This Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet is the ultimate one-pan comfort food! Imagine tender chicken pieces and pillowy potato gnocchi swimming in a rich, creamy garlic Parmesan sauce, all cooked together in a single skillet. I love how this recipe is both incredibly easy to make and packed with flavor. It’s perfect for a busy weeknight when you need a satisfying and delicious meal without a lot of fuss. Get ready for a dish that feels indulgent but comes together quickly!
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
- One-Pan Meal: Everything cooks together in one skillet, which means minimal cleanup!
- Creamy and Flavorful: The sauce, made with heavy cream, chicken broth, garlic, and Parmesan, is incredibly rich and satisfying.
- Quick and Easy: Ready in about 30 minutes, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights.
- Comfort Food: Soft gnocchi, tender chicken, and a creamy sauce – it’s pure comfort in a bowl.
- Customizable: Easily add vegetables or adjust the seasonings to your liking.
Ingredients for Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious skillet meal. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Main Ingredients
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces (Meat)
- Potato gnocchi (Pasta/Potato)
- Garlic, minced (Aromatic)
- Heavy cream (Dairy)
- Chicken broth (Liquid)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (Dairy)
- Olive oil (Oil)
Seasoning
- Dried Italian herbs (Spice Blend)
- Salt (Seasoning)
- Freshly ground black pepper (Spice)
Garnish
- Fresh basil leaves (Herb)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love this Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:
- Add Vegetables: Stir in some fresh spinach, peas, sun-dried tomatoes, or sautéed mushrooms along with the garlic.
- Different Protein: Use cooked Italian sausage, shrimp, or even chickpeas instead of chicken.
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Different Cheese: Use Asiago, Romano, or a blend of Italian cheeses instead of Parmesan.
- Add Lemon: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end can brighten up the flavors.
How to Make Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
Let me show you how easy it is to make this Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet:
Cook the Chicken
- I heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- I add the chicken pieces and season them with salt, pepper, and dried Italian herbs.
- I cook until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- I remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
Sauté Garlic
- In the same skillet, I add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it – we want that gorgeous garlic flavor, not bitterness!
Add Broth and Gnocchi
- I pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. These little flavor bombs will make your sauce even more delicious!
- I add the gnocchi to the skillet and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- I cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi starts to become tender.
Make the Cream Sauce
- I reduce the heat to medium-low and pour in the heavy cream.
- I stir gently to combine and let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken.
Combine and Finish
- I add the cooked chicken back to the skillet along with the grated Parmesan cheese.
- I stir everything together until the cheese is melted and the chicken is heated through.
- I taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take it away!
Serve
- Serve and garnish
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Gnocchi Skillet
Here are my secrets for making this dish truly exceptional:
- Don’t Overcook the Gnocchi: Gnocchi cooks quickly! Simmer it just until tender; overcooked gnocchi becomes gummy.
- Scrape the Pan: Don’t skip scraping the browned bits (fond) from the bottom of the skillet – they add immense flavor to the sauce.
- Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and has a superior flavor compared to pre-shredded.
- Adjust Sauce Consistency: If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or milk. If it’s too thin, let it simmer a little longer.
- Fresh Basil Garnish: The fresh basil adds a wonderful pop of color and freshness at the end.
How to Serve
This Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet is delicious served:
- On its Own: It’s a complete and satisfying meal right out of the skillet.
- With Crusty Bread: Perfect for soaking up the creamy sauce.
- With a Side Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette balances the richness.
Make Ahead and Storage
Leftover chicken gnocchi can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or milk if needed to loosen the sauce.
FAQs about Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
- Can I use a different type of gnocchi?
- Yes, cauliflower gnocchi or sweet potato gnocchi could work, but cooking times might vary. Shelf-stable potato gnocchi is recommended for this recipe.
- Can I make this without the heavy cream?
- You can substitute half-and-half or milk, but the sauce won’t be as rich and creamy.
- Can I add vegetables to this dish?
- Absolutely! Spinach, peas, sun-dried tomatoes, or mushrooms are great additions.
Enjoy this creamy, flavorful, and incredibly easy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet! It’s a perfect comfort food meal for any night of the week.
Print
Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 1x
- Category: Main Course, Pasta, Gnocchi
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired, American
Description
This Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet is a creamy, comforting, and flavorful one-pan meal. Tender chicken pieces and soft potato gnocchi are simmered in a rich garlic cream sauce with Parmesan cheese and Italian herbs.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 pound shelf-stable potato gnocchi (see notes)
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (or Italian seasoning)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Cook Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces. Season generously with salt, pepper, and dried Italian herbs. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the same skillet (use the remaining oil/chicken drippings). Sauté over medium heat for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Deglaze with Broth: Pour in the chicken broth. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape up any browned bits (fond) from the bottom of the skillet. These add flavor to the sauce.
- Cook Gnocchi: Add the potato gnocchi to the skillet with the broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi starts to become tender. Follow package directions if they differ significantly.
- Add Cream: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Pour in the heavy cream and stir gently to combine. Let the sauce simmer gently for another 2-3 minutes, or until it starts to thicken slightly.
- Combine and Finish: Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Continue to stir until the cheese is melted and the chicken is heated through.
- Season and Serve: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper, if needed. Garnish with fresh chopped basil leaves, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Gnocchi: This recipe uses shelf-stable potato gnocchi typically found in the pasta aisle. If using fresh or frozen gnocchi, adjust cooking times according to package directions.
- Chicken: You can substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs if preferred.
- Cream: Heavy cream creates the richest sauce. You can substitute half-and-half for a slightly lighter version, but the sauce may be thinner.
- Parmesan: Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and melting quality.
- Variations: Add other vegetables like spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or mushrooms along with the garlic.
- Serving Suggestions: This is a hearty one-pan meal. Serve with a side salad or crusty bread.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently.