This Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet Recipe is your new go-to for a comforting weeknight dinner that feels a little fancy but comes together without any fuss. It's perfect when you want something hearty and creamy, packed with garlicky flavor, and ready in about 30 minutes. I love how the tender gnocchi soak up that luscious sauce while the chicken stays juicy and flavorful-trust me, you'll notice every bite melts in your mouth.
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What Sets This Apart
This recipe shines because it balances rich and fresh flavors with a quick, one-pan approach that still feels indulgent. The garlic-infused creamy sauce clings to every pillow-soft gnocchi piece and tender chicken bite.
- Consistent Results: The step-by-step seasoning and cooking order ensures juicy chicken and perfectly cooked gnocchi every time.
- Rich, Balanced Flavor: Garlic and Parmesan cheese build a deep-savory sauce with just the right creaminess, brightened by fresh spinach.
- Pantry-First Ingredients: With simple staples like garlic, chicken broth, and gnocchi, it's super accessible and easy to make on a whim.
- Weeknight Friendly: Ready in about 30 minutes, it's perfect for busy evenings when you want a cozy meal fast.
Ingredient Snapshot
The ingredients for this Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet Recipe are friendly staples-but their quality shapes the final dish. Choosing fresh garlic and good-quality gnocchi can take this from simple to spectacular, while seasoning the chicken well guarantees flavor in every bite.
- Chicken breasts: Look for firm, fresh breasts. Cutting into uniform bite-sized pieces helps them cook evenly and stay juicy.
- Gnocchi: Choose fresh or refrigerated gnocchi over frozen for the best texture and quickest cooking.
- Fresh spinach: Use baby spinach for quick wilting and a tender, bright pop in the dish.
- Garlic: Fresh cloves offer a vibrant and toasted garlic flavor you won't get from powders alone.
Quick Note: Exact measurements and a printable recipe card are at the bottom to keep you on track.
How to Make Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet Recipe
Step 1 - Prep & Season
Start by cutting your chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces-aim for roughly uniform chunks so they cook evenly. Toss these pieces in garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper; this combo creates a deep, flavorful crust. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until it's shimmering but not smoking. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook without stirring too often-about 5 to 6 minutes-until golden and cooked through. You'll know it's ready when the pieces are nicely browned and no longer pink inside. Remove the chicken and set it aside-don't skip this step since it locks in juiciness.
Step 2 - Build Flavor
Reduce the heat to medium and add butter to the same skillet. This leftover fond from the chicken is pure flavor, so don't clean the pan! Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 to 2 minutes until it smells utterly fragrant but not burnt. Pour in chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to lift those caramelized bits-they give the sauce character. Then stir in heavy cream and bring the sauce just to a gentle simmer. You'll know it's right when tiny bubbles form around the edges, but the sauce isn't boiling fiercely yet. This is the heart of your creamy, garlicky sauce.
Step 3 - Finish for Best Texture
Stir in the gnocchi right into the sauce. Cover the skillet with the lid and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. You're aiming for the gnocchi to puff up and soak in that garlicky creaminess. Once the gnocchi are tender but still hold their shape, sprinkle in Parmesan cheese and stir until it melts fully, creating a glossy richness. Toss in fresh spinach and optional sun-dried tomatoes if using-watch the spinach quickly wilt, taking just a minute or two. Finally, return the chicken to the skillet, mixing everything well. Let it all warm through together for 2 minutes; this melds the flavors beautifully. Resist the urge to overcook, or the cream can separate and the spinach can become soggy.
Cook's Notes & Tricks
From my kitchen to yours, the secret is in timing and heat control. I found that rushing the gnocchi or cranking the heat too high breaks the sauce and leaves you with unevenly cooked chicken.
- Doneness Cue: Chicken should be golden brown outside with no pink inside, gnocchi should be soft but still plump.
- Temperature Trick: Keep sauce at a gentle simmer, never a full boil, to avoid separating the cream.
- Make-Ahead Move: Cook the chicken ahead and refrigerate separately to speed up assembly on a busy night.
- Avoid This Pitfall: Don't overcrowd the skillet while searing chicken; it steams instead of browns.
Serve & Enjoy
Finishing Touches
To finish this Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet Recipe, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top-it adds a pop of color and a subtle herbaceous brightness that cuts through the creamy sauce. A dusting of extra Parmesan adds a slightly nutty, salty crunch. Serve it hot from the pan to enjoy that beautiful glossy sauce coating every bite.
Pairs Beautifully With
I love pairing this dish with a crisp side salad, like arugula tossed in lemon vinaigrette, which brings some refreshing acidity. Garlic bread or a warm baguette is perfect too-it's great for sopping up any leftover sauce. Light roasted veggies, like asparagus or Brussels sprouts, add texture dimension and help balance the richness.
Simple Plating Wins
When plating, serve the skillet portions with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and Parmesan on top. If you're cooking for guests or want to elevate the look, drizzle a little high-quality olive oil or a squeeze of lemon over each plate-these small details make a cozy yet polished dinner.
Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheat
Storing Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The gnocchi can absorb sauce and thicken when chilled, so loosen the dish with a splash of broth or cream when reheating to bring back creaminess.
Freezing Tips
This recipe freezes okay but not perfectly-the cream sauce may separate slightly and gnocchi texture can soften. If freezing, portion it without the fresh spinach, add that fresh when reheating. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.
Reheating Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet Recipe Without Drying Out
When reheating, I prefer gently warming the skillet on low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream to revive the sauce's silky texture. The microwave works too-cover the dish loosely and add a little liquid to prevent drying. In an air fryer, reheat at low temp briefly but keep an eye to avoid overcooking the gnocchi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, though fresh or refrigerated gnocchi cooks faster and tends to have a better texture. If using frozen, add a few extra minutes to the cooking time and keep an eye to prevent overcooking.
You can use half-and-half or a combination of milk and cream cheese for a lighter sauce, but the texture and richness may be slightly less creamy.
Absolutely! Skip the chicken and add extra mushrooms or roasted vegetables to keep it hearty while still enjoying the creamy garlic sauce.
Stir the gnocchi gently and occasionally while they cook covered in the sauce. The sauce's liquid helps keep them separated, so avoid overcooking or letting the sauce thicken too much before adding the gnocchi.
Final Thoughts
This Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet Recipe is a wonderful way to bring cozy comfort to your kitchen without spending hours. I often come back to it when I want a meal that feels special but doesn't require a lot of hands-on time. Cooking it once gives you confidence to tweak and make it your own-try swapping in veggies you love or adjusting herbs for more brightness. Whatever you do, get ready for a flavorful, creamy dinner that leaves everyone asking for seconds.
PrintFull Recipe
Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet Recipe
This Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet is a hearty and comforting one-pan meal featuring tender chicken pieces, pillowy potato gnocchi, and fresh spinach all simmered in a creamy garlic Parmesan sauce. Perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner ready in 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 medium chicken breasts (about 1 lb), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Skillet:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 (16 oz) package potato gnocchi
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- Optional: ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
For Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Additional grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Season and Cook the Chicken: Begin by seasoning the chicken pieces with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss the chicken in the spices to coat evenly. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken and cook for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Sauté the Garlic: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Build the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the skillet to deglaze it, incorporating all those delicious browned bits from the chicken. Add the heavy cream and stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Add the Gnocchi: Stir the gnocchi directly into the simmering sauce. Cover the skillet with a lid and let the gnocchi cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. The gnocchi will absorb the flavors of the sauce as they soften.
- Incorporate the Parmesan and Spinach: Once the gnocchi is tender, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce, creating a creamy consistency. Add the fresh spinach and stir until it wilts, about 2 minutes. If using sun-dried tomatoes, stir them in at this stage.
- Return the Chicken to the Skillet: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to combine. Let everything cook together for another 2 minutes, allowing the chicken to heat through and soak up the creamy garlic sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and garnish with fresh parsley and additional grated Parmesan. Serve the Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet warm and enjoy!
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
- If fresh spinach is unavailable, baby spinach or kale can be used as alternatives.
- Sun-dried tomatoes add a tangy sweetness but can be omitted if preferred.
- To make it spicier, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.
- Make sure not to overcook the gnocchi as it can become mushy; cook until just tender.
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