Description
This Creamy Chicken Gnocchi recipe is a comforting and flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender chicken breast, pillowy gnocchi, and a rich sun-dried tomato pesto cream sauce studded with fresh baby spinach and Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick, satisfying weeknight dinner that feels indulgent yet easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce & Main Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream, room temperature
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ¼ cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomato pesto
- 1 pound gnocchi (1 package)
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
Instructions
- Cook Chicken: Season the cubed chicken breasts with kosher salt and ground black pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), ensuring it is cooked through and golden on the outside. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make Sauce and Cook Gnocchi: In the same skillet, without cleaning it, combine the heavy cream, low-sodium chicken broth, freshly shredded Parmesan cheese, and sun-dried tomato pesto. Stir well to mix the ingredients, then add the gnocchi to the skillet. Cover the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the gnocchi to soften and absorb the flavors from the sauce.
- Add Chicken and Spinach: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir it into the sauce and gnocchi. Add the fresh baby spinach and cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the spinach is wilted and everything is heated through.
- Serve: Give the dish a final stir, then serve immediately while warm and creamy for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Make sure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
- Using room temperature heavy cream helps it blend smoothly into the sauce without curdling.
- Covering the skillet while cooking the gnocchi helps steam it to a tender texture.
- Fresh baby spinach cooks quickly—avoid overcooking to retain its vibrant color and nutrition.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute heavy cream and Parmesan with coconut cream and nutritional yeast, respectively, though this will change the flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
