Description
Creamy garlic chicken gnocchi skillet brings Italian comfort right to your dinner table with rich, velvety sauce coating tender potato pillows and juicy chicken. Delightful weeknight meal promises comfort and satisfaction in one delicious pan.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 pound potato gnocchi (fresh or store-bought)
- 1 cup spinach or kale (optional)
Dairy and Cream:
- 1 cup heavy cream (or dairy-free alternative)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat a large skillet over medium heat and warm olive oil. Season chicken with aromatic herbs and spices, ensuring even coverage.
- Sear chicken for approximately 6-7 minutes, rotating occasionally to achieve a golden-brown exterior and fully cooked interior. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
- Using the same skillet, introduce additional olive oil and gnocchi. Toast gnocchi for 3-4 minutes, creating a crisp exterior while maintaining a tender core.
- Introduce minced garlic to the skillet, allowing its fragrance to permeate the cooking surface for 1-2 minutes.
- Deglaze the pan with chicken broth, scraping accumulated flavor fragments from the bottom of the skillet.
- Incorporate heavy cream and grated Parmesan, whisking continuously until the sauce reaches a luxurious, velvety consistency within 2-3 minutes.
- Reintroduce chicken and gnocchi to the skillet, gently coating each element with the creamy sauce.
- Add fresh spinach leaves, allowing them to wilt and integrate into the dish for 1-2 minutes.
- Perform a final seasoning assessment, adjusting salt and pepper as needed.
- Plate immediately, garnishing with additional Parmesan and fresh herb sprinkles for an elegant presentation.
Notes
- Swap gnocchi for cauliflower gnocchi to create a lower-carb version that’s equally delicious and satisfying.
- Choose chicken thighs instead of breasts for extra moisture and richer flavor, preventing dry meat during cooking.
- Quickly pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure perfect golden-brown crust and better herb adherence.
- Add red pepper flakes for subtle heat if you enjoy a spicy kick that complements the creamy sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 575
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg