What the heck is this?
This is the kind of weeknight meal that makes you feel like you’ve got your life together. We’re talking juicy chicken, pillowy gnocchi, a creamy garlic-Parmesan sauce, and spinach all cozying up in one glorious skillet. It’s rich, garlicky, and comforting with zero fuss. No oven. No boiling water. Just a one-pan situation that tastes like it took hours but is done in under 30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Creamy, garlicky, cheesy perfection in every bite
• One pan = minimal cleanup
• Ready in under 30 minutes
• Pantry-friendly with easy swaps
• Feels fancy, eats like comfort food
The Good Stuff You’ll Need
• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, diced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (16-oz) package shelf-stable gnocchi
• 1 ½ cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups baby spinach
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Optional: red pepper flakes and fresh parsley for garnish
Let’s Do This
- Cook the chicken.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and cooked through, about 6–7 minutes. Remove to a plate and set aside. - Sauté the garlic.
In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute (don’t let it brown!). - Add gnocchi and liquids.
Stir in gnocchi, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for about 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until gnocchi are tender and the sauce is thickening. - Finish it off.
Stir in Parmesan cheese, cooked chicken, and baby spinach. Let it all warm through and wilt the spinach, about 2 minutes. Taste and season with more salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if you like heat. - Serve and swoon.
Spoon into bowls, top with fresh parsley and maybe more cheese. Sigh happily.
Serving Suggestions
• Serve with garlic bread to mop up every drop
• A crisp green salad balances the richness
• Or skip sides and eat it straight from the pan—you earned it
Switch It Up
• Swap spinach for kale or sun-dried tomatoes
• Use rotisserie chicken to save time
• Sub in half-and-half or evaporated milk for a lighter version
• Add mushrooms or peas for extra veggies
Make-Ahead Tips
• Great for meal prep—reheats well in the microwave or stovetop
• Add a splash of broth or cream when reheating to loosen the sauce
• You can cook the chicken and keep it refrigerated a day ahead to speed things up
Questions People Actually Ask
Q: Can I use frozen gnocchi?
A: Yes, just thaw it first or give it an extra minute or two to cook in the sauce.
Q: What’s the best pan to use?
A: A deep nonstick skillet or sauté pan works best—you want room for sauce and stirring.
Q: Can I make this vegetarian?
A: Absolutely—skip the chicken and sub veggie broth. Add mushrooms or chickpeas for heartiness.
Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet: One-Pan Comfort That Hits Hard
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
This is the kind of weeknight meal that makes you feel like you’ve got your life together. We’re talking juicy chicken, pillowy gnocchi, a creamy garlic-Parmesan sauce, and spinach all cozying up in one glorious skillet. It’s rich, garlicky, and comforting with zero fuss. No oven. No boiling water. Just a one-pan situation that tastes like it took hours but is done in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, diced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (16-oz) package shelf-stable gnocchi
• 1 ½ cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups baby spinach
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Optional: red pepper flakes and fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Cook the chicken.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and cooked through, about 6–7 minutes. Remove to a plate and set aside.Sauté the garlic.
In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute (don’t let it brown!).Add gnocchi and liquids.
Stir in gnocchi, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for about 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until gnocchi are tender and the sauce is thickening.Finish it off.
Stir in Parmesan cheese, cooked chicken, and baby spinach. Let it all warm through and wilt the spinach, about 2 minutes. Taste and season with more salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if you like heat.Serve and swoon.
Spoon into bowls, top with fresh parsley and maybe more cheese. Sigh happily.
Notes
• Serve with garlic bread to mop up every drop
• A crisp green salad balances the richness
• Or skip sides and eat it straight from the pan—you earned it
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~610 kcal per serving
- Carbohydrates: ~38g
- Protein: ~35g