The first time I made Creamy Chicken Spinach Gnocchi, my family cleaned their plates in record time. There's something magical about pillowy gnocchi swimming in a creamy garlic sauce with tender chicken and fresh spinach.
My husband said it tastes like restaurant food, and my daughter asked if we could have it every week. This one pan meal is comfort food at its best, and it comes together faster than ordering takeout.
Why You'll Love This Creamy Chicken Spinach Gnocchi
This is one of those gnocchi recipes that feels fancy but requires zero fancy skills. You get tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, fresh spinach, and a rich, creamy sauce all made in one pan. It's perfect for easy weeknight dinners when you want something cozy and satisfying. My sister made this for her book club and everyone demanded the recipe. Plus, cleanup is a breeze since everything cooks together.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Creamy Chicken Spinach Gnocchi
- What You'll Need
- How to Make Creamy Chicken Spinach Gnocchi
- Aliana's Top Tip
- Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
- Storage & Reheating Instructions
- What to Serve With Creamy Chicken Spinach Gnocchi
- FAQs About Creamy Chicken Spinach Gnocchi
- More Recipes You'll Love
- Related
- Pairing
- Creamy Chicken Spinach Gnocchi Recipe
- More DINNER
What You'll Need
Simple ingredients come together to create this restaurant-quality chicken gnocchi dish. Most of what you need is probably in your kitchen right now, and the rest is easy to grab.
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 pound gnocchi (fresh or shelf-stable)
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Optional Extras
You can add sliced mushrooms for extra earthiness, sun-dried tomatoes for tangy flavor, or swap spinach for kale. Some folks like adding a splash of white wine to the sauce. Want it lighter? Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
Check the recipe card for exact measurements.
How to Make Creamy Chicken Spinach Gnocchi
Cook the Chicken
Heat the olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Add them to the skillet and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. This chicken gnocchi recipes healthy base starts with perfectly seasoned meat.
Sauté the Garlic
In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it. The garlic creates the flavor foundation for this creamy chicken and gnocchi with spinach and mushrooms inspired dish.
Add Gnocchi and Liquids
Add the gnocchi to the skillet, followed by the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir everything together and bring to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi is tender and the sauce starts to thicken. The pillowy gnocchi soaks up all that creamy goodness.
Q: Can I use frozen gnocchi?
Yes! Frozen gnocchi works great. Just add it straight from the freezer without thawing. It might need an extra minute or two of cooking time.
Add Spinach and Parmesan
Stir in the fresh spinach and let it wilt into the sauce, about 1 to 2 minutes. Add the parmesan cheese and stir until melted and the sauce is creamy and smooth. Season with additional salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. The spinach adds color and nutrients to this easy gnocchi meals favorite.
Return Chicken and Serve
Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet and toss everything together until well combined and heated through. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra parmesan if desired. Serve hot straight from the pan. This one pan chicken and gnocchi is pure comfort in a bowl.
Aliana's Top Tip
The secret to the creamiest sauce is not letting it boil too hard once you add the cream.
Keep it at a gentle simmer so the sauce thickens without breaking.
Also, don't skip the parmesan.
It adds incredible flavor and helps thicken the sauce naturally.
My mom always said "good cheese makes good food," and she was absolutely right.
Follow Aliana on Pinterest →Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
You can easily swap chicken thighs for breasts, or use rotisserie chicken to save time. For a lighter version, use half-and-half or milk thickened with a bit of cornstarch. Add mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, or artichoke hearts for extra flavor. This creamy spinach and mushroom gnocchi concept is endlessly adaptable.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Keep leftover creamy chicken spinach gnocchi in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of cream or broth to loosen the sauce. You can also microwave individual portions. The gnocchi may absorb some sauce as it sits, so add extra liquid when reheating.
What to Serve With Creamy Chicken Spinach Gnocchi
This dish is hearty enough to stand alone, but it pairs beautifully with garlic bread, a simple green salad, or roasted vegetables. My family loves it with a crisp Caesar salad and crusty bread for dipping in the sauce. It's also great with a glass of white wine for a cozy dinner for two.
FAQs About Creamy Chicken Spinach Gnocchi
Can I make this ahead of time?
You can cook the chicken and prep the ingredients ahead, but the gnocchi is best cooked fresh. The whole dish comes together in 20 minutes, so it's fast enough for weeknights.
What if I don't have heavy cream?
Use half-and-half mixed with a tablespoon of flour, or whole milk thickened with a cornstarch slurry. It won't be quite as rich but still delicious.
Can I add other vegetables?
Absolutely! Mushrooms, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, or zucchini all work great. Just sauté them with the garlic before adding the liquids.
Is gnocchi gluten-free?
Traditional gnocchi is made with wheat flour, but you can find gluten-free versions at most grocery stores. Just check the label.
More Recipes You'll Love
If you're craving more easy gnocchi recipes, my pesto gnocchi is fresh, bright, and ready in 15 minutes. For another creamy chicken dish, try my marry me chicken or explore more quick dinner ideas in my collection. You'll find this recipe and many others in my Dinner category, where family dinner favorites shine.
Tried this recipe? Tag me on Pinterest @AlianaRecipes - I'd love to see your twist on it!
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Creamy Chicken Spinach Gnocchi Recipe:
Creamy Chicken Spinach Gnocchi Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Large skillet For cooking chicken and making the sauce
- 1 Wooden spoon or spatula For stirring gnocchi and sauce
- 1 Knife and cutting board For cutting chicken and mincing garlic
- 1 Measuring cups and spoons For accurate ingredient portions
Ingredients
- 1 pound Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts - Cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 pound Gnocchi - Fresh or shelf-stable
- 3 cups Fresh spinach - Packed
- 1 cup Heavy cream - For rich sauce
- ½ cup Chicken broth - Low-sodium preferred
- 3 cloves Garlic - Minced
- ½ cup Grated parmesan cheese - Freshly grated works best
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil or butter - For cooking
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - Dried herb blend
- ½ teaspoon Red pepper flakes - Optional for heat
- - to taste Salt and black pepper - For seasoning
- - for garnish Fresh parsley - Chopped, optional
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Add them to the skillet and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.
- Add the gnocchi to the skillet, followed by the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir everything together and bring to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi is tender and the sauce starts to thicken.
- Stir in the fresh spinach and let it wilt into the sauce, about 1 to 2 minutes. Add the parmesan cheese and stir until melted and the sauce is creamy and smooth. Season with additional salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet and toss everything together until well combined and heated through. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra parmesan if desired. Serve hot straight from the pan.
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