Creamy Herb Chicken Gnocchi Skillet (Printer-Friendly)
Tender chicken and pillowy gnocchi in a creamy herb sauce, cooked in one skillet for an easy comforting dinner.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Chicken & Proteins
01 - 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz), cut into bite-sized pieces
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 cup baby spinach, chopped
06 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
09 - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
→ Gnocchi
10 - 1 package (17.6 oz) potato gnocchi, store-bought or homemade
→ Sauce & Dairy
11 - 1 cup heavy cream
12 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
13 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
15 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
16 - Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
# How To Make It:
01 - Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then sauté until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
02 - In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté the chopped onion for 2 to 3 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add the gnocchi to the skillet and sear for 2 to 3 minutes, turning occasionally, until lightly golden on the edges.
04 - Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring well to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
05 - Return the seared chicken to the skillet. Add the chopped spinach, halved cherry tomatoes, parsley, basil, and thyme. Simmer for 4 to 5 minutes until the spinach has wilted and the gnocchi is tender.
06 - Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes if using. Simmer for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the gnocchi evenly.
07 - Adjust the salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with extra fresh herbs and additional Parmesan if desired.
# Helpful Hints:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one pan, which means you get all the comfort with almost no dishwashing.
- The gnocchi soaks up the cream sauce in a way that feels almost unfairly indulgent for something this easy.
02 -
- If you add the Parmesan while the pan is at a rolling boil, the sauce will break and turn grainy instead of smooth.
- Store bought gnocchi cook directly in the sauce, so never boil them first or they will fall apart on you.
03 -
- Pat the chicken completely dry before it hits the pan, because moisture is the enemy of that golden sear you are after.
- Reserve a tablespoon of pasta water from the gnocchi package directions or use extra broth to adjust the sauce consistency right before serving.