Description
Creamy zesty lemon gnocchi chicken delivers Mediterranean comfort with bold, tangy flavors dancing across each forkful. Comfort meets elegance in this quick weeknight dinner that promises to delight hungry families and satisfy serious home cooks.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound or 453 grams)
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Pasta and Liquid:
- 1 pound (453 grams) potato gnocchi
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Prepare chicken breasts by seasoning with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Sear chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, ensuring golden brown exterior and internal temperature reaches 165F. Transfer to cutting board and slice into bite-sized pieces.
- Bring salted water to rolling boil in a separate pot. Carefully drop gnocchi and cook until they float to surface, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Remove gnocchi using slotted spoon, drain briefly, and set aside. Retain cooking water.
- In the same skillet used for chicken, reduce heat to medium and add olive oil. Sauté minced garlic until aromatic, approximately 30 seconds.
- Incorporate lemon zest and juice into skillet. Pour chicken broth and simmer for 2-3 minutes to develop flavor profile.
- Stream heavy cream into sauce, continuing to simmer until mixture thickens and becomes silky, about 3-4 minutes.
- Gently fold gnocchi into sauce, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. Add sliced chicken and toss to integrate.
- Warm mixture for additional 2 minutes, allowing flavors to meld. Garnish with fresh parsley and optional Parmesan cheese.
- Serve immediately while hot, presenting a vibrant and creamy dish.
Notes
- Choose chicken breasts with uniform thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry spots.
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help achieve a golden-brown, crispy exterior when searing.
- Avoid overcrowding the skillet to maintain high heat and promote proper browning of the chicken.
- Use fresh lemon zest and juice for a bright, vibrant flavor that elevates the entire dish.
- Test gnocchi doneness by watching them float to the surface, indicating they’re perfectly cooked.
- Keep sauce at a gentle simmer to prevent curdling and maintain a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Allow chicken to rest briefly after cooking to help retain moisture and ensure juicy meat.
- Gently toss gnocchi in the sauce to prevent breaking the delicate pasta.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg