One Pan Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi
This One Pan Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi is perfect when you are craving a comforting meal that’s rich, hearty, and full of flavor! Tender chicken breast and pillowy gnocchi are cooked in a creamy sauce that is loaded with incredible flavor.
Looking for easy one-pan or one-pot meals? Try this Easy Marry Me Chicken, One Pot Spaghetti with Sausage, or this Easy Cheesy Goulash!
What you’ll love about this recipe:
RECIPE INGREDIENTS
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi:
INGREDIENT NOTES
Gnocchi: For this recipe, I use shelf-stable potato gnocchi, found in the pasta aisle.
Spices: You’ll notice lots of my recipes include a very similar mix of spices: smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder–those are like my holy trinity spices! I always have them on hand. Check out my other Essential Spices For Your Kitchen!
Sun-Dried Tomatoes: I use the kind packed in oil for max flavor, but you can use regular dry sun-dried tomatoes. If you use the ones packed in oil, just make sure you give them a quick dab with a paper towel to remove the excess oil.
HOW TO MAKE ONE PAN CREAMY CHICKEN AND GNOCCHI: STEP-BY-STEP
Here are some quick visual instructions. Remember that full instructions with exact ingredients will be in the printable recipe card below!
Step 1: Season chicken, cook 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 165°F.
Transfer chicken to a plate and cover tightly with aluminum foil.
Step 2: In the same skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add onions and cook 1-2 minutes. Add flour and use a whisk to whisk it around to create a thick paste.
Add in the chicken broth and whisk, whisk, whisk to create a thick sauce. Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a boil. Then stir in chives, Italian seasoning, sundried tomatoes, and minced garlic.
Step 3: Add your package of gnocchi. Cook for 4-5 minutes until gnocchi is tender. Then, add back your cooked chicken and ALL THE DELICIOUS JUICES FROM THE PLATE!
Cook a few minutes more to warm the chicken. Spoon the sauce and gnocchi over the chicken. Serve right away!
RECIPE TIPS & TRICKS
- Shortcut: For a slight “shortcut” and a bit quicker cooking time, use chicken breast tenders or cut your chicken breasts into smaller pieces.
- Whisk, Whisk, Whisk: For a super smooth and non-lumpy sauce make sure you whisk, whisk, whisk as you add in the chicken stock.
- Sauce: If the sauce becomes too thick, just add a few more splashes of chicken stock to thin it out a bit.
- Delicious Juices: When you add the chicken back to the pan, make sure you add back in all the delicious juice that accumulated on the plate while the chicken was resting. TONS OF FLAVOR right there!!!
Lazy Girl Tip
Short on time? Omit steps 1 & 2 and just make the sauce. Then stir in cooked rotisserie chicken for a super quick and easy shortcut!
STORAGE & REHEATING
Storage: Cool completely and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat in a pan for 3-5 minutes over medium heat until heated through The gnocchi will release starch into the sauce making it super thick, so you’ll want to add a splash of chicken stock to thin it out a bit.
Freezing: Due to all the creaminess going on in this dish, it just doesn’t freeze well.
Additions & Substitutions
ADDITIONS:
- Spice: Add cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes for a little spice.
- Diced Tomatoes: You can add a can of diced tomatoes or Rotel (drained) to make a tomato cream sauce.
- Spinach: Stir in a few handfuls of baby spinach for color and flavor.
- Parmesan Cheese: For an extra creamy and decadent sauce, stir in 1/2 cup parmesan cheese when you add the gnocchi.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are also perfect for this recipe.
- Italian Sausage: To make this extra flavorful, stir in cooked Italian sausage when you add the chicken back to the pan. Extra time, but also extra flavor!
- Gnocchi: Cauliflower gnocchi is a good option, too.
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Since this dish has a creamy sauce, I love serving something fresh and green on the side. Green beans, broccoli, or a simple green salad are perfect sides. And of course, garlic bread is never a bad idea!
The gnocchi has a lot of starch in it that will release into the sauce as it cooks. If you find the sauce is too thick, stir in a few splashes of chicken stock until you reach the desired consistency.
I use shelf-stable gnocchi that is found in the pasta aisle.
I have personally had good luck with the De Ceeco brand and it’s widely available in most grocery stores and Walmart. Trader Joe’s also makes a very good shelf-stable gnocchi that’s found in their pasta section.
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I hope you love this Creamy One Pan Chicken and Gnocchi! If you make it be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Enjoy, xo!
One Pan Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi
Equipment
- Sharp Knife also available at Walmart
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut in half horizontally
- 2 tsp kosher salt or sea salt
- 1 tsp smoked paprika regular paprika works, too
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 4 tbsp salted butter
- 1 small onion, diced about a cup
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups chicken stock regular chicken broth works, too
- 1 cup heavy cream can sub half and half
- 1 tbsp dried chives can sub fresh chives
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 4 tbsp sun-dried tomatoes, chopped I used the tomatoes packed in oil and patted off the excess oil.
- 1-2 tsp garlic cloves, minced
- 16 oz. packaged uncooked gnocchi I use shelf-stable gnocchi in the pasta aisle, not the refrigerated kind
Instructions
- Prep: Using a sharp knife, slice chicken breasts in half horizontally (for quick,, even cooking). Then, season both sides with smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, and salt.
- Cook Chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 165°F.Transfer chicken to a plate and cover tightly with aluminum foil.
- Make Sauce: In the same skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add onions and cook 1-2 minutes. Add flour and use a whisk to whisk it around to create a thick paste. Add in the chicken broth and whisk, whisk, whisk to create a thick sauce. Whisk in the heavy cream and bring to a boil.Tip: As you are whisking, make sure you are scraping up all those nice brown bits from the bottom of the pan!
- Add Spices: Once the sauce is boiling, stir in chives, Italian seasoning, sundried tomatoes, and minced garlic.
- Add Gnocchi & Chicken: Reduce heat the medium and add gnocchi. Cook for 4-5 minutes until gnocchi is tender. Then, add back your cooked chicken and ALL THE DELICIOUS JUICES FROM THE PLATE!Cook a few minutes more to warm the chicken. Spoon the sauce and gnocchi over the chicken. Serve right away!
Notes
- Shortcut: For a slight “shortcut” and a bit quicker cooking time, using chicken breast tenders or cut your chicken breasts into smaller pieces.
- Whisk, Whisk, Whisk: For a super smooth and non-lumpy sauce make sure you whisk, whisk, whisk as you add in the chicken stock.
- Sauce: If the sauce becomes too thick, just add a few more splashes of chicken stock to thin it out a bit.
Thank you!
Better than store-bought and so much more wholesome! Loving these!
It’s the ultimate comfort meal, and it’s unbelievably easy to make. The chicken was moist, and the gnocchi turned out perfectly – soft and pillowy. The creamy sauce was simply divine.
The sun dried tomatoes I think made a huge difference. I have made something similar before but this was way tastier!
I am a huge gnocchi fan and really enjoyed this dish. Great tip on using chicken breast tenders to save time!
This was everything a gourmet meal should be and then some! Easy, hearty and delicious; definitely, a new favorite dish!