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Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi Skillet with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Parmesan Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 80 reviews

This Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi recipe features tender chicken breasts cooked with fragrant garlic and Italian seasoning, combined with pillowy gnocchi in a rich, velvety Parmesan cream sauce. Enhanced with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil, it’s a comforting and flavorful one-pan meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Sauce and Vegetables

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons butter, divided (plus 1 tablespoon salted butter mentioned in steps)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon salted butter (for browning gnocchi)
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • ½ cup milk
  • ½ cup cream
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup fresh sliced basil leaves, plus more for garnish (optional)

Main Ingredient

  • 1 lb gnocchi

Instructions

  1. Season the Chicken: Dice the chicken breasts into 2-inch pieces. Place them in a bowl and add the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well to evenly coat the chicken with the spices.
  2. Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the chicken pieces and cook undisturbed for about 3 minutes to brown. Stir and cook another 3 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and browned. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside, leaving the fat in the pan.
  3. Sauté Garlic and Onion: Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes. (Though onions are mentioned in instructions step 3, ingredients list does not specify onion; omit or assume slight sauté.)
  4. Brown the Gnocchi: Add the gnocchi and 1 tablespoon salted butter to the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi starts to brown.
  5. Add Spinach and Broth: Add fresh spinach and chicken broth to the skillet. Cover and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the spinach is wilted and the gnocchi is hydrated.
  6. Add Cream and Butter: Stir in the heavy cream and remaining 1 tablespoon salted butter. Heat gently until the butter is melted and the cream is steaming but not boiling.
  7. Create the Sauce: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until it melts smoothly into the sauce, forming a velvety texture.
  8. Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked diced chicken to the skillet and gently mix it into the creamy gnocchi sauce. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired before serving.

Notes

  • Use chicken breasts for tender, juicy pieces but avoid overcooking to keep the meat moist. Alternatively, chicken thighs or Italian sausage can be used for variation.
  • Both frozen and dried gnocchi work well; dried gnocchi is more economical and shelf-stable.
  • For a dairy-free substitute, full-fat coconut cream can replace heavy cream, and vegan butter can be used in place of regular butter.
  • If avoiding dairy altogether, nutritional yeast can provide a cheesy flavor, although the sauce will be less thick and creamy.

Keywords: Creamy chicken gnocchi, chicken gnocchi recipe, easy chicken dinner, one-pan creamy chicken, Italian comfort food

Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/creamy-chicken-and-gnocchi-skillet-with-sun-dried-tomatoes-and-parmesan-recipe/