Description
This creamy chicken and gnocchi recipe is a comforting and hearty one-pan meal featuring tender chicken breasts, pillowy potato gnocchi, fresh spinach, and mushrooms all simmered in a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, it combines savory flavors and creamy textures for a satisfying American-style main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Pasta
- 1 package (16 oz) potato gnocchi
Vegetables & Herbs
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Dairy & Liquid
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Oils & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add a little more oil if needed, then sauté the onion and garlic until fragrant and translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
- Cook Mushrooms: Add the sliced mushrooms and cook until they soften, about 4 minutes.
- Add Broth and Gnocchi: Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a simmer, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the gnocchi and cook according to package instructions, usually about 2-3 minutes until they float to the top.
- Make the Cream Sauce: Reduce heat to low, stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Combine and Heat Through: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, add the spinach and crushed red pepper flakes if using, and stir until the spinach wilts and everything is heated through.
- Season and Garnish: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream or use a dairy-free cream alternative.
- You can add other vegetables such as peas or sun-dried tomatoes for added flavor and color.
- To make it vegetarian, replace the chicken with extra mushrooms or a plant-based protein.
- Leftovers reheat well in a microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of broth.
