Creamy Herb Chicken Gnocchi (Printable)
Tender chicken and gnocchi in a creamy herb sauce, ready in one skillet under 40 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup baby spinach, roughly chopped
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
→ Gnocchi & Dairy
06 - 1 lb potato gnocchi (fresh or shelf-stable)
07 - 1 cup heavy cream
08 - 1/2 cup chicken broth
09 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
11 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Fresh Herbs
12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
13 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
14 - 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
15 - 1 teaspoon chopped fresh chives
→ Spices & Seasonings
16 - 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
17 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# Step-by-step:
01 - Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
02 - In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Sauté the diced onion for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
04 - Add the gnocchi to the skillet. Cover and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi is tender and cooked through.
05 - Return the seared chicken to the skillet along with the chopped spinach and halved cherry tomatoes. Stir to combine and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until the spinach wilts.
06 - Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and all the fresh herbs. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
07 - Remove the skillet from heat and let stand for 2 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly. Serve hot, garnished with extra herbs and Parmesan if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one skillet, which means you get all the comfort with barely any cleanup afterward.
- The creamy herb sauce clings to every piece of gnocchi and chicken, making each bite feel indulgent without requiring any fancy technique.
02 -
- Do not rush the sear on the chicken because that golden crust is what gives the sauce its deep, savory flavor as it simmers.
- If the sauce seems too thick after adding the gnocchi, splash in a little extra chicken broth to loosen it up before serving.
03 -
- Let the chicken sit in the pan without stirring for at least three minutes on the first side because patience is the difference between pale and perfectly golden.
- Grate your Parmesan fresh from the block because pre grated cheese contains anti caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly into the sauce.