If you’re searching for a fast, flavorful dinner that feels a little special but uses simple ingredients, you’ll love this Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet. It’s comfort food you can make on a busy weeknight, loaded with golden chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and a creamy garlicky sauce that somehow manages to taste elegant and cozy at the same time. Everything mingles right in one skillet for easy prep and quick cleanup, delivering those perfect Italian-inspired flavors in about 30 minutes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet is in how each ingredient is carefully chosen to create layers of flavor, color, and texture. You won’t need anything fancy — and every element has a real job to do in the finished dish!
- Chicken breast: Dice it up for quick, even cooking and tender bites that soak up all the garlicky creaminess.
- Potato gnocchi: These soft, chewy dumplings cook right in the sauce, making it hearty and filling.
- Olive oil: Adds a velvety base for sautéing while giving richness and a fruity aroma.
- Garlic cloves: The soul of this skillet — fresh, minced garlic infuses every bite with warmth and depth.
- Onion: A gentle sauté brings sweetness and background flavor to the sauce.
- Cherry tomatoes: Their slight acidity and color brighten everything up and burst deliciously in the creamy sauce.
- Fresh spinach: Wilts into the sauce for pop of color, nutrition, and a touch of earthiness.
- Heavy cream: Creates the lusciously creamy sauce that ties everything together — for a lighter version, try half-and-half.
- Chicken broth: Adds savory depth and helps the gnocchi cook to perfect pillowy softness.
- Parmesan cheese: Melts in at the end, thickening the sauce and delivering sharp, nutty notes.
- Italian seasoning: A ready-made blend of herbs that brings out that unmistakeable Italian flavor.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): Just a pinch for a gentle little kick, if you like a hint of spice.
- Salt and black pepper: Necessary for seasoning; taste as you go for perfectly balanced flavors.
- Fresh basil or parsley: Sprinkled on top right before serving for freshness and color.
How to Make Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
Step 1: Sear the Chicken
Start by heating 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. While the pan warms up, season your chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Once the oil shimmers, add the chicken and let it cook for about 5 to 6 minutes, tossing occasionally, until each piece is golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside; this locks in its juiciness so it doesn’t get dry later.
Step 2: Build the Aromatic Base
In the same skillet, pour in the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add your diced onion and sauté for about 2 minutes, just until it softens and becomes fragrant. Stir in the minced garlic and let it cook for another minute, letting it infuse the oil without letting it brown — just until you can really smell it wafting through the kitchen.
Step 3: Soften the Tomatoes
Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Stir and cook for a few minutes until they start to release their juices and soften. This step is magic: the tomatoes not only add color, but their sweetness bursts through in every bite of your Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet.
Step 4: Cook the Gnocchi and Simmer the Sauce
To the skillet, add the potato gnocchi, heavy cream, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and optional red pepper flakes. Give it all a good stir, making sure the gnocchi are nestled nicely into the creamy liquid. Bring the mixture up to a gentle simmer and let it bubble away for about 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi are pillowy and tender and the sauce has thickened beautifully.
Step 5: Finish with Greens and Cheese
Now, stir in your fresh spinach and grated Parmesan cheese. The spinach will wilt in less than a minute, and the Parmesan melts into the sauce, making it velvety and rich. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper, if needed. Slide the reserved chicken back into the skillet and toss everything together to coat each piece—your Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet is ready to shine!
How to Serve Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
Garnishes
For the prettiest finish (and a pop of flavor), shower your skillet with fresh basil or parsley right before serving. A little extra grated Parmesan is always welcome. If you like a touch of heat, sprinkle a few more red pepper flakes over the top just before digging in.
Side Dishes
This Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet is a complete meal on its own, but if you want to make it even more special, serve it alongside a crisp green salad, rustic garlic bread, or roasted vegetables like asparagus or broccolini. These sides help round out the meal and keep things vibrant.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dramatic family-style presentation, bring the skillet right to the table and serve straight from the pan—freshly garnished, it looks beautiful! Or, divide the gnocchi into shallow bowls, swirling each portion for a restaurant-worthy look. Individual ramekins are great for parties, making every portion feel like a little gift.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with extra Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet, let it cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. It keeps well in the fridge for up to three days, making it a wonderful option for packed lunches or quick weeknight reheats.
Freezing
While gnocchi dishes with cream sauce aren’t always the best candidates for freezing, you can make it work. Spoon cooled leftovers into a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 1 month. Be aware that the sauce might separate or become a bit grainy after thawing, but a gentle stir and splash of cream or broth during reheating can help bring it back together.
Reheating
To reheat, simply warm the Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce if needed. Stir gently until everything is hot and creamy again. If reheating in the microwave, use medium power in short bursts, stirring between intervals for even warming.
FAQs
Can I use frozen gnocchi for this recipe?
Absolutely! You can use frozen, shelf-stable, or even homemade potato gnocchi for Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet—just add them directly to the skillet, no need to pre-cook.
What protein alternatives work in this skillet?
If you don’t have chicken on hand, try the same method with shrimp, turkey, or Italian sausage for a fun twist. Just adjust cooking times as needed.
How spicy does this get with red pepper flakes?
The recipe as written is only lightly spicy, but feel free to omit or increase the red pepper flakes to suit your taste—Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet is endlessly adaptable!
What can I use instead of heavy cream?
Half-and-half works perfectly for a lighter sauce, or use a splash of whole milk plus an extra sprinkle of cheese for a still-creamy finish.
Can this be made dairy-free?
Yes! Swap the cream for a dairy-free alternative (like coconut cream or unsweetened oat creamer) and use a vegan Parmesan-style cheese.
Final Thoughts
When you need comfort and flavor in under an hour, Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet never disappoints. Give it a try and see how quickly it wins a spot in your regular dinner lineup—your taste buds (and your family) will thank you!
Print
Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A delightful one-pan meal that combines tender garlic-infused chicken with pillowy potato gnocchi in a creamy Parmesan sauce, accented with cherry tomatoes and fresh spinach. This Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
For the Gnocchi Dish:
- 1 pound potato gnocchi
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then cook for 5–6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Prepare the Gnocchi Dish: In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil and sauté the onion for 2 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in cherry tomatoes and cook until they begin to soften. Add gnocchi, heavy cream, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5–6 minutes until gnocchi are tender and sauce thickens.
- Finish the Dish: Stir in spinach and Parmesan cheese until spinach wilts and sauce becomes creamy. Return chicken to the skillet and toss to coat. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- For extra richness, add a tablespoon of butter when sautéing the garlic.
- You can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream for a lighter dish.
- This recipe also works well with store-bought shelf-stable gnocchi or homemade.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (about ¼ of recipe)
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
