Description
Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet is a creamy, comforting one-pan meal featuring tender chicken breasts sautéed with fresh garlic and spinach, combined with fluffy store-bought gnocchi in a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, this easy skillet dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that feels indulgent but requires minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Aromatics
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb), diced
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Sauce and Vegetables
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Carbohydrate
- 1 lb store-bought gnocchi (pre-cooked or ready to cook)
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken breast that has been seasoned with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
- Sauté garlic and spinach: Add the minced garlic and fresh spinach to the skillet with the chicken. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and the spinach has wilted.
- Prepare the cream sauce: Pour in the heavy cream, stirring frequently as the mixture comes to a gentle simmer. Gradually add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until the cheese has melted completely into the sauce.
- Add the gnocchi: Fold the pre-cooked gnocchi into the creamy sauce and chicken mixture. Continue cooking for an additional 3-5 minutes until the gnocchi is heated through and well coated with the sauce.
- Season and serve: Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately while hot for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can use frozen gnocchi if fresh is unavailable, just make sure to thaw or pre-cook as directed on the package.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or use milk and cornstarch to thicken.
- Add red pepper flakes if you like a little heat in this dish.
- Fresh Parmesan cheese is recommended for the best flavor and smooth melting, but pre-grated works as well.
- This recipe can be doubled for more servings but use a larger skillet to avoid overcrowding.
