Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Skillet: Easy Dinner Recipe

This creamy chicken gnocchi skillet is the perfect answer to those busy weeknights when you need a delicious and satisfying meal on the table fast.

Combining tender chicken and soft, pillowy gnocchi in a rich, garlicky cream sauce, it’s a dish that feels indulgent but comes together with surprising ease.

Forget complicated techniques or long ingredient lists. This recipe focuses on simple steps and readily available ingredients to deliver maximum flavor with minimal fuss, making it a fantastic option for families and anyone looking for a comforting meal without the stress.

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What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

You’ll quickly discover why this creamy chicken gnocchi skillet is a new family favorite. It’s designed for speed and flavor, making it ideal for anyone with a packed schedule who still wants to enjoy a homemade meal. This dish is incredibly versatile, fitting perfectly into a weeknight rotation when time is short, but you still crave something comforting and delicious. The combination of succulent chicken and tender gnocchi in a luscious sauce is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, even for picky eaters. It’s also a fantastic option for a cozy weekend dinner when you want something special without spending hours in the kitchen.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients ahead of time makes the cooking process smooth and enjoyable. You’ll find that most of these items are likely already in your pantry or easily accessible at any grocery store.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 (16-ounce) package potato gnocchi (shelf-stable or refrigerated)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped (optional)
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

For simple substitutions, you can easily swap boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the breasts if that’s what you have on hand; they’ll just need a minute or two longer to cook through. If you don’t have fresh spinach, a cup of frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed dry) works well, or you can omit it entirely. For the gnocchi, both shelf-stable and refrigerated varieties work beautifully in this recipe, so choose whichever is most convenient for you. When it comes to Parmesan cheese, freshly grated always offers the best flavor, but pre-grated will also do the trick in a pinch.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

One of the best features of this recipe is how quickly it comes together, making it genuinely perfect for a busy weeknight.

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 20-25 minutes
• Total time: 30-35 minutes

This realistic timeline ensures you can get a hot, homemade meal on the table without feeling rushed or overwhelmed, even after a long day.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Follow these straightforward steps to create your delicious creamy chicken gnocchi skillet. The visual cues will help you know exactly what to look for at each stage.

1. Prepare the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken to the hot skillet. Season the chicken with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. The chicken should no longer be pink in the center. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.

1. Sauté Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion to the same skillet and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. You’ll notice the onions becoming fragrant and slightly clear. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until it smells aromatic, being careful not to let it burn.

1. Build the Sauce Base: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon. This step, called deglazing, adds a lot of flavor to your sauce. Bring the broth to a gentle simmer.

1. Cook the Gnocchi: Add the gnocchi to the simmering broth. Cook according to package directions, usually 2-3 minutes, or until the gnocchi float to the surface and are tender. They should be soft and pillowy when gently squeezed.

1. Create the Creamy Finish: Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Continue to cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes creamy. The sauce will coat the back of a spoon.

1. Combine and Wilt Spinach: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. If using, add the fresh spinach and stir until it wilts into the sauce, which usually takes about 1-2 minutes. The spinach will visibly shrink and soften.

1. Taste and Serve: Taste the dish and adjust seasonings if needed, adding more salt or pepper to your preference. Ladle the creamy chicken gnocchi into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This creamy chicken gnocchi skillet is wonderfully adaptable, making it easy to tweak for different tastes or occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can reduce the amount of garlic slightly or skip the spinach if your little ones aren’t fans of green vegetables. You could also add a handful of frozen peas or corn during the last few minutes of cooking for extra color and sweetness that kids often enjoy.

To make it a heartier meal, consider adding other vegetables like sliced mushrooms or diced bell peppers along with the onion. For a touch of spice, a pinch of red pepper flakes can be stirred into the sauce. This dish is fantastic on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a simple side salad tossed with a light vinaigrette, or some crusty bread for soaking up every last bit of that delicious creamy sauce. It’s also robust enough for a casual buffet, served straight from a warm skillet.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Being aware of these can help you achieve perfect results every time.

• Overcooking the Chicken: Chicken breasts can dry out quickly. Cook them just until they are no longer pink in the center and have a nice golden crust. Removing them from the pan once cooked and adding them back in at the end prevents them from becoming tough.
• Burning the Garlic: Garlic cooks much faster than onions. Add it to the pan after the onions have softened and cook it for only about a minute until fragrant. Burnt garlic can taste bitter and ruin the sauce.
• Overcrowding the Skillet: When browning the chicken, ensure you don’t overcrowd the pan. If there’s too much chicken, it will steam instead of brown, preventing that delicious crust from forming. Cook the chicken in batches if necessary.
• Not Scraping the Pan: Those browned bits at the bottom of the skillet after cooking the chicken and onions are packed with flavor. Make sure to scrape them up when you add the chicken broth; this is called deglazing and is key to a rich sauce.
• Boiling the Cream: Once you add the heavy cream, keep the heat at a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil. Boiling cream can sometimes cause it to separate or become grainy. A gentle simmer is all you need to thicken the sauce beautifully.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

This creamy chicken gnocchi skillet is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored and reheated successfully with a few considerations.

To store, allow the dish to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

When reheating, the gnocchi can sometimes absorb a lot of the sauce and become a bit softer. To maintain the best texture, reheat individual portions gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, or in the microwave. If the sauce has thickened too much, you can add a splash of chicken broth or a little extra cream while reheating to bring it back to a desirable consistency. Stir frequently to ensure even heating and prevent sticking.

Making this dish entirely ahead of time isn’t recommended for optimal gnocchi texture, as they can become mushy if left sitting in the sauce for too long before serving. However, you can prep the chicken by cutting and seasoning it, and chop the onion and mince the garlic a day in advance to save time on cooking day.

Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe

Can I use different types of gnocchi?

Yes, you can use sweet potato gnocchi or even cauliflower gnocchi for a slightly different flavor and texture. Just follow the package directions for cooking time.

What if I don’t have heavy cream?

While heavy cream provides the richest texture, you can use half-and-half for a lighter sauce, though it may not be

FAQs

• Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
• How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
• Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
• Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.