Description
Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi is a comforting Italian American main course featuring tender chicken breast, pillowy potato gnocchi, and a rich, velvety sauce made with garlic, herbs, and Parmesan cheese. This hearty stovetop dish is perfect for an easy weeknight meal, delivering warm flavors with a creamy texture and a hint of fresh spinach for added vibrancy.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
Gnocchi and Greens
- 1 package (16 ounces) potato gnocchi
- 1 cup fresh baby spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until browned and cooked through, then remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, melt the butter and sauté the finely diced onion for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and dried Italian seasoning, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Make the Roux: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the onion and garlic mixture. Stir continuously for 1 minute to cook the flour and create a roux base for the sauce.
- Add Liquids and Thicken: Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, scraping any browned bits off the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until it slightly thickens.
- Finish the Sauce and Combine: Stir in the heavy cream and return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the gnocchi and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes until the gnocchi are tender and the sauce has thickened to your liking.
- Add Greens and Cheese: Stir in the chopped baby spinach and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until the spinach wilts and the cheese melts into the sauce.
- Serve: Serve the creamy chicken and gnocchi warm, straight from the skillet for a comforting and satisfying meal.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half and half for heavy cream to reduce richness.
- Enhance flavor by adding sautéed mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes.
- If the sauce becomes too thick during cooking, add a splash of chicken broth to loosen it.
