.
Jump To :
show
Key Ingredients for One-Pan Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a hint of heat)
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter option)
- 1 (16 ounce) package potato gnocchi (refrigerated or shelf-stable)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
How to Make One-Pan Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi
This One-Pan Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi recipe is your new secret weapon for effortless, satisfying meals. In under 30 minutes, you can create a restaurant-worthy dish packed with tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and a luxurious, garlicky cream sauce. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds without a single dirty pot beyond your trusty skillet.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet (like a cast-iron or stainless steel pan) over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces generously with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Add the chicken to the hot skillet in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Sear for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate. Don’t worry if it’s not cooked all the way through, as it will finish cooking in the sauce.
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and slightly translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent the garlic from burning.
- Deglaze and Create Sauce Base: Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits – this is where a lot of the flavor is! Let the broth simmer for 2 minutes, allowing it to reduce slightly.
- Add Cream and Gnocchi: Stir in the heavy cream (or half-and-half) and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Add the gnocchi to the skillet and stir to coat them in the sauce. Make sure the gnocchi are submerged as much as possible.
- Combine and Simmer: Return the seared chicken back to the skillet, nestling it amongst the gnocchi. Season with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Bring the sauce back to a gentle simmer.
- Finish Cooking: Cover the skillet and let it simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until the gnocchi are cooked through and tender, and the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Stir in Cheese and Spinach: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s melted and the sauce is creamy. Add the chopped spinach and stir until it wilts into the sauce, about 1-2 minutes.
- Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve the One-Pan Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, if desired.
Why You’ll Love This One-Pan Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi
You’ll adore this One-Pan Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi for its sheer simplicity and incredibly satisfying flavor. The star of the show is undoubtedly the velvety, rich garlic cream sauce that beautifully coats the tender chicken and pillowy gnocchi, creating a truly comforting dish that’s miles better than a plain chicken and pasta bake. Making this at home saves you a bundle compared to ordering takeout or dining out, offering gourmet taste without the hefty price tag.
Plus, the subtle hint of Italian herbs and the optional kick of red pepper flakes elevate the classic comfort food profile, making each bite a delightful experience. If you’re looking for a weeknight meal that’s as easy as it is impressive, this is it. Give this delightful One-Pan Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi a try – you won’t regret it!
Storing and Reheating Tips
- Refrigeration: Allow the chicken gnocchi to cool completely before storing. Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: For the best results, reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently, until heated through. You may need to add a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce if it has thickened considerably. Alternatively, you can microwave individual portions, stirring halfway through for even heating.
- Freezing: While gnocchi can become a bit softer upon thawing, this dish freezes reasonably well. Portion cooled leftovers into freezer-safe containers or bags. Ensure they are well-sealed to prevent freezer burn. Frozen chicken gnocchi will keep for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating as described above.
Final Thoughts
This One-Pan Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi is a testament to how simple, quality ingredients can create something truly special with minimal effort. Give this recipe a try for a comforting and flavorful meal that’s sure to become a family favorite.
Read more also:
- Sugar Cookie Cheesecake
- Best German Chocolate Cake
- Hot Cocoa Poke Cake
- Tasty Tiramisu Yule Log Cake
- Boozy Eggnog Bundt Cake
- Our Pinterest
One-Pan Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi
Offers a remarkably easy and utterly delicious weeknight dinner solution, combining tender chicken and pillowy gnocchi in a decadent garlic cream sauce. This one-pan wonder is perfect for busy evenings when you crave restaurant-quality flavor without the fuss.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet (like a cast-iron or stainless steel pan) over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces generously with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Add the chicken to the hot skillet in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Sear for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate. Don’t worry if it’s not cooked all the way through, as it will finish cooking in the sauce.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and slightly translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent the garlic from burning.1 small yellow onion, 4 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits – this is where a lot of the flavor is! Let the broth simmer for 2 minutes, allowing it to reduce slightly.1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- Stir in the heavy cream (or half-and-half) and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Add the gnocchi to the skillet and stir to coat them in the sauce. Make sure the gnocchi are submerged as much as possible.1 cup heavy cream, 1 (16 ounce) package potato gnocchi
- Return the seared chicken back to the skillet, nestling it amongst the gnocchi. Season with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Bring the sauce back to a gentle simmer.1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Cover the skillet and let it simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until the gnocchi are cooked through and tender, and the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s melted and the sauce is creamy. Add the chopped spinach and stir until it wilts into the sauce, about 1-2 minutes.1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 2 cups fresh spinach
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve the One-Pan Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, if desired.1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley
Notes
This dish stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave. It also freezes reasonably well for up to 2-3 months.